Aliquippa Ecodistrict Vision Statements August 2020 | Version 1.0
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Aliquippa Aliquippa is located along the Ohio River, approximately 25 miles northwest of the City of Pittsburgh. During the first part of the 20th century, Aliquippa was best known for the Jones and Laughlin (J&L) steel mill that was located along the riverfront. J&L sustained employment for a population of over 27,000 people by 1940 and is responsible for many of the buildings and infrastructure that remain in the city today. The closure of the mill in the 1980s resulted in significant economic loss, and compounded by the overall trend of moving to the suburbs, led to major population loss. Businesses closed, the tax base declined, and the City began having difficulty paying its bills.1 In the 1980s the state of Pennsylvania designated Aliquippa a distressed community (Pennsylvania Act 47), a status that the city has held for over 30 years, the longest of any municipality in the state.2 Today, the population of Aliquippa is approximately 9,230 people. The median household income is about $34,000 per year and 30% of all households are at or below the poverty level. Aliquippa’s primary business district, Franklin Avenue, still contains many sturdy 2- and 4-story historic structures, but currently suffers a 42% vacancy rate.3,6 The City lacks a grocery store and hospital, and many residents must travel outside of the city for work or shopping.1 Despite this, a grassroots movement of individuals and organizations have started working collectively to improve the quality of life in Aliquippa. Of the three ecodistrict communities in Beaver County, Aliquippa is in many ways the most mature in terms of community organizing and has demonstrated robust alignment between nonprofit, business, and religious partners. Although, to date, this work has occurred in parallel to existing municipal efforts, there are nevertheless increasingly sophisticated plans and relationships surrounding ecodistrict thinking in Aliquippa. This community led, grassroots initiative, stands as an exciting model for revitalization that is directed primarily by citizen efforts.7 Looking forward, the Aliquippa Ecodistrict has established several priorities to focus on over the next three years, including: 1.
formalizing the governance relationship between RiverWise and Aliquippa stakeholders
2. community capacity building and growing support for the ecodistrict initiative 3. exploring and articulating the alignment between existing Aliquippa activity and organizations and the ecodistrict initiative 4. engaging in ongoing storytelling about community initiatives 5. assisting with the development of the Franklin Avenue Park
2020 Aliquippa Snapshot3,4,5 9,230 people
4,280
households
$34,000
median household income
43.2%
minority population
30%
of households at or below the poverty level
59%
homeownership
43
median age
337
businesses US EPA & City of Aliquippa Economic Development Corporation, 2019. Delta Development Group, 2014. 3 ESRI forecast for 2019, U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2010 Summary File 1. 4 ESRI, InfoGroup, 2019. 5 ESRI, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Expenditure Surveys 2016 and 2017. 6 City of Aliquippa Economic Development Corporation, 2017. 7 RiverWise, 2018. 1
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EQUITY
Aliquippa is a vibrant and diverse community that prospers when residents work together.
FOOD
Aliquippa is a collaborative community where fresh, healthy, and affordable food is accessible to all.
WATER
Aliquippa is an interconnected community where water systems contribute to a healthy environment and economy.
ENERGY
Aliquippa is a pioneering community that is redefining what energy means to them.
AIR
Aliquippa is a healthy community with clean air indoors and outdoors.
