South Oakland is a popular place for students of the University of Pittsburgh. The rent is relatively cheap, the location is close to campus and there is a mix of restaurants spread throughout the area. I myself, live in one of these South Oakland apartments. And walking to class on an unusual sunny Pittsburgh morning, I looked carefully at these mostly unnoticed buildings.

As intricate details cover the upper part of each house, the lower half has been modified to accommodate the tenant’s needs. The beauty of these structures has slowly been taken away by the quick repair needs of the students. What we don’t realize is that the architectural beauty of South Oakland is disappearing.

Sometimes as students, we take advantage of what the surrounding area has to offer us. We get so involved with school spirit that we forget that there was a culture and community that was there first. Of course, the change is creating a new, fresh atmosphere within the houses of South Oakland, but there must be a way save the older beauty.

—Francine Morales, University of Pittsburgh student and YPA Intern, March 15, 2011

The Role Universities Can Play in Fostering a Preservation Ethic

Universities are known for their primarily indifferent approach to historic preservation, often favoring a pragmatic development approach based on efficiency and institutional survival.

One need only look to the University of Pittsburgh’s policies in Oakland as a case and point. Examples include: the demolition of Forbes Field, one of Pittsburgh’s greatest cultural resources, to build the domineering Wesley W. Posvar Hall in 1971, to the destruction of the Syria Mosque in 1991 to build a parking lot, and the more recent example of the expansion of Bouquet Gardens and the resulting demolition of one of Oakland’s oldest residences in 2010.

However, the discouraging policy decisions made by the universities need not inhibit students from participating in preservation.

To promote preservation in Pittsburgh students can apply to become an intern for course credit or a volunteer for local non-profits like the Young Preservationists Association. Additionally, local universities offer Certificates in Historic Preservation or Preservation Majors (see links at the bottom of the page). Perhaps most important is education of the public on the importance of preservation and the role it can play in fostering community identity, conservation, and redevelopment. Student organizations can help spread awareness of the preservation cause around campus.

YPA has the potential to fill this role at local colleges and universities through a chapter network with one group at each school. Student interns or volunteers could run each chapter from YPA. Individual chapters could hold events on campus and get together with other chapters for YPA’s big events like the Preservation Summit.

Often, when asked about my major the question I get is, “What is historic preservation?” I would love to see that question change to “How can I get involved?” As an Architectural Studies (Historic Preservation Track) and Urban Studies student at the University of Pittsburgh, I recognize that major improvements have been made to the Historic Preservation program in the past few years, including the addition of a Historic Preservation Major. But, the University of Pittsburgh currently has no extracurricular student group or club devoted specifically to historic preservation.

I would like to see a new club or group devoted to preservation that could help connect students to preservation opportunities and raise awareness of preservation on campus and the city as a whole (perhaps a group that works with YPA). Moreover, I would like to see more hands on involvement and first-hand experience in my program. Visiting sites, preparing nominations, and perhaps specific preservation labs could be ultimately beneficial for students and help prepare them for graduate school or professional work in the field.

Links:

Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation:

http://www.phlf.org/

University of Pittsburgh Architectural Studies Program:

http://www.arch.pitt.edu/

University of Pittsburgh Historic Preservation Certificate:

http://www.oafa.pitt.edu/pdf/infosheets/CERT_HISTORIC_PRESERVATION.pdf

Lee Riccetti, Pitt Student and YPA Intern, March 4, 2011

Hope Rises in Homewood

Elwin Green walks us down his street, Race Street, in the middle of Homewood. It is mid-morning, the sun is shining brightly and the day is perfect for taking photos, meeting the neighbors, and assessing the potential of this street. Race Street is an five-block-long street of modest four-square brick Pittsburgh homes, like any street in the region.

However, Race Street, like much of Homewood, is plagued with an image problem. Sure there are some vacant properties--many of which could be fixed. But with people unable to obtain home improvement or home mortgage loans, public safety issues, and low self-esteem, Race Street, like Homewood, faces an uphill battle for legitimacy and its future.

