Year in Review - Economic Development South

As we move toward the end of another great year here at Economic Development South, we wanted to take some time to reflect on our accomplishments in 2012.

Economic Development South (EDS) is a local nonprofit community and economic development corporation focused on the redevelopment of the major commercial corridors in our neighborhoods. Member communities include the boroughs of Brentwood, Baldwin and Whitehall; and the City of Pittsburgh neighborhoods of Carrick and Overbrook. The EDS communities total over 57,000 residents and nearly 550 businesses—approximately 5 percent of the total residents and businesses in Allegheny County.

Last year, EDS spent a lot of time raising regional awareness of our organization and the issues that our communities face, issues such as blighted commercial corridors, inaccessible transit options, inconsistent marketing of the many amenities in our region and a lack of coordination across municipal and city-county lines.

EDS is committed to facilitating investment and reinvestment, creating jobs and enhancing the competitiveness of the area. EDS engages in activities and initiatives that seek to reinforce and revitalize local commercial districts while encouraging long-term, sustainable investment in our neighborhoods.

This year, the region began to take notice.

In 2012, Economic Development South successfully raised nearly $500,000 for projects and initiatives in our communities. We received every grant that we applied for and have received several award grants in recognition of our approach and our successes over such a short period. But, this was only possible because of the incredible cooperation and collaboration of our member communities.

Our member neighborhoods have contributed to EDS both financially (through annual contributions to support our operations) and through countless hours of service to our board and committees. We are most pleased to provide a return on that investment. In fact, for every dollar contributed to EDS, we raised almost $10 in grant funds this year. We expect 2013 to be even better.

 Notable EDS 2012 Activity

• EDS is working with the City of Pittsburgh and the neighborhoods to develop a concept plan for a multimodal transit center at the Route 51 and Route 88 interchange. Initial concept plans include creating infrastructure to access the light rail line and the South busway, as well as park and ride concepts. EDS continues to work with development partners on project-related opportunities. 
• EDS is working with a development team to redevelop the Overbrook Middle School site along Route 51. The proposal is for a transit-accessible, senior living campus that includes both new construction housing and an adjacent assisted-living care facility. In total, this project could result in almost $25 million in new investment in the Route 51 Corridor.
• EDS is working on developing a comprehensive, multi-municipal implementation plan for the Brownsville Road corridor. The plan will identify action plans for each of the key commercial nodes, as well as specific streetscape improvements, public safety improvements and long-term programs and initiatives that will help retain existing businesses and attract new ones to this key commercial corridor in Brentwood and Carrick. EDS continues to secure additional funding to develop a more focused Main Street plan for the entire corridor.
• EDS is working with two private developers along the Brownsville Road corridor to rehab several key gateway anchor buildings in the Sankey Avenue Business District.
• EDS is working with all five communities to market the strengths of the neighborhoods collectively as the Corridor Communities. The first phase of the branding campaign will include a comprehensive marketing website aimed to serve as a collection point and marketing tool for the area. Additional branding projects will include wayfinding systems, banners and gateway projects. 
• EDS is working with the owners of the Colteryahn Dairy to redevelop the commercial cluster adjacent to their recently renovated factory on Brownsville Road. EDS, in partnership with the Carrick Community Council will continue to leverage interests to redevelop some of the more blighted properties in that cluster.
• EDS was instrumental in establishing the first multi-municipal Shade Tree Commission in the state. The Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall Shade Tree Commission will work on developing a shade tree inventory and greening and beautification projects and planted 30 free trees in the Brentwood Park in November. Additional plantings in Whitehall and Baldwin boroughs will be scheduled in 2013.   
• EDS is currently working with the Brentwood and Whitehall municipalities on developing a Zoning Overlay District along the Route 51 corridor. 
• EDS is working with The Penn State Center on developing a demonstration bioswale to demonstrate how different vegetation can help mitigate stormwater.

Over the past two years, Greg Jones, the executive director of EDS, worked to build capacity within the organization so that EDS could grow and further its mission.

In May 2012, Helen Sharrer joined Economic Development South as a part-time administrative assistant. Helen assists and supports the executive director and the manager of projects & initiatives, including managing day-to-day office activities. Helen and her husband have been residents of Brentwood for over 40 years. Additionally, Mr. Jones secured a significant Heinz Endowments grant to fund a multi-year manager of projects & initiatives position. In August 2012, Stephanie Miller joined Economic Development South in that role. Stephanie will work with the executive director on projects and initiatives related to the revitalization of the communities.

And, finally, EDS would like to take an opportunity to thank everyone in our member communities for all of their hard work and support over the past two years. From all of us at EDS, we wish you a happy holiday season.