MOBILITY
Aliquippa is a safe community where all people have reliable and effective mobility options. Community Overviews | 3
Non-profit organizations & civic and institutional assets Franklin Avenue Commercial Corridor Aliquippa Industrial Park
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ALIQUIPPA
EQUITY
Aliquippa artist, Marlon Gist, creating a painting during The Gathering: A Food Truck Experience
Aliquippa is a vibrant and diverse community that prospers when residents work together. ASSETS Numerous historic buildings are great candidates for redevelopment Mission-driven organizations that are dedicated to collaborative change, including but not limited to: Aliquippa Economic Development Corporation (AEDC), Aliquippa Impact, Uncommon Grounds Cafe, Community of Celebration, Salvation Army, Franklin Avenue Development Committee (FADC), B.F. Jones Memorial Library, The Franklin Center, The Greenhouse, Communicycle, and eQuip Books Sites such as the Aliquippa Industrial Park are places of economic activity, providing opportunity for residents Growing and intentional commitment to racial reconciliation, organizational integration, and shared leadership among a growing number of leaders Steady influx of transplants who are moving to and investing in the social fabric of the community Uncommon Grounds Cafe’s physical and symbolic presence as an organization committed to community formation
CHALLENGES Vacancy along Franklin Avenue, weakening its identity and infrastructure as the “town center”
A history of community division, competition, and limited cooperation across organizational boundaries Aliquippa has been identified by the EPA as an environmental justice community Lack of workforce development and jobs skills programs, perpetuating cycles of generational poverty, and limited upward mobility Barriers to healthcare access
PRIORITIES Capacity building, shared learning, and trust building in the community Revitalize Franklin Avenue in ways that serve the needs of all residents, while preserving the existing character of historic structures Develop the Franklin Avenue Park as a demonstration of the ecodistrict commitment to equitable development Initiate a community storytelling campaign that sheds light on stories of triumph and excellence among residents of Aliquippa
Aliquippa has already... Convened local stakeholders to establish the Aliquippa Ecodistrict Launched the Greenhouse Lab, a social impact incubator Started a Youth Humanities Learning Cohort Acquired funding from the National Endowment for the Arts for cultural programming at Uncommon Grounds Cafe
Reconnect the Franklin Avenue corridor to the Ohio River, providing all residents access to natural amenities Work to encourage transparency in community priority setting and decision making so that all residents’ voices are included Community Overviews | 5
Food production places Food processing places Food distribution places Transit Routes
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ALIQUIPPA
FOOD
James von Minden, a resident of Aliquippa’s Community of Celebration, enjoying ice cream
Aliquippa is a collaborative community where fresh, healthy, and affordable food is accessible to all. ASSETS Local organizations that provide free or reduced cost food to residents, such as the YMCA Free Lunch program and Salvation Army food pantry Resources and capacity building in support of the Food Access Action Plan (EPA, 2019) Local community gardens, such as the Spring Street community garden, the future B.F. Jones Memorial Library Garden, and the RiverWise Victory Garden at The Gospel Tabernacle Food-related community programming, such as The Gathering Pop-up Food Truck events Existing food-related businesses, such as ALDI, Uncommon Grounds Cafe, the weekly Farmers’ Market, and other emerging foodrelated businesses
CHALLENGES Lack of access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food (Aliquippa is a food desert) Lack of reliable transportation options to travel to food distribution locations
Limited resources, space, and knowledge to expand community gardens Difficulty finding a grocery store or fresh food market to locate along Franklin Avenue
PRIORITIES Perform a market study to better understand the feasibility of a market or grocery store on Franklin Avenue near the Route 51 interchange Implement projects and programs that improve access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food, especially among disadvantaged groups Create conditions that attract food-related businesses to Aliquippa’s historic downtown Support and encourage food entrepreneurs through innovative funding, shared kitchen space, and enhanced marketing of the city Encourage local production of fresh food that can be utilized in both residential and commercial applications Reinvigorate Aliquippa’s neighborhood markets and provide them with fresh food options Educate residents about healthy food production and preparation
Aliquippa has already... Hosted numerous food-related community events through the Franklin Avenue Development Committee Established an Aliquippa Local Food Coalition Engaged in Regional Food Coalition conversations Undertaken preliminary planning around food systems and delivery in Aliquippa Established the Spring St. Garden and began planning the B.F. Jones Memorial Library Garden Initiated a community Victory Garden in response to COVID-19
Community Overviews | 7
Relocation of dam, water obstruction, or encroachment Ports Flood Zone AE 100 Year Flood Risk Wetlands/Streams
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ALIQUIPPA
WATER
Spring Street Creek
Aliquippa is an interconnected community where water systems contribute to a healthy environment and economy. ASSETS
PRIORITIES
Potential for adjacent access to the Ohio River
Create public riverfront access by revitalizing the riverfront industrial centers and creating a riverfront park
