january 2017 eid summary

WHAT IS AN ECOINNOVATIONDISTRICT plan?

A community plan focused on equitable growth, economic development, and sustainability.

Centered around Uptown/West Oakland, this EcoInnovation District plan will be created WITH you and include your ideas FOR YOUR COMMUNITY. This includes ensuring that improvements here reinforce the work already underway in the Hill District.

But none focus specifically on uptown / west Oakland. The opportunity here is to support the work of Oakland 2025, the greater hill district master plan and greenprint to name a few while identifying specific improvements in uptown / west oakland.

Yes, there have been other plans

The process has been an opportunity to bring community members together and talk about their hopes for the future

The strategies for uptown / west Oakland came directly from these conversations.

(TO DATE)

This plan was built with uptown [partners, Oakland Planning & development corporation, the city of Pittsburgh, residents, business owners, local service providers, and key institutions.

vision:

Uptown/West Oakland will reinforce Pittsburgh as a hub of innovation and serve as a model for equitable growth, economic opportunity and sustainability.

> As Pittsburgh’s healthiest community, Uptown/West Oakland will test new tools and innovative techniques to improve the quality of the community’s air, water and land for the benefit of its residents, businesses, employees and the Hill District at large.

> We will be intentional in fostering an inclusive and diverse community while encouraging new housing that will support new stores, new businesses and new jobs for residents.

> Strategic investments in our infrastructure will improve and expand the community’s green space, create safe streets and, provide transportation choices for all.

Community Goals:

PRESERVE ANDSTRENGTHENTHE EXISTINGCOMMUNITY

SO WHAT ARE we trying to accomplish?

- Protect affordability- Create jobs for residents- Invest in what makes the

community unique

> Work with banks to address credit issues of local residents.> Connect residents with available housing programs.> Monitor housing conditions and report nuisance properties.

> Uptown / West Oakland needs a Housing Advocate to:

> Put the proposed Housing Trust Fund to work in Uptown for housing rehabilitation support for owner–occupied and rental housing

> Adjust the Homestead Exemption

> Local partners need to work with the City to implement the Affordable Housing Task Force Plan:

WE NEED TO INVEST IN EXISTING RESIDENTS & PROTECT THE RESIDENTIAL CORE OF THE COMMUNITY

TAXES

LAND

• The next assessments are in 2021 so we have 4 years to pursue a Longtime Owners Occupants Program (LOOP) program. Modeled from Philadelphia, this is a real estate tax freeze. BUT, Pittsburgh needs State authorization to start the program.

• To protect long-time affordability for owners and renters, we should create a Land Trust operated by a non-profit.

But what about the cost of land and taxes?

> We need to support weatherization and basic systems rehabilitation for existing homes.

The other thing we can do is lower the utility costs and the costs to fix your home when necessary

Repairing or weatherizing a home requires work. As do many of the things contained in this plan. We need to connect residents to these job opportunities by partnering with organizations that provide training.

> We have active artists and, due to the area’s location, a highly visible canvas for more public art

> Perception is reality so issues around lighting, blight and illegal dumping need to be addressed

We also need to address some quality of life issues like the look and feel of the community

> Create a “chamber” of local institutions to coordinate services and responses to local issues / concerns like illegal dumping and traffic

As Uptown moves forward, the 27 service providers should be an active part of its future – its one of the things that make the community unique

ENCOURAGE BALANCED, EQUITABLE, AND GREEN DEVELOPMENT

Those that know the community best remember when fifth avenue looked like this.

Unfortunately, fifth avenue today too often looks like this.

What If we could replace parking lots and the empty land in the community with something else?

If we encouraged new housing for all family sizes and incomes, we could again support local stores.

“When I was a child there were a lot of stores up and down Fifth and Forbes Avenues- there were a lot of mom and pop stores, small businesses. There are some opening up near the university, but there aren’t many stores left. “

But today, zoning in Uptown doesn’t work. New construction would look something like this, a lot of variances and ground floor parking (instead of retail). This is expensive for developers and bad for residents.

So we should change the zoning to get more of what we want. The approach is to both allow for higher densities and protect the core of the neighborhood.

The emphasis is to promote small scale infill in the residential core and develop a mix of uses on key sites.

Imagine new uses filling space within empty and underused buildings which will help to preserve the community’s character

Imagine new development at 5th and Dinwiddie that includes a civic plaza – one that helps to connect Uptown to the Hill District.