Yet, the story does not end in a downward spiral of despair. Residents are fighting back. They are organizing, involving a diverse array of stakeholders, and, most importantly, getting the young people involved.

Race Street is a subset of efforts to revitalize Homewood that have galvanized around the Homewood Children's Village concept (Http://homewoodchildrensvillage.org), a direct descendant of the Harlem Children's Zone founded by Geoffrey Canada (http://www.hcz.org/). A public kick-off event for the Homewood Children's Village was held on September 14, 2010. Hundreds of people packed the gym at Faison school to watch a touching video, "One Square Mile," and to hear the elaborate plans and committees that have been organized. The room was filled with incredible optimism and hope.

Today (September 23rd), however, the U.S. Department of Education announced their latest round of grant awards, and the Homewood Children's Village was not chosen for federal funding. Yet, there is still reason for optimism, not just because Homewood's latest plan has the backing of elected officials and other community leaders.

Hope rises in Homewood because of the young people who are involved, who were well represented at the kick-off event.

The celebration ended with an original rap performance by four young people, who closed out their set with the catchy tune "Welcome to the Village." Yes, welcome to the Village. It was an amazing display of community cohesion and promise--which can only be sustained if the young people are involved.

We cannot, must not lose another generation to the streets, to the vacant buildings and empty lots, and to hopelessness. If we fail our children, we fail ourself.

Let's involve our children, get involved in their world, protect them, and make them feel welcome in all aspects of our lives. It is through them our legacy survives.

Advertising Signs and Historic Preservation

An important historic preservation issue is not getting the attention it deserves: advertising signs and how they affect historic neighborhoods and business districts.

Decades ago, signs were painted on brick walls to promote a business in the building or located nearby. These signs can be found across the Pittsburgh region today, but most have faded away and are commonly referred to as “Ghost Signs”. They unlock a piece of history and add great character to an otherwise nondescript part of a building.

The advertising industry shifted long ago to a more “in your face” attitude in locating and designing current billboards. Most of these are brightly lit at night so that they are center of attention. In the city of Pittsburgh alone, there are over 900 billboards lining our streets and neighborhoods (with greater numbers found in low-income areas). These signs try to pull our eyes away from what Pittsburghers cherish so much: the city skyline, tree covered hills, river views and our neighborhoods.

It is often cited that billboards are a major distraction to drivers, but they also are a visual distraction to pedestrians. Unlike watching television or reading a newspaper or magazine, billboards are front and center where someone can’t turn to a different channel or flip to the next page. That is one of the reasons the billboard industry does so well and why businesses constantly advertise with this medium.

In recent years, the signage industry has been moving focus to new electronic technology that has moving, flashing and color-changing elements. Primarily using Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), the light from the billboards is often seen for miles, especially in the Pittsburgh region with our topography. New York’s Times Square and the Strip in Las Vegas are examples of places designed for these bright flashing signs. Our residential neighborhoods and historic main streets should not fall into the same category.

Currently, new legislation is being developed to bring the zoning code up-to-date with the new technology. The City of Pittsburgh Department of City Planning has been working with legal and lighting consultants to draft new regulations for electronic signage. The Planning Commission will have hearings on the issue in October. This would be the perfect opportunity for you to get involved and have your thoughts about these signs heard. Involvement from residents will be critical!

It is time to stop ignoring these signs and take action to reduce the visual blight on Pittsburgh’s landscape. Change must happen from both businesses and residents alike. Businesses need to understand that their historic main street is being plastered with clutter. Residents should demand the views from the streets be protected and not sold off for profit.

What happened to the simple painted signs on brick walls that showcased the Mom and Pop store? Instead we now have signs brightly shining into windows at night and billboards on rusting steel supports or tall poles that bring down property values. Most officially designated historic districts in municipalities have the most restrictions on advertising signs and generally don’t allow them at all. That leaves the majority of the city vulnerable and our historic urban character at risk.

