13 Things LC Did in 2015 (That Wasn’t The Cookie Tour)

Here at Lawrenceville Corporation our mission is “to act as a catalyst and conduit for responsible growth and reinvestment in the Lawrenceville community,” and we have been at it 16 years now. Looking back at 2015 here are just a few of our most recent accomplishments—we are looking forward to achieving more in 2016. Stay tuned.

(1) New sign grants for local businesses

The Gilded Girl, Morcilla, Una Biologicals, Caffe d’Amore, and Atlas Bottle Works/Row House Theatre all received grants for their storefront signs in 2015. Many were created by a local company, Brush and Pounce. (Browsing though his client list you’ll notice he’s several of the signs in the neighborhood!)

(2) Fourth edition of the Lawrenceville Business Guide

una sign

Photo credit: Una Biologicals

Look around your favorite Lawrenceville business for the newly published fourth edition of the Lawrenceville Business Guide! Included is an updated listing of 144 business along and off of Butler Street and Penn Avenue.

Not a fan of paper? This next item is for you.

(3) Revamp of lvpgh.com

This year we unveiled an improved and more versatile  lvpgh.com that features an interactive map to discover and navigate to your new favorite restaurant or shop. We also now boast an events calendar you can sort by activity type (with a submission feature for business owners) and our new blog which you are reading right at this moment!

Looking to start a business? Find resources here. Interested in other LC projects? Check them out here.

(4) Partnership with Sustainable Pittsburgh Restaurants

This year we began our partnership with Sustainable Pittsburgh to recognize restaurants engaging in sustainable practices, and assisting those who wish to improve learn how to do so. Stay tuned for even more opportunities to get involved and a grant program to enhance your sustainable practices in 2016.

(5) Open Streets

Lawrenceville Corporation served as a neighborhood partner with Lawrenceville United and BikePGH to bring this event to Butler Street. LC organized business owner meetings to introduce the project and engaged with them around participating in this fun event (setting up tables outside, offering specials, and so on). We also programmed the stage at 47th and Butler Streets with fitness activities—all of which were lead by Lawrenceville-based fitness businesses and studios.

(6) “Your Role in Community Development” Meeting

On October 1st, Lawrenceville Corporation with Lawrenceville United co-hosted a community meeting at Arsenal Middle School inviting residents to learn more about what’s happening regarding changes in the neighborhood and to get feedback from residents and business owners that can be shared with developers, city officials, and others. More meetings like this one will be taking place so be sure to check back here in the new year. Here are the notes from the last one.

(7)  Co-chaired Lawrenceville Works!

Co-chaired Lawrenceville Works!, an innovative workforce development program with Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Pennsylvania. LC distributed information about Lawrenceville Works! to businesses in Lawrenceville, and connected local businesses that were actively hiring to the Lawrenceville Works! employer liaison. As a result of our shared efforts, 150+ individuals found permanent placement through the program over the past 18 months.

(8) Finished 52 sidewalk projectsGetting around Lawrenceville

The Lawrenceville Sidewalk Restoration Program completed 52 comprehensive sidewalk and curb replacements along Butler Street and Penn Avenue making it easier for pedestrians to navigate our major business districts.

(9) Completion of Arsenal Park and Leslie Park plans

We. Love. Community. Plans. And we have completed and participated in many of them—all of which can be found on our website including our 2012 parking study, the Penn Avenue Corridor Master Plan, and the Upper Lawrenceville Plan.

(10) Received $50,000 from Bridgeway Captial for affordable housing in Lower Lawrenceville

The secret is out about Lawrenceville being a great place to live and do business. The Lawrenceville Corporation acts upon lessons learned in similar communities that have experienced maturing markets. One of the important issues to address is maintaining affordability and helping to prevent displacement.

(11) Greening initiatives

LU and LC at Duncan Park

photo credit: Lawrenceville United

We were able to support three stormwater mitigation projects, (one of which is being installed in the Busy Beaver parking lot) and broke ground to transform Duncan Park into a true community space that will include raised bed gardening, a community orchard, and interactive playscapes.

(12) Completed an update of the 2012 parking study

Parking in Lawrenceville can be an experience… and we are working with partners to find solutions. Look for the report of our official findings in 2016.

12002757_10156071136555029_9164364423433995912_n(13) Pulled off two other neighborhood wide business events

Yes, this is about the things besides the Cookie Tour, but it was one of three neighborhood wide events that businesses participated in and thousands of people came out to support. The Blossom Tour and Shop Late in Lawrenceville (#ShopLateLVPGH) were also organized and implementd by LC staff with the help of business-owner volunteers like Bernadette Gerbe from Gerbe Glass. Our favorite thing to hear from participants is that they discover new places they wouldn’t have known without these events.

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