What are goals?

Goals are long-term outcomes that organizations and the City of Pittsburgh will work towards by taking action on policies, projects, and programs. Goals are aspirational in nature and express the neighborhood's collective desires and values for various topics in the plan. Compared to the policies in the section below, goals can encompass many different ideas and desires whereas policies focus on one specific topic. The goals below are organized as specified in the City's Neighborhood Plan Guide.

C1. Community programs and livability

• C1.A Representation in decision-making. Civic mindedness is fostered through resident engagement in decision-making processes, and by serving on boards and committees.

C2. Cultural heritage and preservation

• C2.A Preservation supports housing goals. Existing structures are part of the strategy to provide affordable housing and different living opportunities in Oakland.
• C2.B Celebrate Oakland’s diversity. Valuing heritage and overcoming institutional racism today are viewed as complementary and not in conflict.

C3. Public art

• C3.A Public art around every corner. Public art of all forms is found throughout Oakland to enhance the experience of living in, working in, and visiting Oakland. Art and design should be integrated into all private and public investments.
• C3.B Art expresses diversity. Oakland is a place where the diversity of its artists and modes of artistic expression is valued.

C7. Community uses in the right-of-way

• C7.A Programming that builds community. Establish new and grow existing programs to support community-building events in the streets such as block parties, street festivals, farmers markets, and street vendors as well as the provision of commercial and community services that spill into the public realm.

D2. Urban sustainable design

• D2.C Excellent urban design. Building design incorporates high-quality materials, values Oakland’s unique character and outstanding architectural heritage, and contributes to the public realm.

D3. Equitable economic development

• D3.A Welcoming Oakland. Oakland's institutions, non-profit organizations, businesses, residents, and students work proactively to welcome BIPOC, LGBTQ, immigrant and refugee, and disabled people to live, work, study, invest in businesses, and play in the community.
• D3.B Buildings that overcome inequities. The construction, rehabilitation, and tenanting of buildings are opportunities to overcome inequities experienced by residents, entrepreneurs, and employees.
• D3.C Inclusive hiring and contracting. Oakland employers and developers meet or exceed agreed-upon targets for minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses. Contracting Oakland-based companies is a priority along with programs that increase the supply and quality of neighborhood businesses.

D4. Housing

• D4.A Jobs and housing for all. Residents have access to career services and opportunities that allow them to work in good paying jobs in their neighborhood, and Oakland’s low income employees and students have access to affordable housing that allows them to walk to work or school.

D5. Transit oriented development and commercial corridors and nodes

• D5.A Vibrant commercial corridors. Development on commercial corridors provides healthy and safe pedestrian experiences with inviting public realm improvements, open spaces, and complementary ground floor uses that serve the broader community and integrate with transit services.

I2. Open space

• I2.B Open space network. Parks and other open spaces are located throughout Oakland and provide enriching experiences. Together open spaces form a network that create connections between parts of the neighborhood and to surrounding areas.

I5. Tree canopy

• I5.A Community building through neighborhood greening. Oakland's institutions, non-profit organizations, businesses, students and residents work together to build up community initiatives that connect people while making the neighborhood more sustainable, healthy, and equitable.

I6. Habitat restoration

• I6.A Biophilic design. Nature and natural spaces are integrated throughout Oakland to improve people’s physical and mental health, fitness, and wellbeing.
• I6.B Diversify landscapes. The public sector, institutions, developers, and property owners collaborate to improve the permeability of landscapes and increase biodiversity.

I8. Urban agriculture

• I8.A Grow food in the neighborhood. Consistent with Oakland’s immigrant history, food gardens are integrated into residential areas to improve access to healthy food options as well as the fitness benefits of gardening.
• I8.B Local food networks. Regionally grown food is served in Oakland’s restaurants and used to make food-based products through innovative collaborations and partnerships.

M1. Transit service and stations

• M1.A Maximize the value of shuttles and transit. Public and institutional transportation services are part of an efficient system that serves both economic development and resident needs.
• M1.B Oakland as transit hub. Oakland is a hub of the regional transit system, on par with downtown, to ensure equitable access to the jobs and activities that are growing here.
• M1.C Transit is a mode of choice. Stops and station areas are attractive hubs of activity and buses provide the safest, most comfortable, and enjoyable way to get where you’re going.

M2. Pedestrian access, safety, circulation

• M2.A Pedestrian priority. Streets are designed as a system to provide safe, accessible, and comfortable pedestrian environments.
• M2.B Circulation. Accessways through and between buildings and open spaces follow pedestrian desire lines.

M3. Accessibility

• M3.A Accessibility without bounds. True accessibility results from intentional design on the part of public and private investments in the right-of-way and in buildings.
• M3.B Accessible network. The rights-of-way are improved to create an accessible network of ways to get to and around Oakland.

