McArdle Roadway will remain closed between the Liberty Bridge and Grandview Avenue in Mount Washington through the morning rush hour.

The road was blocked Thursday by a landslide.

Commuters can access the updated traffic conditions to find the best routes.

An apartment fire on Wyoming Street in Mt. Washington has left six people homeless, authorities said.

The fire started about 3:15 a.m. today, apparently on a carpet on the first floor, authorities said.

The fire caused about $10,000 in damage, a Pittsburgh fire official said. No one was injured, she said. The cause is under investigation. The American Red Cross is assisting six adults with food and shelter, a spokeswoman said.

The umbrella group, which receives funding from the Pittsburgh Partnership for Neighborhood Development, held several community dialogue events in the fall (attended by well over 100 residents), and is now moving on to addressing the concerns that came out of those conversations.

Major issues include addressing redevelopment of vacant properties, and establishing a one-stop shop where residents can access all available services. Another concern, says Sara Bennett with Hilltop Alliance, is the preservation of housing. READ MORE.

By the way, these sites have lots of helpful information about all emergency-type situations (H1N1, winter storms, etc.) so you may want to bookmark them. Stay safe and dry!

Allegheny County Department of Human Services

Allegheny County Health Department

Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency

Ready America

Is it something for Pittsburgh to consider? I don’t know where I come down on this one. Anything I’ve ever thought about planning in Mt. Washington is wrapped around growth or redevelopment.

From the Post Gazette:

The “hole in the wall” at the West End Circle is scheduled to open to northbound traffic Tuesday, another milestone in PennDOT’s $52.6 million project to untangle traffic there.

The opening to northbound traffic is expected about 3 p.m. Southbound traffic has been using the road since July.

As you’ll see, Mr. Cozza agreed to attend community meetings to hash out the details of cleaning up some of his properties.  As we attend these meetings, let’s remember that this is a new day and a new era and while I don’t defend any developer holding our neighborhood’s revitalization dreams hostage, we don’t know the entire story of developments past. We certainly didn’t have the political leadership we have now. Thanks to Theresa Smith for initiating this meeting and beginning to establish some accountability for developers in Mt. Washington.

Mr. Cozza agreed to the following:

• Beautify both lots on Grandview.
• Repair and secure fencing on both lots on Grandview.
• Attend MWCDC meeting in two months to address art projects for the fencing at both locations.
• Agreed to numerous MWCDC meetings to see both projects to completion.
• Work with MWCDC and Councilwoman Smith on completing the development of the lots.
• Contact the Mayor/URA for support for the development.

MWCDC agreed to the following:

• Host meeting next month and prepare the community to work with Mr. Cozza.
• Contact Art Institute (a specific contact person) to enlist their support for beautifying the area.
• Identify possible developers to partner on the projects.
• Identify parties interested in possible purchasing the lots.

Councilwoman Smith agreed to the following:

• Contact the URA and Mayor’s office to secure any possible stimulus funding for green development.
• Attend MWCDC meetings to continue her efforts to see these projects to completion.
• Contact the Art Institute/CAPA to ensure their support for beautifying the work site with art projects until the developments are complete.
• Continue to work with Mr. Cozza/MWCDC to identify and provide the needed support to see both projects to completion.
• Reschedule a follow up meeting and remain in contact with all parties to ensure the projects are continually moving forward

(PITTSBURGH) Feb. 25, 2010 – Mayor Luke Ravenstahl today urged City residents to prepare now for hazardous weather conditions in anticipation of another major winter storm event that is expected to impact Pittsburgh Thursday through Friday evening. The Mayor urged residents to stay aware and be prepared for deteriorating road conditions and downed wires and trees. Residents are encouraged to stay tuned to their local news and City emergency page, www.pittsburghpa.gov for updates on the latest road conditions. Citizens may also sign up for emergency alerts on the webpage.

“Our residents must stay aware and prepared. If road conditions become dangerous, we will alert residents to stay off of the roads unless it is an absolute emergency,” Ravenstahl said. “In particular, I strongly encourage residents to reconsider any trips they have planned to the eastern part of the state.”

The Department of Public Works will have crews working on 12-hour shifts and if needed contractors are ready to assist with 48 pieces of additional equipment. The Mayor has directed public safety bureaus and the City’s 311 line to be on standby for increased staffing and operations.

“We already have nearly 30 inches of snow and with even more expected coupled with strong winds we must prepare for possible power outages and downed trees,” Ravenstahl said. “I urge residents to be careful and to stay away from any downed wires and trees.”

Residents should report any downed wires to 911 as it is an extreme danger. Downed trees should be reported to 311. The City Parks Department has prepared a plan to activate senior centers as “warming” centers if necessary. Firefighters are ready to assist with tree removal. The Mayor also urged citizens to check on the elderly and to help them clear sidewalks when snow conditions allow. “Currently, we are not in a state of emergency, but we are preparing for the possibility of dangerous winter weather,” Ravenstahl said. “In the meantime, I’m encouraging residents to clear the sidewalks when possible, and to help their elderly neighbors in this task. We are all in this together, and we all must help each other get through this winter weather and its dangerous after effects.” The Mayor reminds the public to only call 911 in the event of an emergency, not to check on road conditions. If travel is an absolute must, drivers must be prepared with an emergency kit. Information on interstate road conditions and how to prepare for emergency travel is available on the City’s emergency website. The City is responsible for plowing and salting nearly 2,000 miles of City roads. About 45 percent of those roads are primary roads, or main arteries; about 50 percent are secondary roads or residential thoroughfares; and the remaining are side streets and alleyways known as tertiary roads

Sponsored by PCRG, the goal of Safe Neighborhood Networks is to bring neighborhood public safety activists together to share strategies, discuss root causes of crime across communities, receive training from public safety experts, and build safe communities from the grass roots up.

The discussion will include available resources for community groups; any problems that you might be having in your own neighborhood and how we can work together to address them; and what initiatives are currently underway in the city.

There will be a special presentation from Wendy Urbanic, the Coordinator of the city’s 311 Response Center. She will be discussing the services associated with the 311 line, how our communities can properly utilize the system, and the differences between 311 and 9-1-1. If there is something specific that you would like the group to address, please let Jared at PCRG  know so he can make sure it is on the agenda for the morning.

RSVP by March 11th by contacting Jared at programs@pcrg.org or (412) 391-6732 x210.