What 5th and Dinwiddie looks like today

What 5th and Dinwiddie could like in the future

New infill development provides housing and space for jobs as well as improved infrastructure throughout the community.

And close to the Arena, there are opportunities for more density designed to support more retail services. The potential density is achieved by meeting affordable housing and stormwatergoals.

To capture this potential, the EcoInnovation District is seeking to replace the existing zoning with a new one – the UPTOWN PUBLIC REALM DISTRICT. The intent is to set rules customized to each part of the community while encouraging the development of affordable units and green infrastructure.

FOUR[potential sub-districts:> ARENA DISTRICT

> To encourage mixed use development> Height bonus achieved through incentives

> RESIDENTIAL CORE DISTRICT> Preserve the existing small scale residential community> Encourage small scale infill development> Encourage creative/industrial uses in existing suitable buildings.

> GATEWAY DISTRICT> To encourage a mixed-use and green gateway to Uptown / West Oakland.

> HILLSIDE PARK DISTRICT> To encourage public use of the Hillside for open space, trails and infrastructure (stormwater

management, air quality monitoring, food production)> To manage development on sites not limited by steep slopes in line with EcoInnovation District

goals

The new zoning should set both base requirements and performance metrics that, IF MET, WOULD ENABLE HIGHER DENSITIES WHERE APPROPRIATE

BASE REQUIREMENTS> MUST DEMONSTRATE OBSOLENCE TO DEMOLISH BUILDINGS> NO GROUND LEVEL STRUCTURED PARKING ON 5TH / FORBES> NO STAND ALONE SURFACE PARKING> STRUCTURED PARKING MUST BE SCREENED & ADAPTABLE> ACTIVE OUTREACH REQUIRED> ACTIVE GROUND FLOOR USES & GROUND FLOOR TRANSPARENCY

A FEW SCENARIOS

DISTRICT PARKING + BATTERY STORAGE + COMBINED HEAT & POWER + BIKE STORAGE AND BIKE SHARE + SOLAR + AIR MONITORING…

A key component of the new zoning is to separate parking requirements from each development site. Instead, parking is managed at the district scale which is more efficient. This is how its envisioned – as community infrastructure hubs that provide not just parking but also district energy and other amenities.

DISTRICT PARKING + BATTERY STORAGE + COMBINED HEAT & POWER + BIKE STORAGE AND BIKE SHARE + SOLAR + AIR MONITORING…

Here is a smaller scale version within a parking lot.

If we change zoning and encourage investment, what could this mean for Uptown / West Oakland?

TODAY> Households: 691 total -

264 affordable rental units

> Vacant commercial space: 300,500 sq. ft.

> Open Space: 4.8 acres

> On- and Off-Street Parking: 7,304 spaces

POTENTIALLY…> Households: 2,400+ total

-- 400+ NEW affordable rental units

> Rehabilitated commercial workspace: 300,500 sq. ft.

> New ground floor commercial space: 180,000 sq. ft.

> New office / research / workspace: 360,000 sq. ft.

> Open Space: 15.06 acres

> On- and Off-Street Parking: 7,582 spaces

PROVIDE CHOICE IN MOBILITY & ACCESSIBILITY

uptown / west Oakland is dominated by car traffic resulting in “places” like this.

RESIDENTS HAVE TALKED ABOUT ISSUES WITH SPEEDING TRAFFIC

The result is far too many crashes, many involving pedestrians. Note the darker blue areas – these are hotspots of crashes in 2013-2014. we need safer streets for everyone.

WE NEED TO INCREASE TRANSPORATION CHOICE TO DECREASE CONGESTION

Uptown has way too many cars passing through but also a large number commuting to work in the community – almost 7 in 10 are driving a car

It goes without saying that the space a car takes up is significantly more than that of a bike or multiple people riding a bus. Too many cars result in congestion and poor air quality

We need to offer true choice in how to get around. If you want to drive, you should be able to do so but if you want to take transit, bike or walk, these should also be safe and efficient options.

To offer choice, we have to fix the infrastructure – it’s the only way to provide streets that are safe for children and those with disabilities

And there is great need in the community. We need a lot of money to address the existing infrastructure issues

A DEDICATED BUS LANE OPENS UP FUNDING WE WOULD NOT HAVE ACCESS TO OTHERWISE TO FIX THESE ISSUES WITH OUR STREETS AND INFRASTRUCTURE

AND THESE UPGRADES DON’T INCLUDE STREET or INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS

SO how COULD IT WORK? THERE ARE OPTIONS

TODAY, THE WIDTH OF BOTH 5TH AND FORBES ENCOURAGES speeding.