M4. Bicycle infrastructure

• M4.A Bike networks. A network of bike facilities gets people to and around Oakland safely, and conveniently, without gaps or the need to divert out of the way. The bike and transit networks are integrated.
• M4.B Bicycle-oriented development. Activities and facilities in the ground floors of buildings and public right-of-way support and are supported by cyclists.

M5. Traffic safety

• M5.A Zero fatalities. No one dies or is seriously injured on city streets.
• M5.B Unbiased enforcement. Safe, equitable, and just outcome in traffic stop and enforcement interactions.

What are policies?

Policies set a preferred direction and describe what must be done to achieve the goals in the section above. Where goals can have many elements that relate to a central theme, policies should have one clear focus. They are specific enough that future projects can be assessed to determine if they would advance the values in the plan or run counter to them. Along with the vision statement, and goals, policies are formally adopted by the City's Planning Commission. The policies below are organized as specified in the City's Neighborhood Plan Guide.

C1. Community programs and livability

• Strengthen civic engagement. Ensure a broad variety of groups including residents, students, and identity groups, are engaged in decision-making processes where they are impacted through meaningful engagement opportunities
• Prioritize people of diverse ages and abilities. All right-of-way improvements prioritize the needs of seniors, children and their caretakers, and the disability community.

C2. Cultural heritage and preservation

• Center equity in preservation. Ensure affordability and economic inclusion throughout historic preservation processes.
• Preserve Oakland’s distinct character. Thoroughly study and preserve existing art outside and inside historic buildings in Oakland. This could be traditional historic preservation of buildings, but also the reuse and repurposing of building elements and artistic features.
• Blend historic and new development. Development projects reuse existing buildings whenever possible including building onto and around structures as part of larger-scale developments. Resulting structures maintain Oakland's existing character and fabric while allowing development that meets modern needs.

C3. Public art

• Increase art installations throughout Oakland. Public and private investments incorporate art into public spaces, buildings, and infrastructure.
• Support diverse local artists. Ensure communities of color and immigrants are included in the creation of art within the neighborhood.

C7. Community uses in the right-of-way

• Enliven public streets. Public streets in Oakland incorporate temporary and/or permanent functions that support community activities that take precedence over their transportation function.

D2. Urban sustainable design

• Design for topography. Design infrastructure and buildings to help residents overcome topography challenges and enjoy unique publicly accessible views.
• Amenities for all ages. Use public and private investments as opportunities to provide publicly accessible amenities for people of all ages.
• Inspiring gateways. Incorporate unique architecture, open spaces, public art, and plantings into entry points to the neighborhood to present an image of what Oakland is and aspires to be.
• Design for children. Design buildings, open spaces, and transportation projects to establish safe places and routes that allow children to navigate the neighborhood.

D3. Equitable economic development

• Access and influence. Ensure communities of color and immigrants are part of social and business networks and represented in leadership positions in Oakland.
• Minority and immigrant business focus. Prioritize tenanting of minority, women, and immigrant business enterprises, particularly by local residents, in ground floor spaces on commercial corridors.
• Access to careers. Regularly study and address barriers to participation for underrepresented communities in Oakland’s career opportunities at major employers.

D4. Housing

• Black and African-American residents. Ensure the needs of Oakland’s Black and African-American residents are addressed through initiatives that create housing and fight displacement.
• Transit oriented housing. Build and maintain affordable housing within walking distance of transit stations.
• Frontline and low income worker housing. Create housing that meets the needs of Oakland’s frontline and low income workers.
• Students as residents. Tap the full potential of Oakland’s diverse student population by providing the right mix of housing and amenities to retain them following graduation.

D5. Transit oriented development and commercial corridors and nodes

• Community hubs. Build up transit station amenities, wayfinding, and adjacent ground floor activities in buildings to create local hubs of community activity.
• Boulevard of the Allies as connector. Invest in development and infrastructure to create a healthy, comfortable, and enjoyable pedestrian and transit-oriented character that stitches together Central and South Oakland.

I2. Open space

• Functional open spaces. Assess open space needs of nearby residents, employees, and visitors, and make investments to parks and other open spaces to meet these needs.
• Integrate green. Integrate plantings into all investments to improve access and experiences with nature and serve important environmental functions.

I5. Tree canopy

• All hands on deck to grow the tree canopy. Go beyond regulatory requirements through programs and advocacy around planting new trees and retaining existing mature trees on private and public property.
• Engagement around trees. Improve civic engagement around tree canopy and development by leveraging partnerships with local organizations and providing volunteer opportunities.
• Shade parks. Respond to climate change by moving from a model of sunny, grassy parklands to open spaces that are shaded by trees to provide functional spaces enjoyable during longer summers and to provide more habitat function.

I6. Habitat restoration

• Value and enjoy habitat. Encourage educational programming and community development activities that expand who cares for and supports habitat restoration efforts.
• Bird friendly design. Design all buildings and infrastructure projects to reduce impacts to birds and other non-human species through best practices such as bird safe glazing and Dark Skies compliant lighting.

