PITTSBURGH \u2014 Each city neighborhood has its own set of issues and concerns, and the South Side is no different. If you\u2019ve been to East Carson Street recently, you may have noticed empty buildings, graffiti, and litter. <\/p>\n
Pittsburgh City Councilperson Bob Charland wants to change that. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe can make the South Side the vibrant, quirky, exciting place it needs to be,\u201d Pittsburgh city councilperson Bob Charland told Channel 11.<\/p>\n
On Monday, Charland introduced his plan for an \u201cImprovement District\u201d that provides funding and management to focus on maintenance, public safety, marketing and community events on East Carson. <\/p>\n
The organization would have an estimated $500,000 budget, and it\u2019s totally funded by businesses on the South Side. Organizers also plan to apply for grants. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe have an awesome business district that sometimes gets overshadowed by the public safety issues it has. This is not to say those issues are taken care of, but this is really the next step,\u201d Charland said. <\/p>\n
In fact, Charland got input from the South Side entertainment patrol when coming up with the proposal.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat they\u2019ve told me is there\u2019s only so much they can do. At some point, we need to work on the business problem of East Carson Street. How do we attract the right businesses that attract the right customers?\u201d He said. <\/p>\n
John DeMauro is the owner of Urban Tap and is on the South Side Steering Committee. He told Channel 11, this proposal is a \u201cwin\u201d for business owners. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s great about this is. \u201dIt\u2019s money that\u2019s going right back into the business district, and it\u2019s determined by the people that are business owners and building owners who determine what use its for,\u201d DeMauro said. <\/p>\n
The proposal is in the beginning stages, and there is a plan for a public hearing this summer. <\/p>\n
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