The city's neighborhoods show investment value

Kudos to the PG's Diana Nelson Jones for her continuing interest in and appreciation of the challenges and opportunities Pittsburgh's neighborhoods encounter ("Manchester Residents Hope to Have History on Their Side," June 1, and "East Liberty Becomes a Vibrant Community," June 8).

Manchester is implementing a solid development plan, yet this story illustrates the dilemma responsible property owners face in the wake of today's economic downturn. The East Liberty story demonstrates the benefit of allowing time for plans to come to fruition. Similar efforts are stimulating Uptown revitalization. All three have some common denominators -- a collaborative plan, funding and resident involvement.

All three -- and dozens of others in our diverse Pittsburgh neighborhoods -- are bellwethers of a sea change that bodes well for property and infrastructure development, jobs, safety and quality of life. Multi-neighborhood collaborations are taking root to revitalize whole corridors. Pittsburgh Partnership for Neighborhood Development not only helps to leverage funding (predevelopment assistance, for example), but also adds value to these comprehensive efforts by bringing leadership and creative thinking together to promote systemic, sustainable change.

The character of our neighborhoods distinguishes Pittsburgh as much as any other economic driver. Residents maintain greenspace. They are vigilant in crime watch efforts.

At a time when the city must manage precious resources while simultaneously putting on its best face for the coming G-20 summit, why not follow the example of the neighborhood organizations and their residents who are rising to the occasion and doing their part year-round.

Neighborhood events abound at this time of year. Summer is a marvelous time to explore these communities to see what creative investment, communitywide and inclusive planning and engaged residents produce for the benefit of all of us.

ELLEN KIGHT
President
Pittsburgh Partnership for Neighborhood Development
Downtown