I8. Urban agriculture

• Growing food. Provide opportunities for residents and employees to spend time growing food as a means of increasing mental and public health while building community.

M1. Transit service and stations

• Amenities for riders. Ensure well-used bus stops have appropriate amenities for riders such as shade, seating, lighting, public art, and green features.
• Access to transit. All people in Oakland are within a five minute walk or roll of local transit service and/or a 10-minute non-auto connection to rapid transit service. Topography, rider age, and other relevant factors are considered as part of improving access.
• Safety and accessibility. All bus stops in Oakland meet PAAC design guidelines for safety and accessibility.
• Access to rapid transit in 10 minutes. All people in Oakland are within 10 minutes of rapid transit service.
• Multimodal connectivity. Ensure multimodal connectivity in the mobility network to, from, and around the neighborhood.

M2. Pedestrian access, safety, circulation

• Open space uses in the rights-of-way. Repurpose portions of streets to create places for community activities, leisure, and commerce. Successful pilot projects should be translated into permanent open spaces with thoughtful designs that incorporate stormwater management and other functions. Access to adjacent parking should be limited with new development and existing access points slowly migrated to other streets or alleys.
• Pedestrian and bicycle priority. In all projects, prioritize elements that improve pedestrian and bicycle safety over vehicular mobility.
• Pedestrian friendly. Enhance the pedestrian environment and design for pedestrian scale.
• Sidewalk experience improved. Ensure a safe, connected, and accessible network for all users of the sidewalk.
• Complete streets. Identify priority corridors for Complete Streets enhancements.

M3. Accessibility

• Identify ADA sidewalk needs. Work with the community to identify high-priority corridors and intersections to bring in compliance with ADA standards.
• Collaborate with disability community. Work with the disability community to ensure that designated on-street parking is appropriately sited.

M4. Bicycle infrastructure

• Bicycle supporting resources. Bike shops, repair stations, and other supportive resources are located throughout Oakland, particularly where on-street bicycle improvements have been prioritized.
• Bike(+) Plan. Implement the Bike(+) Plan for Oakland.
• Site Healthy Ride stations and mobility hubs. Work with the community and other partners to appropriately site Healthy Ride stations and other mobility hubs.
• Bike(+) experience improved. Ensure a safe, connected, and accessible network for all bike(+) users.

What are the projects and programs?

The projects and programs are a shared "To Do" list where the community and government identify the projects they want to undertake over the next 10 years to make the vision a reality. Many of the ideas you see below are the result of ideas from people in Oakland, supported by research and case studies, and now ready for your review and inclusion in the final plan.

---

Dig into the details

In the lists below, you'll get a title, brief description, and information about how the project or program could be realized including when it should start, by whom, and potential funding sources. For many of the ideas below there is "Learn More" button that takes you to a page full of details, drawings, illustrations, and specific ways to provide comments on that strategy. We highly recommend you dig into the details to see what your fellow Oaklanders came up with.

---

C-1. Free access to cultural institutions -- CLICK TO LEARN MORE

Ensure cultural institutions are accessible to everyone and free to access for Oakland residents.

• When to start: Ongoing
• Project lead(s): CMP, Arts and design committee
• Project partner(s): Carnegie Library, Carnegie Hall, OPA, institutions, OPDC
• Potential funding source(s): None needed

C-2. Support protests and public assembly activities

Create and share a protest and public assembly guide to support those advocating for various causes and reduce incidences of police and community violence. Identify institutional resources for those seeking more information about how to assemble legally.

• When to start: 5-10 years
• Project lead(s): City of Pittsburgh
• Project partner(s): Institutions, OBID, OTMA
• Potential funding source(s): Grants

D-1. Community reinvestment fund -- CLICK TO LEARN MORE

Establish a City Trust Fund that can receive payments from the Equitable Development Performance Point in the Zoning Code. This fund should be managed by the Department of City Planning in partnership with a community board that makes recommendations on investments that benefit all of Oakland.

• When to start: 0-2 years
• Project lead(s): DCP
• Project partner(s): City Council
• Potential funding source(s): None needed

D-2. Design guidelines -- CLICK TO LEARN MORE

Create design guidelines that establish shared expectations for both developers and the community about how to integrate community input into project design. These guidelines should create a design process that allows residents and other community members to feel that development and other types of projects contribute to their neighborhood instead of serve only to displace.

• When to start: 0-2 years
• Project lead(s): DCP, Arts and design committee
• Project partner(s): OBID, OPDC, PID, CMOA, OPA, art and design faculty at the University of Pittsburgh and CMU, local artists and designers
• Potential funding source(s): City Capital Budget, grants

D-4. Inclusionary zoning

Apply Inclusionary Zoning regulations to Oakland through rezonings.

• When to start: 0-2 years -- Part of the Oakland Plan Zoning Proposals
• Project lead(s): DCP
• Project partner(s): None specified
• Potential funding source(s): None needed

D-5. Missing middle housing

Conduct a study and implement any necessary Zoning Code amendments to support the expansion of Missing Middle Housing types, including Accessory Dwelling Units, in lower density residential areas. A primary goal should be to meet the needs of long-term residents and increase access to affordable housing.

