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New Special Tax District to Fund North Side Development, Firefighters to Staff Wilkinsburg, and Goodwill to Run Summer Jobs Program for City Youth—City Council Week of Feb 17

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Be Heard: Fill out the survey below. We'll share the results in the Public Comment section of the next City Council meeting.

City Council

Council to Use Future Tax Revenue to Fund Infrastructure for North Side Esplanade (Ferris Wheel) Development.

Most new tax revenue from a planned North Side development would be reinvested on-site and in Manchester. Right now, the area brings in $84,000 a year in taxes, and that's projected to reach $8 million after the project. Council gave preliminary approval to creating the tax financing district, with a final vote next Tuesday. Future apartments and shops will still need separate approvals.

Written by Amy Whipple

  • Council President Lavelle clarified that the motion before the council is solely for creating the TRID—a financing tool that leverages future tax revenue to fund transit-oriented development (TOD) projects. Future developments, including high-end and affordable apartments and retail/dining establishments, will need additional approvals.
  • The area currently generates $84K in annual taxes. After the project’s completion, it is projected to generate an estimated $8 million, with 75% reinvested on-site and in the Manchester neighborhood; the remaining 25% would still more than double the current tax base.
  • In a preliminary vote, the council enthusiastically approved the plan and commended Councilperson Lavelle for involving Manchester residents in advocating for their needs. A final vote is scheduled for next Tuesday’s general meeting. The plan also requires approval from County Council and the Pittsburgh Public School Board.

City Council

Providing Fire and Emergency Management Services to Wilkinsburg.

The Pittsburgh Fire Department will provide fire and disaster management services to Wilkinsburg under a five-year deal. Council approved the agreement, which has a total cost of about $11.9 million. The two have had these deals since 2011, and the new one is retroactive to January 2024. Services include smoke detector installation and fire code enforcement, but each keeps its own emergency medical services.

Written by Amy Whipple

  • The council approved a five-year Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement with the Borough of Wilkinsburg. Under the agreement, the Pittsburgh Fire Department will provide fire and emergency (disaster) management services to Wilkinsburg at a total cost of $11,933,932.
  • The cost will cover the expanded role for City Firefighters as calculated by their existing union contract.
  • The municipalities have maintained these agreements since 2011. The previous agreement expired on December 31, 2023, and the new agreement is retroactive to January 1, 2024.
  • In addition to standard fire management, services include non-emergency activities such as smoke detector installations and fire code enforcement. Both municipalities share a disaster management plan covering events like landslides, hazardous materials spills, and disease outbreaks, while retaining separate emergency medical services.

City Council

Goodwill Authorized to Receive $200K to Run 2025 Learn and Earn Summer Youth Employment Program.

Youth from low-income households can get summer jobs through the Learn and Earn program. This year, Goodwill of Southwestern PA is authorized to receive $200,000 to run it. The money covers only administrative costs and doesn't pay participants' wages. Over six weeks, participants earn about $7.25 an hour in fields like social services, media, and science.

Written by Amy Whipple

  • Goodwill of Southwestern PA will receive funding to runa program offering summer job opportunities for youth ages 14–21 from low-income households.
  • The funding only covers the administrative costs and not participant salaries.
  • Over a six-week period, participants work in fields such as social services, media and technology, and science and engineering, gaining professional experience, technical skills, and insights into employer expectations.
  • Participants can work up to 25 hours per week and earn approximately $7.25 per hour.

Action Items

Let the City Council know how you feel about the above issues by taking this brief survey. We'll share everyone’s thoughts directly before they take a vote (We wont be presenting in person until we get to 50 respondants).

Take the survey here (~1 minute)