Coro Fellows Investigate Development and Displacement in a Changing Pittsburgh
Having weathered industrialization and decades of steady population decline, Pittsburgh is undoubtedly on the rebound - with a once-in-a-generation building boom, engaged and progressive civic leaders, and its recent designation as the most “livable” city in the continental United States. But, a livable city must be more than desirable for its newcomers; it must be livable for all residents.
The Coro Fellows Urban Affairs Week focuses on delving deeper into one aspect of an issue that significantly affects different communities in Pittsburgh. The process allows focused investigation of a specific topic. The Fellows chose housing in Pittsburgh. After considering the different layers and reflecting on the challenges and opportunities for development in Pittsburgh, the cohort decided to focus specifically on balancing development and displacement in Pittsburgh.
The first three days of the week were spent interviewing and meeting with different experts that worked in or had experiences with development and displacement in Pittsburgh. The Fellows sought to meet with various individuals to capture and better understand the different perspectives on development and displacement in the City. Over the course of three days, the Fellows interviewed 28 community leaders, each providing their own insight into the dimensions affecting housing affordability and the potential displacement of residents.
From government leaders like Councilman Daniel Lavelle and Jessica Smith Perry of the Urban Redevelopment Authority, the Fellows heard the perspective of the City government which seeks to provide a framework for inclusive development. Another perspective came from community development organizations that strive to both preserve Pittsburgh’s communities while considering opportunities for development. Among discussions with individuals involved in the Hill District Consensus Group, DRB Community Development Consulting, and East Liberty Development Inc., the Fellows learned about the difficulties of balancing growth and preserving community identity. Time was also taken to meet with individuals across Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods. From Homewood to the Northside, effort was made to capture the particular character of development and displacement occurring differently in each neighborhood.
At the end of the week, the Fellows presented to Coro Pittsburgh Staff, Public Allies, and experts that they interviewed. In order to capture the diverse perspectives of the 12 Fellows, four of the Fellows presented their own perspectives coming into the week and how those perspectives were challenged or confirmed by the interviews throughout the week. Each Fellow supported their argument with facts and evidence from the interview, which highlighted the nuance, emotion, and complexity of development and displacement in Pittsburgh.
After the 15-minute presentation, the Fellows facilitated a four-corner activity that allowed the audience to reflect on their own perspectives. The Fellows presented a series of statements around the issues of race, development, displacement, and a changing Pittsburgh while participants moved to a corner that signified Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, and Strongly Disagree. The Fellows then split participants into smaller groups and facilitated discussion and reflection on the four corners activity and the presentation.
Feedback from the audience included statements such as: “I feel a reinforced desire to continue having these conversations” and “this presentation inspired me to focus on building my own education around these issues.” This feedback indicated that the Fellows were able to convey the complexity of the issue and engage the audience in a discussion that allowed them to reflect on their own perspectives and the new ideas that had been presented.
The Coro Fellows would like to thank all of the Subject Matter Experts for providing them with the insight and information that helped them grow in their knowledge of development in Pittsburgh.
Lena Andrews of ACTION Housing
Demi Kolke of Operation Better Block
Jose Diaz of YMCA Hope for All
David Brewton of DRB Community Development Consulting
Jerry Gaudi and Craig Keto of Impact Redevelopment
City Councilman Daniel Lavelle
Carl Redwood of the Hill District Consensus Group
Alex Wallach-Hanson of Pittsburgh United
Chuck Alcorn of the Urban Redevelopment Authority
Joshua Pollard of Omicelo
Patrick Shattuck of Mon Valley Initiative
Damon Young of Ebony Magazine
Samuel Su of Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group
Sabina Deitrick of Pitt Social and Urban Research
Bethany Davidson of Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group
Malik Bankston of the Kingsley Association
Molly Nichols of Pittsburghers for Public Transit
Derric Heck of Waverly Development Group
Eric Jester of New Burgh Real Estate
Peter Brewton of East Liberty Development Inc.
Tim Stevens of Black Empowerment Project
Nenha Young of Pittsburgh City Planning
Patricia Parker and Ronell Guy of Northside Coalition for Fair Housing
Ann Killian of FHL Bank Pittsburgh
Jessica Perry Smith of Housing at the URA
Valerie McDonald-Roberts of Mayor Peduto’s Administration
Councilman Burgess and Chief of Staff Martia Bradley
Zoe Mizuho of Community Land Trust Group