• When to start: 3-5 years
• Project lead(s): DCP
• Project partner(s): None specified
• Potential funding source(s): City Capital Budget, grants

D-6. Oakland town center -- CLICK TO LEARN MORE

Redevelop University of Pittsburgh, UPMC, and City land in the Zulema Park area to create a dense node of activity where affordable housing, sustainable buildings, community service hubs, groceries, transit, and an enhanced Zulema Park serves the needs of residents. Isaly’s Building is retained and reactivated as a centerpiece of this area. Transform the Boulevard of the Allies from a barrier into a neighborhood connector.

• When to start: 0-2 years
• Project lead(s): DCP, University of Pittsburgh, UPMC
• Project partner(s): URA, HACP, PennDOT
• Potential funding source(s): Developers, bonds, grants, City Capital Budget, foundations

D-7. Resident marketing campaign

Develop marketing campaign that advertises positive aspects of Oakland in terms of central location, affordable housing efforts, walkability, transit access, parks, and cultural resources. The goal should be to attract a diverse set of permanent residents to locate in Oakland.

• When to start: 3-5 years
• Project lead(s): PID
• Project partner(s): OPDC, OBID, institutions, PAAC
• Potential funding source(s): Foundations, grants

I-7. Green alleys

Establish green alleys program to manage stormwater and work better for pedestrians. Consider improvements that can improve Euler and Iroquois Ways.

• When to start: 5-10 years
• Project lead(s): DCP
• Project partner(s): OBID, PWSA
• Potential funding source(s): Grants

I-8. Green street network -- CLICK TO LEARN MORE

Identify and make improvements on high-capture streets and alleys that can safely convey stormwater, improve pedestrian and bicycle safety, and add tree canopy through coordinated and intentional infrastructure. Projects should be in alignment with current stormwater code updates and include above ground green infrastructure where technically feasible.

• When to start: 0-2 years
• Project lead(s): DOMI, PWSA, DPW, DCP
• Project partner(s): TreePGH, PAAC, OPDC, OBID, institutions, neighborhood organizations, property owners and developers
• Potential funding source(s): City Capital Budget, grants, Shade Tree Commission, PWSA, Parking Enhancement District

I-9. Greening underutilized areas

Identify and improve underutilized and vacant land such as parking lots and areas in the right of way that can provide environmental benefit such as native plant gardens (e.g., Craft Avenue and Boulevard of the Allies). This strategy should precede the Community Gardens to have a comprehensive greening strategy.

• When to start: 5-10 years
• Project lead(s): OPDC, DCP
• Project partner(s): OBID, DOMI, DPW, Phipps
• Potential funding source(s): Open Space Trust Fund, Stormwater Trust Fund, grants

I-10. Greenway expansion

Prioritize projects such as the Lawn Street Greenway that incorporate tree retention, hillside stabilization, habitat, but allows for some view points, and programming opportunities.

• When to start: 3-5 years
• Project lead(s): City Council
• Project partner(s): Not specified
• Potential funding source(s): City Capital Budget

I-11. Oakland green space inventory and optimization

Starting with the open space inventory in the Existing Conditions Report, start to maintain an inventory of open spaces, their functions, and identified resident needs. This can be used to advocate for specific functions and design features with pubilc and private investments in open space.

• When to start: 3-5 years
• Project lead(s): OPDC, OBID
• Project partner(s): PPC
• Potential funding source(s): None needed

I-12. Open space expansion

Establish open space requirement in the Zoning Code that increases access to functional park-like spaces throughout Central Oakland.

• When to start: 0-2 years -- Part of the Oakland Plan Zoning Proposals
• Project lead(s): DCP
• Project partner(s): Not specified
• Potential funding source(s): None needed

M-1. Bicycle and pedestrian connection to the riverfront

Build an accessible pedestrian and bicycle connection between South Oakland and the Monongahela River. This could implement the long-desired Rock Alley Path which would connect the Oakcliffe area of South Oakland to the Eliza Furnace Trail.

• When to start: 5-10 years
• Project lead(s): DOMI
• Project partner(s): SPC, PennDOT, Oakcliffe Community Organization, OPDC, OTMA
• Potential funding source(s): Grants

M-2. Build up OTMA -- CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Update the Oakland Transportation Management Association’s strategic plan to diversify its funding sources and expand on its work to sustainably and equitably address Oakland’s many transportation needs.

• When to start: 0-2 years
• Project lead(s): OTMA
• Project partner(s): PAAC, DOMI, DCP, institutions, elected officials
• Potential funding source(s): CITF, GEDF, Neighborhood Allies, and the Forbes Fund

M-3. Central Oakland and Pitt Bicycle Connection -- CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Create a bicycle connection between Central Oakland and Pitt’s campus from Fifth/Forbes Avenue to O’Hara Street on either Bouquet Street or De Soto Street.

