The Great Return of the Hill
Conceived in collaboration with local Hill community members and their allies and produced by Yancey Consulting (YC), this report maps viable recommendations to activate the Hill District’s Centre Avenue as a thriving Black cultural and commercial corridor.
Across the years, multiple generative studies have been produced that map the needed and ongoing (re)development of the Hill District. This report is not intended to duplicate or be redundant to the existing plans but to weave ideas that most resonate with Hill District community members at this time and offer up a viable road map of activating Centre Ave and surrounding areas as a Black cultural and commercial corridor in the short to long term. The recommendations are born out of a framework that emerged from conversations with community members. When inquired about and unraveled through dialogue, a proposed mixture of experiences, basic services, safe havens, businesses, intergenerational social gathering spaces, green spaces, learning centers, food spaces, health and wellness spaces, real estate, and entertainment venues was needed to bring a thriving commerce to the Hill. We also learned in this process that this activation plan, although stewarded by the Hill CDC, is not only about the Hill CDC. It’s about the Hill–not any one institution. A thriving Black cultural and commercial community can only manifest when many come together to advance a shared vision and agenda.
An African proverb reveals, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” These recommendations recognize and enjoin a collective buy-in. They are designed for every representation within the Hill to see themselves participating. You will see many activations in this report that suggest partnerships and various ways for members of this incredible Hill community to come together.
Recognized by AIA Pittsburgh, the Centre Avenue Redevelopment and Design Plan is a state-of-the-art community redevelopment plan that the Hill CDC stewarded and continues to implement on a daily basis.
You can view the entire plan below.
The Centre Avenue Redevelopment and Design Plan
The Centre Avenue Corridor journeys through the heart of the Hill District serving as the main street, the hub of commercial activity, and the core of community investment. Its continued use and collective growth will emphasize the integrity and character of the Hill District’s social fabric. Presently, the Centre Avenue Corridor has garnered ample consideration through diverse collaborations, i.e., funding via the Design Center of Pittsburgh; and UDream, technical partners of the Hill CDC and urban fellows in various design professions.
A Future In The Making
After receiving funding from the Design Center of Pittsburgh, the Hill CDC issued a Redevelopment and Design RFP to further implementation and investment strategies along Centre Avenue connecting Crawford Street to Dinwiddie Street to Reed Street. After careful deliberation of various firms, the Steering Committee selected evolveEA, who offered the most critical plan of action to further this unique development opportunity. The process led to extensive community engagement and encouraged in-depth community participation. The Steering Committee of community stakeholder met with the selected consultants to review project goals and clearly define community process. The Hill CDC and Steering Committee completed the plan in the Winter of 2015.
You can view and download the plan below.
Centre Ave Steering Committee
A Steering Committee of Hill District residents, business owners, and stakeholders convened to direct the RFP process, establish project goals, select the Redevelopment and Design consultant to reflect the community’s values and culture, and direct the community process.
CentreFlow
The Community selected the name Centreflow to brand the redevelopment design process.
Community Identity Workshops and an interactive MindMixer website were tools used as part of Centreflow.
You can view the CentreFlow presentation below.
