On the other hand, because of the Arts Initiative there are numerous assets along Penn Avenue that have attracted further investment. Early subsidized projects, such as the Dance Alloy Theater, Pittsburgh Glass Center and numerous micro-funded artists studios, have given way to private investment such as the new restaurant “Salt”, a yoga studio and more. There is momentum.
6% Place
divisive?
The PAAI was launched fifteen years ago. It too was an experiment. Could the arts turn around a blighted and dangerous corridor? In some respects this experiment has been a success, albeit a slow one. The corridor has indeed become known for its arts activities and now attracts people who once would not have set foot there. However, PAAI has not accomplished the more difficult goal it set – to zipper together the neighborhoods on either side of it – Friendship to the south and Garfield to the North. Penn Avenue has become a neighborhood in its own right, but has not successfully bridged the gap between them.
We have heard from numerous residents of Garfield that they feel left out of both the arts activity on Penn Avenue and also business opportunities there. The Avenue does not belong to them.
too much vacant land
Locals also shared the negative side of Garfield and Penn Avenue with us.
There is no Garfield identity. It is a hidden place.
There is little diversity.
Garfield’s houses and the buildings along Penn Avenue are in poor condition. There are too many vacant buildings, too much blight and vacant land. There are too many absentee landlords who don’t care about Garfield and won’t sell.
The neighborhood is littered with trash and weeds. There is too much crime.
There is a deep need for a range of shops – flower, bank, grocery, cafés, barbershops, beauty shops, dry cleaners, soul food and more There is little diversity in the businesses on Penn Avenue. There are no black entrepreneurs and there is no local economy.
There is a lack of sports and family friendly facilities. There is no good field to play on, no swimming pool and no family friendly restaurant.
There is no access to computers. People have no access to information. Without access they cannot find jobs or start businesses. Purposeless and jobless young people are a challenge. It is hard to instill pride and hope in the young people.
While the arts is recognized as a positive influence, the Penn Avenue Arts Initiative has had a divisive effect. It doesn’t belong to Garfield. There is no real invitation into the art galleries to the community.
People feel left out.
I came from San Francisco and stayed for the Penn Avenue arts initiative
Residents of Garfield and Penn Avenue shared the positive side of the neighborhood with us.
“I came from San Francisco and stayed for the Penn Avenue arts initiative,” said one. It’s a place where artists can make a place so they don’t need to go to New York. The art galleries, First Fridays and the Sprout Fund are all assets.
The bus system is good. You can get around.
There are a lot of people who care in Garfield. They care for their houses and each other. There is much pride in Garfield. And there are “lots of lovely children.”
Garfield’s location is good. It seems to be getting back to the kind of neighborhood it was 30 years ago and slowly diversifying. There is a lot going on. There is room here for friends and family and room to grow and there will be 49 new housing units built this year.
The view from the top of the hill is remarkable.
There are some great resources including the community organizations, Garfield Youth Sports and the 2030 Community Plan.
barriers to moving
The perception of Pittsburgh as a tired rust belt city, without much going for it, lingers. Even those who have relocated here say they had this impression before they saw it for themselves.
Garfield is almost invisible. Many people do not know it at all. It is not marked nor it is signposted. There is little media coverage of the neighborhood, good or bad. Buses travel along the edge of the neighborhood, Penn Avenue and bus drivers don’t know where it is either. There are no suggested bike routes through Garfield on Pittsburgh’s bike map and driving through the neighborhood is a detour. It is not a destination nor is it a through route. If someone does know of Garfield, they perceive it as a dangerous place.
considering pittsburgh
What makes people consider Pittsburgh? Here’s what we found …
Connections – People who are connected to Pittsburgh or make a trip to explore it are more likely to come. Family connections locally make the decision to move easier.
Rust belt chic – Those who enjoy grittiness with their city are likely to consider Pittsburgh, visit it, fall in love with it. Some seek the authenticity of a city like Pittsburgh. Others want to downshift from the pace of cities like LA, DC and NY. In Pittsburgh they can find more time for themselves, their families and their own projects, and still live well.
Affordable – People are delighted with being able to afford good sized living spaces on moderate incomes. They can have more stable lives, but perhaps at the cost of more cosmopolitan city assets.
Stepping stones – There is a pattern of people using Pittsburgh on their way to somewhere or something else, or something bigger – it can give you a space to develop yourself, build your profile in an affordable way. Many say they can realize their dreams in Pittsburgh.
Who should we target?
Those who are working relentlessly, with no cash to enjoy the expensive city they live in. Pioneers who want to try out a new place where things happen. Those who want to downsize, reduce the stress in their lives, and improve their quality of life. Those who value the grittiness and authenticity of a place. Those who have creative ambition and do not need to be in a specific place to do their work.