• When to start: 5-10 years
• Project lead(s): DOMI, University of Pittsburgh
• Project partner(s): OPDC, OBID, PAAC, Bike Pittsburgh
• Potential funding source(s): City Capital Budget, University of Pittsburgh, grants (e.g. multimodal funding with State DCED, CMAQ, TAP, federal Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, etc.)

M-4. Centre Avenue and Craig Street Pedestrian and Transit Safety Improvements -- CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Install pedestrian and transit safety improvements, green infrastructure, and a mobility hub at the intersection of Centre Avenue and Craig Street.

• When to start: 3-5 years
• Project lead(s): DOMI
• Project partner(s): PAAC
• Potential funding source(s): City Capital Budget, grants

M-5. Complete the Fifth Avenue bikeway -- CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Design and build the bicycle connection on Fifth Avenue between Bellefield Avenue and Neville Street to connect the dedicated bike lanes in Oakland with the major bike corridor in Shadyside and Junction Hollow Trail.

• When to start: 3-5 years
• Project lead(s): DOMI
• Project partner(s): OTMA, DCP, OPDC, Bike Pittsburgh, institutions
• Potential funding source(s): DOMI Capital Budget, County and State mobility grants, partnerships with institutions and developer

What are the projects and programs?

The projects and programs are a shared "To Do" list where the community and government identify the projects they want to undertake over the next 10 years to make the vision a reality. Many of the ideas you see below are the result of ideas from people in Oakland, supported by research and case studies, and now ready for your review and inclusion in the final plan.

---

Dig into the details

In the lists below, you'll get a title, brief description, and information about how the project or program could be realized including when it should start, by whom, and potential funding sources. For many of the ideas below there is "Learn More" button that takes you to a page full of details, drawings, illustrations, and specific ways to provide comments on that strategy. We highly recommend you dig into the details to see what your fellow Oaklanders came up with.

---

C-4. Access to cultural resources Coordinate events throughout the year where the public has access to art, architecture, and historic artifacts in Oakland similar to Doors Open Pittsburgh events. Events could also allow the public to learn more about innovation activities taking place in Oakland including research facility tours.

• When to start: 3-5 years
• Project lead(s): Institutions, CMP, Carnegie Library, OPDC, OBID
• Project partner(s): DOP (Doors Open Pittsburgh)
• Potential funding source(s): Institutions, OPA, City funds, grants

C-5. Arts and design committee -- CLICK TO LEARN MORE

Establish a committee that regularly brings together Oakland's cultural institutions, non-profit organizations, resident leaders, and institutions to collaborate on arts and cultural initiatives as well as the review of various types of projects including development and public art.

• When to start: 0-2 years
• Project lead(s): DCP
• Project partner(s): CMP, OBID, OPDC, neighborhood leaders, DCP, Carnegie Library, OPA, Pitt Art Committee representation, art and design faculty at CMU, CMU Masters of Arts Management program faculty/students, local artists and designers
• Potential funding source(s): Grants

C-6. Community building events

Build on the success of University of Pittsburgh's block parties with additional events throughout the year that involve institutions, non-profit, and resident organizations. An important goal of this program is to build relationships between long-term residents, short-term residents, students, business owners, and employees.

• When to start: 0-2 years
• Project lead(s): University of Pittsburgh, OBID, OPDC
• Project partner(s): Not specified
• Potential funding source(s): Institutions, organization budgets, City funds

C-11. Honor Oakland's heritage

Building off the Oakland Historic Architecture Inventory Report, the community and partners will conduct additional studies to understand the architectural and cultural heritage of different areas of Oakland and/or topics that lead to more formalized preservation activities for National or City designation. Actions can also include providing educational opportunities for the community to learn more about the resources identified in the report and to pursue financial resources to support preservation and restoration of historic assets.

• When to start: Ongoing
• Project lead(s): OPDC, PreservationPGH, DCP
• Project partner(s): OBID, Institutions
• Potential funding source(s): State grants, foundations, institutions

C-13. Live-work spaces for artists, entrepreneurs, and creatives

Work with non-profit organizations, institutions, developers, and property owners to create studio and/or live-work spaces for artists, entrepreneurs, and creatives throughout Oakland. Locations in highly visible locations on major corridors should be prioritized.

• When to start: Ongoing
• Project lead(s): Arts and design committee, OBID, OPDC, institutions
• Project partner(s): Developers, property owners, OPA
• Potential funding source(s): Allegheny Regional Asset District, OPA

C-17. Public art walks

Create a regular public art walk in Oakland that helps visitors and residents explore their neighborhood, with temporary and provocative artwork by young, diverse artists added as community programming.

