P1120116, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from wyliepoon’s photostream

Facing a $64 million deficit in its operating budget for the coming fiscal year, The Port Authority of Allegheny County has recently announced service reductions which the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has called “the largest cut in the agency’s 48-year history”:

Venerable bus routes serving Mt. Lebanon, Coraopolis, Green Tree, Mount Washington, Oakmont, Edgewood and Sewickley will be among 46 routes eliminated by the Port Authority in September if there is no solution to a statewide transportation funding crisis.

Riders who aren’t stranded will pay more — the authority plans a 25-cent increase in the base Zone 1 fare, to $2.50, on July 1. Zone 2 rides will go up 50 cents, to $3.75. It will be the fourth fare increase in the past 4 1/2 years. The last was in January 2011.

As part of a 35 percent reduction in service hours that would take effect Sept. 2 — the largest cut in the agency’s 48-year history — all of the authority’s current 102 bus and rail routes would be scaled back, some ending altogether and others with deep drops in off-peak and weekend service, according to a summary released by the authority.

On all but 13 routes, service would terminate at or around 10 p.m. daily. Weekend service would be eliminated on the Blue Line of the Light Rail Transit system.

In the same article, Port Authority CEO Steve Bland has said of the cuts, “If we have to go through with these reductions, my feeling is it’s the beginning of the end of public transit as a significant carrier in the region.”

Port Authority has put out PDF brochures that detail both the lines affected and the increases in fares. The brochure covering general fare and service changes can be found here. ACCESS (65 Plus and ADA Eligible) service and fares will also not be sparred. A brochure outlining those changes is available here.

Riders and community members have the opportunity to comment on these proposed fare and service changes during Port Authority’s public comment period and public hearing.

The public comment period runs from Sunday, February 5, 2012 through Friday, March 9, 2012 at 4 p.m. You can comment online here. Additionally, comments will be accepted by mailing the following address:

Port Authority Fare & Service Proposals
Heinz 57 Center
345 Sixth Avenue, Floor 3
Pittsburgh PA, 15222-2527

There will also be a public hearing:

Port Authority Public Hearing
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown Pittsburgh

(Individuals wishing to testify are encouraged to pre-register by calling 412-566-5437 [TTY: 412-231-7007] from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekdays. Oral testimony will be limited to three minutes per speaker. Those who have not pre-registered may register at the hearing and will be called on as time slots become available. Port Authority will provide a sign language interpreter at the hearing as well as Braille copies of informational documents.)

More information is available at Port Authority’s website here.

Gov. Tom Corbett did not annouce any specific plans to help this transportation crisis during his budget address yesterday. The proposed changes will be devasting to public transit users. Please add your voice to the public record!

T Lightrail an der Station Square, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from kaffeeeinstein’s photostream

Time is Short, Go Fast, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from TracerBullet999′s photostream

Did you know that the average household spends 20% of its income on transportation? Would you like to participate in the the planning process that will guide transportation decisions and spending in Pittsburgh for the next 25 years? If so, we have a meeting for you.

MOVEPGH is a part of PLANPGH, the City of Pittsburgh’s first-ever comprehensive plan. The goal of MOVEPGH is to “[p]rovide a transportation network that is safe and efficient while meeting the City’s transportation needs.” The City expects the transportation needs of this area to grow because it anticipates a rise in population over the next few decades due, in part, to all of the favorable publicity the City is rightfully receiving. However, with all our great assets, the City has a fixed, established street network — as do most older cities. The plan must accommodate not only the needs of cars and public transit, but walkers and bikers — providing the the kind of wide range of transportation options that attract urban dwellers.

To Northside, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from inorman88′s photostream

The planning process for MOVEPGH is being led by the Pittsburgh Department of City Planning. Nine top transportation planning and engineering firms from around the country are participating as consultants. But, they also want and need your input. On Thursday, MOVEPGH will conduct a public kick-off meeting for the transportation plan. Attend and add your voice to the process.

MOVEPGH Public Kickoff Meeting
WHEN: Thursday February 2, 2012, from 6 to 8 PM.
WHERE: Building #3B (Porter Hall) off Frew Street on the Carnegie Mellon University Campus (Oakland). (map)

For additional information, please see the meeting flyer here. If you have special needs for attending this meeting, contact Patrick Roberts at 412-255-2224.

From the stage #79, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from dbwalker’s photostream

Pittsburgh institution, John McIntire, will be hosting three other Pittsburgh institutions this Saturday. The John McIntire Dangerously Live Comedy Show features local journalists, politicians, comics and celebrities saying the kinds of things you usually only hear off the record, but live on stage. The panelists for January’s show are nationally-known forensic pathologist and loquacious talker Dr. Cyril Wecht, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and syndicated award-winning cartoonist Rob Rogers, and our very own Councilman Bill Peduto!

