ReClaim South Ambassador Program

Program Area: Ambassador Project, ReClaim

Topic: Community Engagement, Vacant Land

Year: 2013, 2014

Neighborhood: Allentown, Arlington, Arlington Heights, Beltzhoover, Bon Air, Knoxville, Mount Oliver, Mount Washington, South, South Side Slopes

Project Updates

ReClaim South: Sustaining Momentum began with Ambassador training sessions during the fall of 2015 as a follow up program to provide support for project enhancement and maintenance. Implementing these enhancements will begin spring 2016.

Though the ReClaim South Program concluded with a graduation ceremony in October of 2014, the Ambassadors will continue to sustain and develop their projects for years to come. The projects are open to the public.

News/Press Coverage

Old Incline Becomes South Side Slopes Park

Pittsburgh Post Gazette | October 2014

Local Group Reclaims Vacant Land Through Micro-Grants and Education

90.5 WESA | July 2014

Overview

The 2012 Green Toolbox Report conducted for Hilltop communities identified over 400 acres of vacant land in those neighborhoods, including two former public housing sites. The Ambassador program is one way that GTECH and the Hilltop Alliance is addressing this opportunity. Ten residents will participate in a vacant land focused training program and create their own green project on vacant land.

Research shows a greener environment has a positive impact on the perception of a place as a good location to live, work or shop. The investment in these green projects can prompt new investments and lead to new development opportunities in the empty storefronts of Pittsburgh south neighborhoods.

Because these spaces are dreamt up by a neighborhood resident, voluntarily built by her neighbors and supported by the local community organizations, the hope is that these projects will be maintained for years to come and spark more community-based actions.