• When to start: 3-5 years
• Project lead(s): OBID, CMP, OPA, Art and Design Committee
• Project partner(s): Not specified
• Potential funding source(s): CMP, Allegheny Regional Asset District, OPA

C-18. Resident representatives -- CLICK TO LEARN MORE

Establish funded positions that proactively engage the resident communities, including student residents, and identity groups. These positions can help ensure resident needs are integrated into decision-making processes, directly connected to services, take special focus on seniors and other community segments, connect with and facilitate community organizing, and be tailored to expressed community needs.

• When to start: 3-5 years
• Project lead(s): OPDC, DCP
• Project partner(s): Foundations, institutions
• Potential funding source(s): Community Reinvestment Fund, institutions, foundations

C-21. Support diversity in the artist community -- CLICK TO LEARN MORE

Support ever greater diversity in the artist community by highlighting and incorporating diverse artists into existing initiatives and developing additional opportunities.

• When to start: 3-5 years
• Project lead(s): OBID, OPDC, institutions, DCP, OPA
• Project partner(s): Not specified
• Potential funding source(s): Allegheny Regional Asset District, OPA

C-23. Targeted anti-displacement program

Create new grants, loans, and other programs that support existing residents who want to stay in their homes as well as stay in the neighborhood and to address the racial homeownership gap and racial wealth gap in Oakland. This work should include a deeper study to identify, support, and grow existing programs and to identify other related needs that would cause residents to leave the neighborhood. Efforts should be targeted to West and South Oakland.

• When to start: 3-5 years
• Project lead(s): DCP, OPDC, URA
• Project partner(s): Not specified
• Potential funding source(s): URA, State, institutions, foundations

D-12. Collaborate on local tenanting efforts

Establishing a committee that focuses on local business tenanting, shares experiences and resources, defines goals and tracks progress. Build on recent work by OBID, OPDC, and UPMC to tenant local businesses by expanding this effort across all commercial property owners and relevant non-profit organizations, particularly the institutions.

• When to start: 0-2 years
• Project lead(s): OBID
• Project partner(s): OPDC, PID, PHDC, institutions
• Potential funding source(s): None needed

D-13. Community reinvestment board -- CLICK TO LEARN MORE

Establish a board to work with the Department of City Planning to spend money from the new City Trust Fund proposed to receive funds from the Equitable Development Performance Point and potentially other sources.

• When to start: 0-2 years
• Project lead(s): DCP
• Project partner(s): Oakland organizations, Partners4Work, Pittsburgh Hispanic Development Corporation, Vibrant Pittsburgh, URA
• Potential funding source(s): Developers, bonds, grants, City Capital Budget, foundations

D-14. Diversity, equity, and inclusion principles

Establish shared targets and/or principles among institutions and major employers for hiring local firms, MWDBE firms, Oakland residents, and tenanting local businesses. Any project seeking funds from public sector or Oakland organizations or on institutional or public lands should meet these goals. Base proposals on best practices elsewhere to ensure targets are meaningful and enforceable to create accountability. Meeting these objectives will require mentorship programs and other work to build up the pipeline of these businesses.

• When to start: 3-5 years
• Project lead(s): City of Pittsburgh, OBID, institutions, major employers, OPDC
• Project partner(s): PID
• Potential funding source(s): None needed

D-15. Employer assisted housing

Establish Employer Assistant Housing Programs at all major employers and consider the potential benefits of a single shared program. Program(s) should work with those building and advocating for housing so the needs of employees can be met. Consider maintaining waitlists for housing types at employers that are then used by developers as they establish projects and decide on units and look to lease/sell them. Identify a role for smaller businesses to be part of this program. Program(s) may also consider utilizing the Oakland Community Land Trust as it helps maintain a long-term stable base of affordable homeownership opportunities.

• When to start: 0-2 years
• Project lead(s): Institutions, UPMC, OBID, OPDC
• Project partner(s): Developers, PID
• Potential funding source(s): Organization budgets

D-16. Equitable development committee

Establish a workforce committee with all providers and major employers to continually share practices, opportunities, work together to launch new initiatives, share opportunities with residents. Map and understand the workforce pipeline programs in place, what works, what doesn’t, and the gaps. The main goal should to connect residents and their children to opportunities.

• When to start: 0-2 years
• Project lead(s): Partners4Work, PID
• Project partner(s): DCP, URA, institutions, foundations, major STEM employers, OPDC, resident representatives, other education and training partners
• Potential funding source(s): None needed

D-17. Global district -- CLICK TO LEARN MORE

Support and grow an inclusive district on Fifth and Forbes Avenues where there is a strong market for global food and grocery types. Proactively match spaces with businesses that reinforce and grow the multi-cultural nature of this corridor's business community.

• When to start: 0-2 years
• Project lead(s): OBID, URA, DCP
• Project partner(s): Institutions, student associations, PID, PHDC
• Potential funding source(s): Community Reinvestment Fund, foundations, grants

D-19. Neighborhood sustainability identity

Establish a neighborhood identity linked to sustainability, equity, and resilience such as an ecodistrict. This work should build on and support the efforts in this plan.

