Biddle Building Continues to Transform

By Stephen Hirtle

The historic at 800 S. Braddock Ave. on the eastern edge of Frick Park near the red clay tennis courts continues to get a remarkable .  

New gutters were installed this spring by the Pittsburgh Department of Public Works, which allowed the installation of a brick red rain barrel in conjunction with theWatershed Association rain barrel initiative. This was followed by the construction of a community rain garden through the joint efforts of NMRWA, the  and the

As a final step, a group of volunteers from the FPTCC joined Kelly Ogrodnik, Sustainable Design and Programs Manager from Phipps Conservatory, and added a collection of sustainable plants in front of the Biddle Building this week, which highlights a new sustainable landscape initiative at Phipps.

“As part of Phipps' mission, which is dedicated to sustainable landscapes and outreach in the community, we've designed the Biddle Building's garden with Phipps' 'Top 10' Sustainable Plants. At Phipps, we believe that good gardening practices begins with smart plant selection. Once established, these 'Top 10' Sustainable Plants will require minimal maintenance, water, and fertilizer needs, and are disease and pest resistant,” said Ogrodnik.

Later this fall, signage about the rain garden and the sustainable landscape will be added, so that local homeowners can plan their own gardens along ecologically sound standards. For a complete list of Phipp’s Top 10 Plants and, as well as local nurseries that carry these plants, visit Phipps' website:

http://phipps.conservatory.org/project-green-heart/green-heart-resources/index.aspx.

In the meantime, local residents are encouraged to stop by and visit the new gardens that have been planted at the Biddle Building.