The Spring St. Creek and Logstown Run One of the largest undeveloped parcels of riverfront property east of the Mississippi River New commercial shipping dock along the Ohio River Productive wells along the Ohio River Growing community advocacy for improved pubic water
CHALLENGES Lack of public riverfront access Flooding under Franklin Avenue due to the culverting of Logstown Run. This has resulted in significant flash flooding in 2007 and 2011
Improve vehicular and pedestrian circulation between the river park, riverfront trail, and Franklin Avenue Acquire the Logstown Run outfall and perform major habitat restoration, stormwater management improvements, and a public riverfront park Create distributed stormwater management sites along Franklin Avenue that also contribute to placemaking Undertake community education about water quality, safety, and conservation
Aliquippa has already... Initiated Water Quality Education & Testing Incorporated stormwater management into the plan for the Franklin Avenue Park Begun planning that ensures river access along the Ohio River Trail
Inadequate capacity of stormwater infrastructure Stormwater runoff into Logstown Run and the Ohio River Variable quality and reliability of the public water supply Aging municipal water system Terrain surrounding the downtown funnels water into the low lying business district
Community Overviews | 9
Natural Gas Pipeline (NG) Hydrocarbon Gas Liquids Pipeline (HGL) Electric Power Transmission Lines (E) EPA Recommended Renewable Energy Site (reuse of contaminated land) Estimated Building Electricity Use < 0 KWh/yr < 12,500 KWh/yr < 14,000 KWh/yr < 14,500 KWh/yr < 46,000 KWh/yr < 3,200,000 KWh/yr
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ALIQUIPPA
ENERGY
The lobby of B.F. Jones Memorial Library, a potential solar site in downtown Aliquippa
Aliquippa is a pioneering community that is redefining what energy means to them. ASSETS
PRIORITIES
High potential for renewable energy, such as solar energy, wind energy, and potentially hydroelectricity
Launch building weatherization program that helps residents save energy and reduce their utility bills
Growing community interest in alternative forms of clean energy production
Investigate the potential of solar panels and wind turbines on existing buildings and publicly owned land
Opportunity for significant redevelopment using energy efficient building standards
CHALLENGES Regional dependency on the fossil fuel industry for jobs, which discourages adoption of alternative energy solutions Low cost of fossil fuel-based energy does not encourage a transition to renewable energy sources Relatively old building stock that is in need of weatherization improvements
Support alternative means of transportation with biking, pedestrian, public transportation, and electric vehicle infrastructure
Aliquippa has already... Solicited initial plans to solarize the roof of B.F. Jones Memorial Library Promoted the Beaver County Solar Co-Op
Promote solar energy on key buildings throughout the city such as the B.F. Jones Memorial Library, Uncommon Grounds Cafe, and more Support and encourage the upgrade of existing municipal lighting to energy efficient LEDs
Currently lacks funding, knowledge, and community interest to invest in building weatherization improvements, electric vehicles, and renewable energy projects
Community Overviews | 11
PA DEP Air Emissions Plants (Point Sources of Pollution) Air Pollution Control Device
Major Roads
General Administrative Location
Railroad Lines
Fuel Material Location
Open Space
Process
Parks
Incinerator Combustion Unit Point of Air Emission
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EPA Toxic Release Inventory Facility (Point Source of Pollution)
ALIQUIPPA
AIR
Aliquippa residents beautify Franklin Avenue during a 2019 Earth Day Community Clean Up
Aliquippa is a healthy community with clean air indoors and outdoors. ASSETS
PRIORITIES
Wooded hillsides, green spaces, and trees that sequester air pollution
Protect and enhance natural areas, including steep, undevelopable wooded hillsides, natural habitat areas, and natural habitat corridors
Growing commitment to air quality monitoring and education among some segments of the population
CHALLENGES Air quality is currently poor and likely to become worse as the region reindustrializes Many residents travel by car, which contributes to air pollution There is a high rate of chronic disease risk factors, which makes residents more susceptible to air quality-related health issues Many residents continue to lack awareness or concern about issues related to air quality
Plant street trees on Franklin Avenue for shade, stormwater management, beautification, and air pollution sequestration Construct an air quality monitoring station to measure air pollution and educate residents about air quality
Aliquippa has already... Committed to the AirWise Air Quality Monitoring Coalition Secured property and funding to move the Franklin Avenue Park toward planning and development Organized multiple Earth Day Community Clean Up projects
Community Overviews | 13
Transit Routes Ports Trails Major Roads
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ALIQUIPPA
MOBILITY
Aliquippa is a safe community where all people have reliable and effective mobility options. ASSETS Communicycle, a community organization that uses bikes to connect individuals and other community organizations to each other The Ohio River Trail, which is in progress but when complete will connect existing trails in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia Accessible road network for vehicles, including easy access to PA Route 51 and I-376
CHALLENGES Lack of physical pedestrian connection between residential areas and Franklin Avenue, as well as the riverfront industrial area and Franklin Avenue
