hazelwood: stakeholders (i)
3 min readJan 23, 2017
- used to have a lot of activity (churches, bars, stores, banks)
- white flight (60, 70s), segregated neighborhoods (the black street, white street), post-MLK, unearthed racism/more blatant (ie 2nd ave race riots), trauma in community from institutionalized racism
- mill shut down in 1990s, brownfield site seperated by railroad, blocked access to river
- now rebranded into almono (ALleghenyMONogahelaOhio), consortium of Heinz Endowments and the Benedum, Richard King Mellon and McCune foundations, Uber set up test track, more infrastructure development to further growth
- also build housing (close to Oakland, Downtown)
- many excited for growth, nervous about distinction between new/old
- diverse neighborhood, many proud of roots, part of community fabric (not mutually exclusive)
- historically Hungarian neighborhood
- Alex Bodnar (Jozsa Corner), “We haven’t had that kind of attention for years…the city itself didn’t give us the attention that we should get, we were always the stepchildren” glad to see young people come in
- Tim Smith, always close knit neighborhood but underserved, drugs & guns became fake power and control, people left because no economic opportunity after mills closed
- as property values increase, taxes will increase, how to ensure affordability allow residents to stay
- residents need to have access to the opportunity from businesses coming in (know what jobs, present qualified candidates) or build a job from the business, control local economy
- PTC and Waterfront nearby brownfield conversions, cut off from rest of community
- “The challenge with the brownfield is if the connections are not done well,” Tilghman says, “it could be something that separates and divides, rather than brings us together.”
- “Smaller investors, residents and non-profits are getting a head start to ensure that a giant riverfront development doesn’t dictate the neighborhood’s course.”
- Population (2010 Census): 4,317
- By age: 24.2 percent under 18; 14.3 percent 65 and older
- Home ownership: 28.8 percent
- Average home sale price: $24,156
- Householders living alone: 37.9 percent
- Renter-occupied: 45.1 percent
- Vacant property rate: 20.2 percent
- Vacant land parcels: 25.43 percent
- Neighborhood wary of speculators and flippers (drive prices up without adding value), Hazelwood Intiative buying up vacant homes, offering discounted repairs, homeownership incubator
- ACTION-Housing: renovate old church into Carnegie Library branch, (Early Learning Hub, Greater Hazelwood Family Center), redevelop properties for La Gourmandine and Community Kitchen
- City Councilman Corey O’Connor
- Rev. Leslie Boone, co-founder of Fishes and Loaves Cooperative Ministries
- Regional Industrial Development Corp (RIDC) manage Almono, has held over 100 community meetings
- Tecumseh Team LLC, provide culinary vocational training, started mini marketplace, intends on opening indoor food market
- D.C.-based Telesis Corp (“plans, finances and creates urban communities that are livable, beautiful, civil, and safe”) possible residential and commercial construction.
- Action Housing gets funding from PNC, Heinz Endowments, and URA, plan on opening grocery store (currently: jitneys to Sq Hill)
- new developments: Propel school K-12 (8/14), Dylamato’s market (2/16)
