New Lights, Development Coming to Pittsburgh Neighborhood

Grandview Avenue on Mount Washington – with its panoramic view of the city and two inclines – is a heavily trafficked roadway. Now, the strip is getting new lighting to replace the lights that have been around since the 1960s. Chris Beichner, Executive Director of the the Mount Washington Community Development Corporation says the project cost $400,000 and will adhere to new lighting standards. "They're LED lights, they're dark sky compliant, we're just happy to be using energy efficient technology that's putting on a brighter, whiter light." He says the lighting is just one of the changes coming to the community. They've also just completed a trail plan for Emerald View Park as well as a housing plan to develop a real estate program to restore homes and to build new houses in vacant lots. Plus, new businesses and restaurants are moving into the area, which Beichner attributes both to the activism of the community and to the new $100 million hotel/condominium project that will be located near the Mon Incline. Beichner says many people don't realize that Mount Washington is more than just a great view. "We're a minutes walk from downtown, our housing stock is great quality and very affordable compared to other neighborhoods and we just have great access to the interstate – we're a real quick drive to the airport, plus 90% of our homes are a quarter mile from a park."

A ribbon cutting for the new lights takes place Thursday at 5:30pm on Grandview Avenue and Shiloh Street.