BOTH OF THESE OPTIONS SHOW SPACE FOR CARS, PARKING, BUSES, BIKES AND PEDESTRIANS. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THE LOCATION OF THE BIKE LANE. A similar approach can be taken to 5TH AVENUE.

Brt rendering

Imagine streets that are safe for all, that help to reduce congestion and are attractive for new and existing businesses

Imagine the opportunity to address severe safety issues like this – the longest crosswalk in Pittsburgh?

Imagine creating a new plaza and improving safety for pedestrians

BOULEVARD OF THE ALLIES: The original idea…

“With an ample roadway for all kinds of traffic, with trees for shade and decoration, with a broad promenade overlooking the river and the hills to the south, it would furnish rare and much-needed facilities for recreation”

1910 Olmstead plan for pittsburgh

Besides neighborhood streets, we should start a conversation about the future of the boulevard of the allies

What it became…

…and how it evolved

Look at the license plate – you can’t make this up

For blank buildings For empty / underused lots For intersections

So what could be done? There are some ideas that can be done without any changes to the Blvd itself. Improvements like these could help to create a buffer between Uptown and the Blvd and, present a much better face to those passing by…

Today, the Blvd functions like this

+- Creates large promenade- Opportunity for landscaping- Retains 2 driving lanes during

high traffic times

-- Expensive- Requires active

management / monitoring

Imagine a trail overlooking the River. This option allows the same number of cars to pass through by using a middle alternating lane

+- Creates large promenade- Opportunity for median

landscaping – a true boulevard!-

- Very expensive- Politically very

difficult to accomplish

Alternatively, we could just create a turn lane to allow better access to uptown and enable a lot more green space along the Blvd

The Blvd could be a very different space – one that allows passing traffic but also offers amenities for uptown residents

Imagine transforming the Boulevard of the Allies, a highway only in Uptown, from this…

…to this – Uptown’s Riverfront

INVEST IN SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE

“Sustainable infrastructure” like addressing stormwater runoff, flooding and energy

“More green spaces like a play ground and place for the kids to play. They are always outside, which is great, but have to play baseball in the streets and explore the alleys for fun.”

“Severe runoff is a problem, especially in heavy rainstorms water cascades from Fifth to Forbes, via connector streets such as Moultrie.”

And residents agree, we need more green space…

Imagine energy efficient, inexpensive and resilient energy…made in the community

Combined heat and power solar

Here are the two main technologies to make this happen. Solar and Natural Gas combined heat and power units distributed across the neighborhood

The improvements along Fifth and Forbes enables us to provide district energy – we add the micro-grid while the streets are being improved.

> Installing high-efficiency lighting systems and controls> LED interior lights and street lights> Occupancy and daylight controls

> Converting electric air conditioning to: > Gas fired absorption chillers> Gas fired heat pumps

> Expanding opportunities for small Combined Heat and Power systems in commercial and multifamily new construction

Embedding these strategies in zoning and building codes would increase the use of renewable energy in Uptown and create jobs in the installation and maintenance of these systems

But we also need to Reduce energy demand by:

With respect to stormwater, this plan follows the PWSA’s approach but also the desires of the residents – to better manage water through the design of local parks. There are a number of opportunities for new park spaces:

Co

mm

un

ity

pa

rk

:T

us

tin

st

re

et

Civ

ic p

la

za

:5

th

/ d

inw

idd

ieWe asked residents about programming, here are some of the ideas

This is a key opportunity – to expand and connect the Tustin Street Tot Lot and Tustin Gardens while addressing stormwater issues along Tustin Street

Imagine if Tustin Street was a true community space – a place where kids and their parents could meet their neighbors

Watson street near boydfloods…a lot. What if we created a “blue alley” to better manage this issue but also retain parking and create some outdoor space?

Another key opportunity – Watson Street near Boyd Street. Site of some flooding but also the location of a homeless drop-in center

Watson street near boydfloods…a lot. What if we created a “blue alley” to better manage this issue but also retain parking and create some outdoor space?