The theme is Incivility Rules:

Lack of civility! When did we all start hating each other?

You see it on the roads with tailgaters. You see it with people who refuse to stop staring at their I-phones to actually speak. You see it in the over heated political discourse. We can’t stand one another. We’re aggressive. We’re dismissive. We’re condescending. (Or maybe that’s just McIntire).

You can expect a thoroughly irreverent and fun time as John and guests riff on the topic. Also, you get a bonus set of “honest absurdity” from featured comedian Gab Bonesso (named “The Best Comedian in Pittsburgh” by both Pittsburgh Magazine and Pittsburgh City Paper).

John McIntire Dangerously Live Comedy Show
Presented by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
WHEN: Saturday, January 28, 2012, 10:30 PM
WHERE: The Cabaret at Theater Square, 655 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 (map)
COST: Only $5! *Ticket holders from any earlier show downtown gain free admission (based on seating availability; must show ticket stub for free admission).

More information available here.

57, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from Thomas Hawk’s photostream

Surely, there are hundreds of reasons to want to live in Pittsburgh, but Yinzpiration chose to highlight a nice round number (for Pittsburgh) of 57. Yinzpiration is the brainchild of Kate Stoltzfus, a non-native, who, “[i]nspired by the positive energy of the Steel City,” is interviewing 100 Burghers. She’s nearly halfway there. (You can nominate who “yinzpires” you here.) In the meantime, she’s compiled some of her favorite Pittsburgh tweeps’ reasons for why we love to live in this city.

Some reasons are literary:

Some are boastful:

Some require you to actually be a Burgher to get:

But, many are simply heartfelt:

You can view all 57 here and you can tweet you own reason at #57ReasonsPGH.

The David L. Lawrence Convention Center, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from glindsay65′s photostream

The Green Building Alliance (GBA) is one of the first U.S. Green Building Council affiliate organizations in the country and a national pioneer in promoting green building. Created in 1993, this nonprofit strives to drive market demand for both green buildings and green building products, helping Western PA achieve national prominence in LEED-certified buildings. GBA programs include giving project assistance for green buildings including resources for funding, LEED rating systems and green building practices; providing educational opportunities for industry professionals; driving the development of a large-scale database for analyzing sustainable and high performance buildings; promoting the greening of schools, and more. Since 1998, over 6,000 people have attended GBA workshops and training events.

Now, GBA is seeking assistance to help shape the future of green buildings in Western PA. In collaboration with USGBC chapters and affiliates nationwide, GBA is conducting a survey of the community to determine regional priority issues for this area. The survey takes only five minutes and the input will be considered in GBA’s recommendations for LEED 2012 regional priority credits. What issues do you think are most important to this region? Brownfields? Stormwater runoff? Urban sprawl? You can make your voice heard here.

Tree, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0)image from glindsay65′s photostream

Tree Pittsburgh is an environmental non-profit organization. Their mission is to enhance Pittsburgh’s vitality by restoring and protecting our city trees. As part of that mission, Tree Pittsburgh and their partners are currently developing the city’s very first Urban Forest Master Plan — “an initiative that will align the community around a shared vision for protecting, growing and maintaining our urban forest for future generations, creating substantial returns from a singular investment.” Public involvement and input is crucial to the development of the plan. To that end, Tree Pittsburgh is asking Pittsburghers to take a very short survey on their likes and dislikes about urban trees. They need as many Pittsburghers as possible to take the survey by the end of this month. Participants can register to win Giant Eagle gift cards and Tree Pittsburgh T-shirts, tote bags and more!

Pittsburgh’s urban forest is a treasure. It not only delights residents, but is also a revelation to visitors to our city. Moreover, our trees provide numerous practical benefits such as soaking up stormwater runoffs, helping prevent hillside erosion and cleaning our air. Please add your voice to the conversation by taking the survey here.

Snowy tree, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0)image from Sgt. Pepperedjane’s photostream

Sarah Street, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from elston’s photostream

There will be two information sessions held this week on the subject of Allegheny County property reassessments. Elected officials will answer questions about the assessments and the appeals process to help insure that property owners will have all the information that they need.

