The First Business District Meetings of 2015
The mission of the Lawrenceville Corporation is: “to act as a catalyst and conduit for responsible growth and reinvestment in the Lawrenceville community.”
It would be impossible to carry out this mission without working directly with the many business owners of Lawrenceville. We are lucky to be able to work with such a diverse and passionate group of small business owners. This past week we held the first Business District Meetings of 2015. The goal of these meetings was for Lawrenceville business owners to connect with the Lawrenceville Corporation and vice versa.
It was a great opportunity for business owners to voice their hopes for the neighborhood as well as for LC to touch base on this past year’s accomplishments and upcoming projects. For example, did you know that in 2014 LC helped Lawrenceville receive 50 new bike racks, helped 4 businesses receive new signs through a sign grant, and helped replace 10 custom litter receptacles in the neighborhood?
Upcoming projects like the 2015 Blossom Tour, an annual event during which Lawrenceville businesses open their doors to visitors and distribute garden seeds, were discussed at length. But the highlight of the meetings was a discussion of the 2015 Open Streets Project. Open Streets is a national event that was piloted in Pittsburgh for the first time last year. In June of 2014, a small stretch of downtown streets was limited to street traffic to allow pedestrians to use the streets in a different way. It was a huge success! Over 4,000 people took part in the day’s activities such as yoga, dancing, walking, and biking. Bike Pittsburgh is taking a leadership role in bringing Open Streets to Pittsburgh.
This year, Open Streets is expanding to include a stretch from Market Square through The Strip and Lawrenceville to the gates of the Allegheny Cemetery. Open Streets will occur during three Sunday mornings of the summer: May 31st, June 28th, and July 26th from 8am-12pm. Check out the Open Streets PGH website to learn more.
Open Streets Committee Members were on hand during the meetings to address any concerns business owners may have and explain how their business can get involved. Overall, owners are enthusiastic about this event – both for the opportunity to benefit financially from the influx of people and for the opportunity to see the streets come alive in a different way.
There will be one more Business District Meeting to discuss these upcoming events with LC staff and members of the Open Streets Committee. The last meeting will be February 10th from 6:30-8PM at the Ice House Studios. We hope to have the chance to connect with more business owners next Tuesday!