Imagine if this street provided outdoor space for the clients of the drop-in center and reduced localized flooding…

“We absolutely need a clear and safe connection to the heritage trail through this area”

But what about a broader approach? Thinking of the hillside as a park, managing stormwater and extending connections to the Hill District and the Heritage Trail

What if the Hillside were redesigned to slow stormwater coming down the hill and include overlooks. These overlooks would be part of a larger trail network nestled within an “edible forest.” The overlooks could include air quality monitors to measure air quality.

A major opportunity is to reconnect MLK Gardens with new trails and potentially an extension of De Raud Street.

Extending from the Hillside, imagine if Colwell Street was a “green connector” – a trail from the Hillside to Albert “Turk” Graham Park in the Hill. A fitness trail that can be used by clients of the Center for Hearing and Deaf Services as well as other local service providers.

Down from the Hillside, imagine a “Freeway Park” under the Birmingham Bridge designed to manage stormwater, clean the air and connect residents to the Heritage Trail.

What is now a “moonscape” could be much different

implementATION

1. Traditional community planning Neighborhood capacity, City priorities and institutional support

2. Statutory/regulatory approval from Harrisburg

3. Examine non-traditional funding sourcesInnovative programs/non-traditional financingBest practices

THIS IS WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO FUND

1. ORGANIZING: business retention, administering housing programs / activities, land acquisition, linking to training programs, community events, transportation demand management, clean & safe, art

2. ADVOCACY: tax policy changes at State level, energy tariff for district energy at the state, PennDOT coordination and, local advocacy to steer dollars (like the housing trust fund) to Uptown

3. ZONING: re-writing local codes to support EID goals

4. MIXED INCOME HOUSING DEVELOPMENT: development of affordable housing and new market-rate housing

5. ACADEMIC VILLAGE: Development of Duquesne Light site plus connection with local academic programs / institutions

6. COMMERCIAL WORKSPACE CREATION / REHAB: working to secure financing / subsidy for ground floor retail / commercial space and rehabbing existing buildings for small businesses

7. BUS RAPID TRANSIT: full reconstruction of 5th / Forbes

8. COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE HUBs: development a prototypical hub with energy, bike share, stormwater and parking - either a garage or lot or both

9. STORMWATER PARKS: 5th & Dinwiddie, Tustin Street, Hillside, Watson Alley, Highway Park (around Birmingham Bridge)

10. DISTRICT ENERGY: installation of Solar PV, battery storage, CHP and digester gas power generation systems interconnected by a micro grid to ensure secure electricity supply to Uptown

11. Performance: installation, maintenance and monitoring of smart sensors and real-time data

HOW DO WE PAY FOR IT???

> Federal, State, Local funding opportunities• Federal resources expected to be directed to BRT and related infrastructure• Local funding required for Federal match• Competitive state programs (RACP, GTRP, MTF, LIHTC, etc)

> Utilize the DCED Neighborhood Assistance Program• Competitive program

> NID / BID• Requires agreement of major institutions and business owners

> Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing• Requires changes to State regulations

> Carbon Trading• Requires changes to State regulations

> District Energy Micro-Grid Financing• Requires changes to State regulations

> TRID / Value Capture

> Pay for Success Social Impact Bond

Pay for Success – social impact bond for Green Infrastructure

Create mechanism to capture some of the anticipated value to help pay for the improvement

Property Assessed Clean Energy Financing

Voluntary assessment on property to pay for efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation projects

Can pay for 100% of hard & soft costs with financing up to 20 years

Can be combined with other programs – impact of TRID unclear

Filed as a lien on property – PACE financing stays with property

Surrounding states have access to this mechanism

May be possible through existing statutory structures such as Neighborhood Improvement Districts

TRID impact unclear – it is not a TIF –more like a special assessment

This structure may be available for green infrastructure such as green roofs and site specific improvements

Carbon trading

California carbon auction – now linked with Quebec, Ontario, ManitobaCan Pittsburgh participate on its own?

> ?

Today, a community facing a lot of challenges, some traditional and some unique

> ?

Imagine an Uptown / West Oakland that puts new technologies & design techniques to work for the community and serves as a model for community revitalization

> ?

Promoting EcoInnovation through technologies & design approaches

> ?

Linked to innovative financing mechanisms to capture the benefits and support some of the capital costs

> ?

And supporting job development by linking job training for new construction technology

We are currently working on ways to ensure these things happen.

Want to learn more? Visit ecoinnovationdistrict.org

THANK YOU! > ?

january 2017 eid summary

Design