• When to start: 3-5 years
• Project lead(s): OPDC, OBID, OTMA, institutions, neighborhood associations
• Project partner(s): None identified
• Potential funding source(s): Grants

D-20. Opportunities for Hispanic businesses

Implement the findings of the Pittsburgh Hispanic Development Corporation that show Oakland is the most desirable location for Pittsburgh’s Hispanic entrepreneurs to start businesses. Overcome barriers to entry including lack of space, high rents, and language barriers.

• When to start: 0-2 years
• Project lead(s): OBID, PHDC, University of Pittsburgh Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence
• Project partner(s): PID
• Potential funding source(s): Community Reinvestment Fund, foundations, grants

D-21. Provide low-cost commercial space -- CLICK TO LEARN MORE

Ensure a range of low-cost spaces are available in Oakland to support capital constrained innovation businesses.

• When to start: 0-2 years
• Project lead(s): OBID, URA
• Project partner(s): PID, institutions, large property owners, foundations, DCP
• Potential funding source(s): Building owners, Community reinvestment fund

D-22. Revolving loan program -- CLICK TO LEARN MORE

Establish a revolving loan fund through an institution or other partnership that provides low interest loans to affordable housing projects citywide to address needs. Establish criteria for the loans that support other goals such as proximity to transit and sustainability.

• When to start: 0-2 years
• Project lead(s): City of Pittsburgh, institutions
• Project partner(s): HACP, URA, URA, Allegheny Conference, Allegheny County, foundations
• Potential funding source(s): City bonds, institutions

D-23. Support local businesses

Expand programs to support entrepreneurs and existing business through by providing a range of services including help with business plans, business structure, and business-to-business networks. The program should build up connections with MWBEs. Provide program and resources in multiple languages and proactively advertise opportunities through immigrant networks.

• When to start: 3-5 years
• Project lead(s): OBID, University of Pittsburgh Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence
• Project partner(s): PID
• Potential funding source(s): Community Reinvestment Fund, foundations, grants

I-19. Comprehensive tree strategy -- CLICK TO LEARN MORE

Build on work of citywide and Oakland non-profits as well as institutions to create a cohesive neighborhood-wide tree canopy strategy that recognizes trees as vital and cost-effective infrastructure. Includes preservation of existing trees, funding and planting of new trees, and maintenance of trees along streets, on private property, and in open spaces.

• When to start: 0-2 years
• Project lead(s): TreePGH, DCP
• Project partner(s): WPC, DPW, OPDC, OBID, institutions, DLC
• Potential funding source(s): TreePGH, WPC, City of Pittsburgh

I-20. Encourage more community gardens -- CLICK TO LEARN MORE

Establish a system of community gardens throughout the neighborhood that provide social benefits and increase food access. These could be established on public or institutional land or in open spaces created by new development. Partner with community groups and non-profit to startup new community gardens.

• When to start: 3-5 years
• Project lead(s): OPDC, Phipps, institutions
• Project partner(s): Student governments, neighborhood associations, DPW
• Potential funding source(s): Grow Pittsburgh, Allegheny Land Trust, grants

I-21. Establish pollinator conversion programs -- CLICK TO LEARN MORE

Work with Oakland institutions and student organizations to establish and implement a de-lawning campaign that converts campus and public lands into more habitat welcoming spaces.

• When to start: 0-2 years
• Project lead(s): DCP, DPW, Phipps, CMP
• Project partner(s): OPDC, OBID, institutions, neighborhood associations
• Potential funding source(s): Grants

M-14. Address enforcement biases

Create and maintain anonymized and tabulated data about traffic and parking enforcement. Work with university faculty subject experts to analyze the data to identify biases and inequities and establish recommendations to address them.

• When to start: 3-5 years
• Project lead(s): Public Safety, DOMI, PPA
• Project partner(s): OPDC, OBID, institutions
• Potential funding source(s): None needed

M-15. All weather walkability

Create partnership between the City of Pittsburgh and Oakland-based institutions and non-profits ensure all-weather walkability. This includes snow clearing, particularly in cases where there are absent or challenged owners.

• When to start: 5-10 years
• Project lead(s): DOMI, institutions, OPDC, OBID, OTMA
• Project partner(s): Not specified
• Potential funding source(s): City Capital Budget, institutions, grants

M-16. Bike route improvements -- CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Fill critical gaps in Oakland’s bicycle network through the installation of safe, convenient bicycle facilities that would make biking a reasonable transportation option for thousands more people.

• When to start: Ongoing
• Project lead(s): DOMI
• Project partner(s): Institutions, OTMA, OPDC, OBID, BikePGH, Pittsburgh Bikeshare, PID
• Potential funding source(s): City Capital Budget, institutions, grants

M-19. Bus stop enhancements -- CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Improve transit users’ access, comfort and mobility when taking transit by including weather protection, lighting, art, green features, signage, bike parking, and safe multimodal connections, in addition to minimum bus stop features, where appropriate, based on prioritization criteria. Ensure that bus stops are accessible via well-marked crosswalks and well-maintained sidewalks.