PRIORITIES Construct a riverfront trail connecting Aliquippa to Monaca and Ambridge Create a mobility corridor connecting the riverfront trail to Franklin Avenue Complete Franklin Avenue streetscape improvements Establish or enhance pedestrian connections linking important community assets along Franklin Avenue with residential areas
Bikes collected and restored by CommuniCycle, a nonprofit that originated on Franklin Avenue in Aliquippa
Aliquippa has already... Implemented streetscape improvements along Franklin Avenue Received and has initiated plans to install bike rack donations Implemented a Bike Mobility Safety Program
Lack of street lighting to improve safety, well-defined crosswalks, and amenities (such as gathering spaces and parklets) along Franklin Avenue to provide a vibrant and inviting appearance to pedestrians and businesses Widely varied topography making it challenging to connect different neighborhoods
Community Overviews | 15
MILLVALE ECODISTRICT Franklin Avenue Park existing conditions
ALIQUIPPA CATALYTIC PROJECT
Franklin Avenue Park
RiverWise and Aliquippa stakeholders have selected a vacant lot along Franklin Avenue to act as a catalytic ecodistrict project that will be transformed into the Franklin Avenue Park. For over a decade, plans have been underway for a park on Franklin Avenue in Aliquippa, with the project being led by the adjacent Uncommon Grounds Cafe. In order to make this vision a reality, nearly $200,000 has been raised for this exciting project, both in monetary and in-kind contributions. Over the years, several adjoining parcels of land have been acquired. Site surveys have been completed and preliminary conceptual drawings of a community park have been created. During the summer of 2019, the land was leveled and seeded, and the stage is now set to move full speed ahead with the next step in the planning process. The area surrounding the future Franklin Avenue Park is already being used as a site of community gathering. For several years now, the Franklin Avenue Development Committee has been planning and running food truck events in front of the land where the park will soon be constructed. Funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities have recently been acquired to establish the park as a venue for public concerts and cultural events. And, even more events are planned with this space at the center throughout 2020. Adjacent to the Franklin Avenue Park sits an abandoned building, a wellused courtyard and Uncommon Grounds CafĂŠ, an anchor community and economic development business along the Franklin Avenue corridor. Designers of the site have been asked to consider these four locations (the cafĂŠ, the courtyard, the abandoned building, and the park property) as a unified whole. When combined into one project, these four adjoining
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Franklin Avenue Park proposed conceptual plan, image: SmithGroup
spaces offer endless opportunities for creative intervention. The community is working further to refine how such creativity might be directed, but the site will undoubtedly combine public space, some kind of food market space, and a community park. Together, these spaces can become a 21st century exemplar of commerce and community working in unison, providing beauty and utility in downtown Aliquippa for many generations to come. In May 2020, Uncommon Grounds Cafe was funded by the Aliquippa Economic Development Corporation to engage SmithGroup to produce a conceptual design for the Park. The park design incorporates elements to represent each of the six quality of life issue areas, including: •
Equity: location in the heart of historic Aliquippa, inviting open access to all residents and visitors
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Food: picnic and grilling area with a community market planned for the site adjacent to the park
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Water: rain garden and flood mitigation features built into the park design
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Energy: solar-powered stage and lighting throughout the park
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Air: air quality monitors
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Mobility: located along a major arterial road and close proximity to the Ohio River Trail
Next, SmithGroup will solicit community feedback on the proposed design and stakeholders will work to acquire funding to construct the Park. Community Overviews | 17
Sources Key findings from existing documents produced by Aliquippa, Beaver Falls, Monaca, Beaver County, and RiverWise were integrated into this report. This includes: Aliquippa
City of Aliquippa Blight Task Force. (2020). Comprehensive Blight Strategy Plan. City of Aliquippa Economic Development Corporation. (2017). PA DCED Neighborhood Partnership Program (NPP) Application. Clio Consulting. (2016). An Architectural Inventory of Aliquippa, PA. Delta Development Group. (2014). City of Aliquippa Sixth Amended Act 47 Recovery Plan. Franklin Avenue Development Committee Overview. Kairos Design Group. (2011). Redevelopment Plan for the City of Aliquippa. MCMP Associates. (2015). Aliquippa Park Plan. Mulvaney, C. (2019). Analyzing Grassroots Community Development Through Transition Management: Transition in Aliquippa, PA. Pittsburgh, PA: Chatham University. New Sun Rising. Aliquippa Ecodistrict Vibrant Communities Roadmap and Discovery Session Report. Penn State Extension Beaver County. (2019). The Deliverance of Fresh Food: Penn State Extension, Aliquippa, and a Model for Building a Local Market and Rebuilding a Community. RiverWise. (2018). 2018 Year End Report. RiverWise. Aliquippa Earth Day, Food Truck, & Community Christmas Infographics. RiverWise. Aliquippa Ecodistrict Overview. U.S. E.P.A. & City of Aliquippa Economic Development Corporation. (2019). Community Action Plan for Aliquippa, PA: Local Foods, Local Places Technical Assistance.
