Monday, May 20, 2013
The program has helped expand small businesses and more.
From facilitating the expansion of restaurants and other small businesses, to providing creative space for artists and community gardeners, the Allegheny County Vacant Property Recovery Program is working to be a vital tool for community renewal in Wilkinsburg. Expanding a Small Business Alaa Aqra, owner of Al’s Fish and Chicken, recently utilized the VPRP to acquire a derelict house on the lot adjacent to his restaurant at Penn Avenue and Coal Street. He plans to demolish the house and gain needed space to provide safe, well-lit off-street parking for his customers. Aqra, an immigrant from Palestine who also works as a court interpreter, runs a translation service, and is completing his MBA at Point Park University, learned about the …
Monday, March 25, 2013
The Wilkinsburg Community Development Corporation will visit the liquor license referendum in 2015.
The Wilkinsburg Community Development Corporation led a campaign to get a referendum on the April 24 primary election ballot that would allow restaurants to apply for liquor licenses from Pennsylvania, but fell short of the 2,010 signatures that were required. During a three-week collection period, 15 local businesses and 19 volunteer residents were able to collect 844 signatures from registered voters and spread awareness. Salvatore’s, a local business in favor of the referendum, promoted the campaign by printing advertisements on receipts, putting up posters, and advertising on their digital sign along Penn Avenue. “I do not understand why people think that our community is different than Bloomfield, Shadyside or other areas that have …
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Wilkinsburg Community Development Corp. will pursue a liquor license referendum for local restaurants in next April's primary election.
Wilkinsburg Community Development Corp. will seek to get a referendum on the primary election ballot next April allowing restaurants in Wilkinsburg to apply for and receive liquor licenses from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The board of directors voted Nov. 17 to approve the effort to pursue “R” liquor licenses as part of the Business District Revitalization Plan adopted by the Wilkinsburg Borough in June 2010. According to a news release, the board said it believes restaurant liquor licenses can attract new businesses to Wilkinsburg and increase investment in the area. The WCDC will hold public meetings to garner input. From Jan. 24 to Feb. 14, 2013, the WCDC will collect the 2,189 signatures needed to get the referendum on the ballot…
Friday, June 29, 2012
The borough is celebrating its anniversary!
The year 2012 marks the 125th anniversary of Wilkinsburg, which was officially established as a borough on October 5, 1887. This historic event will be commemorated throughout the year with the theme: “Celebrating the Past, Present and Future.” As part of the celebration, a 125th Community Unity Festival Picnic will be held from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 1 at Hunter Park. The free event will include grilled treats, beverages, games, face painting, baseball and live entertainment. The American Wind Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Robert Austin Boudreau, who is doing a world tour, will perform in Pittsburgh and dedicate the concert to Wilkinsburg at Point State Park on Saturday, July 14. In October, there will be a three-day celebration…
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Check out the latest news from the Wilkinsburg Community Development Corp.
- VOLUNTEERS IN THE NEWS
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Sunday, April 22, 2012
Three nonprofit housing groups, facilitated by the Wilkinsburg Community Development Corp. have come together to form the Wilkinsburg Affordable Housing Coalition and provide extensive renovation assistance to targeted homeowners in the Princeton Park and Park Triangle areas of the borough. Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh and Wilkinsburg Christian Housing have all previously served Wilkinsburg residents. “It’s a perfect blend of the three agencies,” said Tracey Evans, executive director of the WCDC. “The coalition of Rebuilding Together, partnering with Habitat’s Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative program, and Wilkinsburg Christian Housing resources will demonstrate the productivity feasible …
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Get the basics on how to start a business.
- BUSINESS
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Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Wilkinsburg Community Development Corporation is hosting a small business financing workshop at 6 p.m., April 12, at Hosanna House. Located at 807 Wallace Avenue, the free event is open to existing and start-up businesses in the Wilkinsburg area. The workshop provides an “insider” look at how commercial loan applications are underwritten. The purpose is to provide shared resources and help businesses prepare for successful loan applications. Presenters include: John T. Quinn, Loan Representative, Business Banking, and Ray Garofalo, Assistant Vice President, Community Development, Dollar Bank; Becky MacBlane, Regional Development Funding Corporation; and John Dobransky, Small Business Development Center, University of Pittsburgh Center for …
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
The funds are available for youth and education initiatives.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
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Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Wilkinsburg Community Development Corporation is seeking funding applications from Wilkinsburg-based groups and organizations that support academic and civic endeavors of youth in the borough. A total of $3,000 is available and may be awarded in its entirety or in smaller amounts to multiple groups. Applications are available at the WCDC website, www.wilkinsburgcdc.org, or at the WCDC office, and must be submitted by March 30. Applications will be evaluated on the number of Wilkinsburg youth that are served, projects that support low to moderate income individuals or census tracts, and improvements that can be measured. Further consideration will be given for partnerships or collaborations, projects that support the mission of the …
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
News from Wilkinsburg.
- BUSINESS
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Tuesday, February 28, 2012
The PNC Foundation has awarded a $10,000 grant to Wilkinsburg Community Development Corporation to continue a successful real estate website featuring commercial properties in Wilkinsburg. Launched in May 2010, the website features 24 properties and averages over 20 views per day. Two properties have sold successfully, and significant leads have been generated for others. The site—www.downtownwilkinsburgparealestate.com—is part of a targeted marketing program by WCDC to increase interest among business owners, investors and real estate developers to lease or purchase commercial properties in the Wilkinsburg business district. The grant from the PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group, …
We recently sat down with the local executive director of the WCDC and here's what she had to say!
Tracey Evans, executive director of the Wilkinsburg Community Development Corporation and a council member since 2006 in the same borough, recently talked about her role in the community with Patch. She's held the executive position role for about a year and a half and looks forward to a bright future for Wilkinsburg, where she has lived for 25 years. How did you get involved in the community on this level? Back in 2004, I was only working part-time and being a stay-at-home mom and wanted to fix the park up in my neighborhood. I started going to council meetings and discovered there are a lot of other issues that needed to be solved. I met other folks who were also interested in getting involved and we started working together to do that. …
Thursday, January 26, 2012
The organization received a third funding payment from Tristate Capital Bank.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
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Thursday, January 26, 2012
Wilkinsburg Community Development Corporation recently received a Neighborhood Partnership Program renewal resulting in an additional $350,000 in funding from TriState Capital Bank. This is the third installment by TriState of a six-year commitment to the WCDC to assist in Wilkinsburg’s Business District revitalization efforts, as well as affordable housing, crime prevention, green initiatives, and youth engagement. The grant provides funding to the WCDC through The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development’s Neighborhood Partnership Program. Landmarks Community Capital Corporation will receive a portion of the funds in a collaborative arrangement for reinvestment in the community. TriState’s six-year …
Daniel Santiago
11:09 am on Thursday, November 29, 2012
Wilkinsburg is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. more ›