To find relevant documents and more information on this issue, visit the Department of City Planning’s website (http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/cp/), under the “Electronic Advertising and Message Signage” heading.

—Chuck Alcorn, YPA Board Secretary

YPA's Take on the Civic Arena

Historic preservation is at a crossroads. The current generation of preservationists is now grappling with preservation of the recent past. How we as a movement deal with the built environment of the past 50 years, as well as how we relate to our own colleagues will define the future effectiveness of our movement.

The definition and methods of preservation have been appropriately expanded beyond bricks and mortar. In addition to architectural and cultural significance, we must consider the social, political, and economic implications of our engagement.

The aim of the Young Preservationists Association of Pittsburgh is to approach each instance with an appropriate objectivity. There are moments where casting a vision is necessary, and others when supporting the vision of others is of paramount concern. We do not seek to define what is right or what is wrong.

On the contrary, we hope to provide an atmosphere for dialogue and an exchange that leads to a heightened and inclusive discussion. YPA’s mission is to provide the tools to the next generation as they continue to craft their own definitions of preservation.

The effort to save a Modernist icon like the Civic Arena will not be the last time that preservationists will have to face this challenge. But we should encourage a strong, unified, and inclusive dialogue for such important preservation issues.

As published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Aug. 16, 2010: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10228/1080309-110.stm

Preserve our Cities, Preserve our Culture

I just started working part-time at the Andy Warhol Museum as a gallery attendant. My job is to look at the people who are looking at art. Although I’ve only been working a few short days, I’ve already noticed a trend in many of the guests. Many of the visitors don’t even really look at the artwork that is displayed. They seem to just enjoy breezing through the seven floors, soaking in the museum atmosphere of wide, open emptiness with a sprinkling of culture and color, while of course, holding hands with their date.

Visitors will stop and read descriptions of intriguing pieces of art to learn some background and many of them are shocked by “Oxidation Painting” (a painting Warhol made by urinating on a copper-coated canvas), but it seems that many people just come to the museum for the atmosphere, to be surrounded by culture.

I’m sharing this because I believe that the cities and towns that we live in are comparable to a museum. When you visit a historic town, you feel the atmosphere change. You are suddenly a part of the history that town has seen. Walking through old streets in the ancient city of Aachen, Germany, you are reminded of the Roman Empire that once ruled the world. These feelings can’t be mimicked in brand new developments and high-rises. They are the stories in the walls of houses that have seen wars, peace and change. The sensation of being in a place that remembers things is something that must be preserved.

Like a museum, we must tend to our property and take care of it, as not to disturb this ambiance. Otherwise we will stop and look around one day and nothing will catch our eye or intrigue us about our culture, because all we might see are Walmarts and condominiums.

—Meghan Leinbach, YPA Intern & student at the University of Pittsburgh

Preservation as a Tool

In my observation/opinion, when most people think about the term preservation, they think about it in the context of preserving something physical in a theoretical sense. For example, we should save a certain historical building or structure, a famous or old house, etc… The act of preserving gets lost in the mix, not because people don’t want to protect said building or structure, but because most people do not know how to actually preserve them.

I guess I am a case in point in that my background is in archeology, a field that fundamentally destroys areas (we like to call this excavation) in order to preserve the historical and/or natural integrity of an area. My technical knowledge in archeology has allowed for expertise in excavation, however it lacks in the restoration aspect of preservation.

You are all probably wondering where I am going with this. Well in my short experience with archeology and preservation, what I see that is lacking is preservation techniques being taught and exposed to the masses. Even as someone who has specialized in a field that involves preservation throughout school, I still have no concrete knowledge of how to preserve a standing building or structure myself.

I think it would be useful for people, especially the younger generation, to learn the basics of how to preserve a building or structure so that they have the necessary tools to preserve in the future. As every home or building has a history, old or new, preservation of that structure will need to be addressed at some point in time… so why not address it early.

Posted by Ashley Noia, YPA Intern, July 2, 2010