Beaver Falls
Beaver Falls Community Development Corporation. (2019). Neighborhood Assistance Application: Beaver Falls Restoration. City of Beaver Falls Planning Commission. (2013). City of Beaver Falls Comprehensive Plan. CZB. Memos. 2020. Downtown Redevelopment Services. Beaver Falls Downtown Plan. 2018. Environmental Planning & Design. (2016). Beaver Falls News Tribune Building. Neighborhood North: Museum of Play. (2020). NNMP Business Plan. The Portobello Cultural Life & Arts Center Overview and Fast Facts. 2020. Wyhe, W. V. (2011). Place Identity in Beaver Falls. Eastern University.
Monaca
Designstream Architectural Studio. Monaca Municipal Complex Plans. History of Monaca. (2020). Retrieved from Borough of Monaca: MonacaPA.net Monaca Community Development Corporation. MCDC Flyer. River Town Program. (2019). Monaca River Town Walking Assessment. SmithGroup. (2020). Monaca Energy Project (Presentations and Meeting Notes).
Beaver County & Greater Area
Adventure Cycling Association. (2016). The Underground Railroad Bicycle Route. Beaver County Act 167 Stormwater Management Plan Phase I Resolution. Beaver County Chamber of Commerce. (2019). Maximizing Beaver Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Riverfront Potential. Beaver County Planning Commission. (2018). Beaver County 2018 Planning Commission Annual Report. Heritage Valley Health System. (2019). 2019 Community Health Needs Assessment. Lafe Smith Associates and CORA, Inc. (2001). An Action Plan for the Thunder of Protest Journey. Mackin Engineering Company. (2015). The Ohio River Greenway Trail: North Shore Connector. Ohio River Trail Council. (2018). ORTC Beaver County Council of Governments Presentation. Pashek Associates. (2003). Beaver County Comprehensive Recreation and Parks Plan. Pashek Associates. (2007). Beaver County Greenways and Trails Plan. Pashek Associates. (2010). Beaver County Comprehensive Plan. Pashek Associates. (2018). Comprehensive Recreation, Park, and Open Space Plan. Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program. (2014). Beaver County Natural Heritage Inventory. Re-Imagine Beaver County. (2019). Re-Imagine Beaver County Summary Report. Stromberg Garrigan & Associates. (2012). Ohio River North Shore Trail Feasibility Study. Stromberg Garrigan & Associates. (2011). Ohio River South Shore Trail Feasibility Study. Stromberg Garrigan & Associates. (2012). Ohio River Area-Wide Brownfields Planning Project.
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RiverWise
RiverWise & Emily Marko. (2019). RiverWise Infographic. RiverWise. (2018). RiverWise Year End Report. RiverWise. (2019). Brief Background on Shell’s Decision to Come to Beaver County. RiverWise. (2019). Community Conversation Presentations. RiverWise. (2019). Hillman Grant 2019 - Narrative Responses & Letters of Support. RiverWise. (2019). Mini-Grant Information Packet. RiverWise. (2019). RiverWise Marketing Strategy. RiverWise. (2019). The Future of Petrochemicals in Western PA - A Community Perspective. RiverWise. (2020). A Quick and Dirty Intro to the Dynamics at Play in Beaver County. RiverWise. (2020). Current Projects. RiverWise. (2020). Ecodistrict Strategic Planning. RiverWise. (2020). FutureWise Global Design Challenge Intro Letter & Sponsorship Packet. RiverWise. (2020). Leveraged Funds Database. RiverWise. (2020). News Coverage Database. RiverWise and New Sun Rising. (2019). Ecodistrict Assets. RiverWise and New Sun Rising. Aliquippa, Beaver Falls, and Monaca Quality of Life Challenges, Assets, and Preliminary Vision Statements. SmithGroup and RiverWise. (2019). EcoDistricts Incubator Summary.
City of Pittsburgh & Greater Area
Allegheny Conference on Community Development. (2017-18). Inflection Point: Supply, Demand, and the Future of Work in the Pittsburgh Region. City of Pittsburgh. (2018). City of Pittsburgh Climate Action Plan. City of Pittsburgh. (2017). One PGH: Pittsburgh’s Resilience Strategy. City of Pittsburgh’s Gender Equity Commission. (2019). Pittsburgh’s Inequality Across Gender and Race.
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