The Hill District Beautification Project is located in the 2200 block of Centre Avenue between Kirkpatrick and Soho Streets. This vacant “post demolition” 17,000 square foot site consists of 12 individual lots formerly used for residential and commercial purposes.

Local community groups including The Hill House, Find the River and the Hill District Consensus Group have embraced this endeavor and are taking an active role in the design and planning phases of the project. Preliminary plans include carrying on the theme of the sculpture at Freedom Corner (Centre & Crawford) which will be created using ornamental plants. Keeping in mind that this location holds strong potential for commercial development, planting materials which are readily transplantable will be utilized.

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl officially dedicated the site at a memorial ceremony on October 22, 2007. During his presentation the Mayor addressed the focus of this project stating, “Green Up Pittsburgh partners with community groups and non-profits to beautify city-owned vacant lots, fostering community pride, increasing property values, and transforming these liabilities into neighborhood assets”.

Additional site preparation, training and planting are scheduled for the Spring of 2008.

The Hill District Beautification Project is the result of the efforts of
the following individuals and organizations:

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl – Green Up Pittsburgh Program
City of Pittsburgh – Office of Neighborhood Initiatives
City of Pittsburgh – Redd Up Campaign
Hill House Association – Evan Frazier
Find the River – Terri Baltimore
Hill District Consensus Group – Carl Redwood
Penn State Extension – Allegheny County