• When to start: Ongoing
• Project lead(s): PAAC, DOMI
• Project partner(s): Arts and design committee, OPDC, and neighborhood associations
• Potential funding source(s): PAAC, OPA, institutions, foundation grants in partnership with OBID and OPDC

M-21. Connecting east-west within the city (transit)-- CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Add new east-west transit connections to the Hill District and Strip District to the west, and Hazelwood to the east.

• When to start: 3-5 years
• Project lead(s): PAAC
• Project partner(s): DOMI, DCP
• Potential funding source(s): Grants

M-22. Connecting to eastern corridor growth -- CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Improve frequency and speed of transit service to areas to the east of Pittsburgh all the way to Monroeville. Improved service can ensure that Oakland jobs are connected to these rapidly developing areas and help drive transit-oriented development along the corridor.

• When to start: 5-10 years
• Project lead(s): PAAC
• Project partner(s): Not specified
• Potential funding source(s): PAAC

M-23. Connecting to national air transportation -- CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Establish frequent and direct transit service between Oakland and the airport consistent with the Port Authority’s Long-Range Transit Plan. Equip transit vehicles to accommodate users’ luggage. This project will have convenience, economic development, and sustainability benefits.

• When to start: 5-10 years
• Project lead(s): PAAC
• Project partner(s): Allegheny County Airport Authority
• Potential funding source(s): PAAC

M-25. Connecting to the Mon valley communities -- CLICK HERE AND HERE TO LEARN MORE

Expand on the benefits of the Downtown-Oakland-East End Bus Rapid Transit system by upgrading transit service to the Mon valley communities including Braddock, East Pittsburgh, Homestead, and McKeesport. Doing so would greatly improve access to Oakland jobs for those living in these communities.

• When to start: 5-10 years
• Project lead(s): PAAC
• Project partner(s): Not specifiied
• Potential funding source(s): PAAC

M-26. Connecting to the North and South Hills -- CLICK HERE, and HERE, and HERE TO LEARN MORE

Improve transit service to the North and South Hill areas where many Oakland employees live to reduce auto trips into Oakland. Travel time and frequency are key considerations in meeting the needs of commuters traveling longer distances into and out of Oakland each day.

• When to start: 5-10 years
• Project lead(s): PAAC
• Project partner(s): Institutions
• Potential funding source(s): PAAC

M-29. Eliminate obstructions to improve accessibility

Create program to systematically eliminate conflicts where utility poles create obstructions for pedestrians and wheelchair users. Start the program by conducting a complete survey of all such conflicts. This survey should be used to identify locations each year where conflicts will be removed and as a means to identify opportunities where other projects can eliminate them as part of their work.

• When to start: 0-2 years
• Project lead(s): DOMI
• Project partner(s): Utilities, institutions, OTMA, Oakland for All
• Potential funding source(s): City Capital Budget

M-31. Improve city steps -- CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Continue to implement City Steps Plan, but add additional features such as wayfinding, runnels, maintenance, emergency call boxes for all projects.

• When to start: Ongoing
• Project lead(s): DOMI
• Project partner(s): Not specified
• Potential funding source(s): City Capital Budget, grants

M-33. Partnerships for micromobility solutions

Establish working group of affected stakeholders in Oakland, including residents, to be part of decision-making processes for the siting of shared mobility services. Study opportunities to improve scooter and micromobility enforcement related to sidewalk safety and obstructions.

• When to start: 0-2 years
• Project lead(s): DOMI
• Project partner(s): Institutions, OTMA, OBID, OPDC, neighborhood associations
• Potential funding source(s): None needed

M-34. Pedestrian safety improvements -- CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Install pedestrian safety improvements throughout Oakland at intersections and corridors that were identified during the planning process as posing safety risks.

• When to start: Ongoing
• Project lead(s): DOMI
• Project partner(s): Institutions, OTMA, OBID, OPDC, PennDOT, SPC, DCP, Oakland for All, neighborhood associations
• Potential funding source(s): City Capital Budget, County and State mobility grants, partnerships with institutions and developers

M-37. Sidewalk connections and accessibility improvements -- CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Create a program to inventory, prioritize, and install sidewalk and accessibility improvements that address obstructions to pedestrian travel throughout Oakland.

• When to start: Ongoing
• Project lead(s): DOMI, DPW
• Project partner(s): DCP, PennDOT, utilities, PAAC, OPDC, OBID, neighborhood associations
• Potential funding source(s): City Capital Budget, grants

M-42. Walking is healthy informational campaign

Develop campaign with UPMC that highlights walking as part of an active, healthy lifestyle (e.g. Healthy Oakland branding, sitting is the new smoking). Could involve larger group of stakeholders and include walking incentives (e.g., CityFit program and other insurance benefits provided through employers).

• When to start: 3-5 years
• Project lead(s): DOMI, UPMC
• Project partner(s): OTMA
• Potential funding source(s): UPMC