JCC Information Session of Property Reassessments
WHEN: Monday, January 9, 2012, 7:00pm until 9:00pm
WHERE: Jewish Community Center, Levinson Hall B, Kauffman Building, 5738 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217 (map)
WHO: State Representative Dan Frankel, Councilman Corey O’Connor, Councilman Bill Peduto

Information Session on Property Reassessments
WHEN: Wednesday, January 11, 2012, 6:30pm until 8:00pm
WHERE: West Penn Hospital, Wintergarden Auditorium (1st Floor), 4800 Friendship Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224 (map)
WHO: Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, State Representative Dom Costa, Councilman Bill Peduto, Bloomfield Citizens Council

A0448, © Larry Rippel

The following video contains scenes from the 2011 annual Holiday Fete at the former Borders Books in East Liberty. Over 800 friends gathered to enjoy great music, food and drink as well as to share a common belief in a New Pittsburgh. This event has grown into more than a political fundraiser, it is a gathering of like-minded people who love Pittsburgh and want to see it reach its potential.

From all of us at People for Peduto: We wish you and your family Peace throughout the Holiday Season and Happiness in the New Year.

Statue of a Businessman, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from rda’s photostream

Are you a business or legal professional interested in the arts? Then the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council is interested in meeting you! They need business women and men who are interested in donating their professional knowledge to nonprofits through their Business Volunteers for the Arts program. They’re looking for people from all different areas — marketing, accounting, planning, IT, etc. — who are strategic thinkers. If this is something that you’d like to consider doing, they’re sponsoring an event on Monday which will give you ‘a look “under the hood” of the local arts scene’ and give you a better understanding of the needs and challenges of the local arts community.

Business, Meet the Arts!
WHEN: Monday, December 12, 5:30-8 PM
WHERE: Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, 810 Penn Avenue, Suite 200, Downtown (map)
WHAT: Casual evening, Light food & drinks

Presenters include:

Vic Dozzi, CPA, Crawford Ellenbogen

Peggy Outon, Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management

Kate Prescott, Prescott & Associates

David Seals, Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council

Please Please RSVP online or call 412.394.3353.

Have questions or need more information? Contact David Seals , 412.391.2060 x227

[businessmen], a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from david drexler’s photostream

Roll On, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0)image from Jeremy Brooks’ photostream

On November 30th, The Heinz Endowments and the Breathe Project Coalition announced the creation of the Clean Diesel Construction Equipment Retrofit Fund. The fund will provide nearly $1 million to install pollution control equipment on diesel-powered vehicles. The fund is in response to the passage of the historic Clean Air Act by Pittsburgh City Council. The Clean Air Act seeks to reduce particle pollution from diesel emissions by requiring requiring contractors at city-subsidized developments to use cleaner diesel fuel and to have pollution controls on their vehicles and equipment. The diesel emissions from construction contain over 40 toxic air contaminants, carcinogens, ozone smog-forming compounds, and fine particulate matter (“soot”). Exposure to fine particles is known to cause asthma attacks, heart attacks, lung cancer, strokes, and even premature deaths. It’s estimated that the Clean Air Act will reduce the soot from heavy equipment by 85% or more.

The fund will be added to $920,000 from Allegheny County government now being managed by the Mid-Atlantic Regional Air Management Association. The Coalition funding through the Endowments will extend the reach of the county-wide project, to provide incentives to small construction companies to retrofit pollution-heavy equipment with new technologies. The new funding will allow the program to expand to target additional small construction companies that operate in and around the city of Pittsburgh.

In April, the American Lung Association’s “State of the Air 2011″ report rated Pittsburgh’s air quality as “the nation’s third most polluted area for short-term particle pollution for the second year in a row.” That was highlighted by Forbes magazine which called Pittsburgh the seventh most polluted city in America. In a report on the fund by WTAE News, Endowments President, Bobby Vagt, emphasized the importance of clean air to our economy:

“The critical item to attract and retain people — the kinds of people that are going to work in technology in Pittsburgh — air quality is absolutely vital,”

Councilman Bill Peduto, who was the prime sponsor of the Clean Air Act, echoed Vagt’s comments:

“What we’re trying to do is show that our economic future is contingent on clean air.”

At the press conference for the announcement, Peduto also referred to the range of support for the legislation. The new regulations were endorsed by unions, community groups, business owners and environmentalists. Each of these interests came together to achieve the goal of improving air quality.

Also supporting cleaner diesel emissions is Google Pittsburgh. From Essential Public Radio:

Andrew Moore, with Google Pittsburgh, said that the company attracts some of the best and brightest in the world, and that mostly Pittsburgh is an easy sell, but, “I kind of draw a blank when the question of air quality comes up, and I have to be transparent about it. I tell them that there’s lots of good things about Pittsburgh, but air quality is still a problem.”

The Breathe Project is trying to combat that problem, but is fighting against the notion that an aggressive clean air plan will cost the region jobs and hurt the economy. Moore said that the strength of the economy, however, is directly tied to a healthy environment, which starts with clean air and water.

Construction vehicles in the snow, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0)image from Arabani’s photostream