Activate Uptown may just be the next big thing in store for Mt. Lebanon. The proposal to revitalize public spaces in Uptown is “really important to the vibrancy of our community,” said Commissioner Andrew Flynn. When people visit Uptown, whether it’s for farmers markets, parades or Final Friday concerts, “we need a shared civic space that brings people together in what is truly the heart of our community,” Flynn continued.
Other Commissioners shared Flynn’s enthusiasm for Activate Uptown during the July 8 Commission discussion session, in which Economic and Development Coordinator Eric Milliron shared design artwork and estimated costs.
After receiving 1,300 Activate Uptown survey responses, architecture and planning firm Pashek + MTR has a new vision for Mt. Lebanon’s underutilized public spaces, including Clocktower Plaza, the staircase from Washington Road to the T station, Parse Way and Clearview Common.
Milliron said the plan will help make Uptown a hangout spot and regional destination, instead of somewhere you come for dinner and leave.
Activate Uptown includes low-hanging fruit, like shade sails and new furniture for Clocktower Plaza, but also multi-million-dollar projects to transform Clearview Common with an expanded park (2½ times its current size), water steps and shaded swing gardens. Below are some of the proposed changes and the estimated cost for each location.
Clocktower Plaza ($124,750)
- Digital information panel for real-time transit updates
- Light and art installations
- Shade sails
Stairway to the T ($250,000)
- Bike and stroller runnel
- Lighted handrails
- Ceiling and accent lighting
Parse Way PRT Station Area ($714,250)
- Light poles
- Pavement reconstruction
- Railings
- Benches
- Landscaping
- Bicycle racks and lockers
Parse Way ($1,656,600)
- Raised intersection to connect the Mt. Lebanon T Station and stairway from Washington Road
- Extended overhead canopy
- Bike lockers
- Artistic fencing
- Curb extensions
- Relocated garbage dumpsters
Alfred Street ($1,797,850)
- Demolition of parking lot
- Reconfiguration for one-way traffic only
- Public art
- Expanded greenspace and hardscapes
Clearview Common ($2,497,500)
- Pavement and sidewalk reconstruction
- Landscaping
- Interactive sculpture
- Shaded swing garden
- Rock wall fountain
- Furniture
- Lighting
- Shade structures
- Retaining walls
Total estimated cost: $7,040,950
None of the plans have been voted on or approved. The Commission must decide how to move forward with implementation, including funding acquisition, a detailed design development, bidding and finally construction. But as of now, the Commission appears supportive.
“I don’t think there’s anything we can do in our public spaces that would be more impactful than this. And frankly, I would rather prioritize this over any other [project],” said Commissioner Andrew Flynn during the July meeting.
If funded, Activate Uptown will likely be enacted in phases, with smaller item projects first and long-term visions further down the road. Click here to read the full Activate Uptown proposal. [1]