Clean, Safe, and Green
There is nothing more important than public safety in a community. That could mean comfort crossing a busy street or taking an evening dog walk. Removing blight and vacancy are essential goals. Uptown Partners started Safe Streets Uptown (SSU) in 2013 to collaboratively target specific disruptive activities and violations in code enforcement that impact public safety.
In 2017 the City chose Uptown as one of 19 communities, of the City’s 90 neighborhoods, to receive the intensive services of a Neighborhood Resource Officer with whom we work closely, along with Zones 2 and 4, the Office of Permits, Licenses and Inspection, HUD, Dept. of Public Works, the Mayor’s Office and others.
To eliminate vacant, blighted and tax delinquent buildings, UP works with the City Property Reserve, partnering with responsible developers to rehab the properties for moderately priced rental and for-sale housing.
Greening is one of our favorite activities. With the participation of residents, students, community service organizations and other volunteers, UP has created community gardens and parklets and pocket perennial beds. To increase our tree canopy, UP applies frequently to Tree Vitalize and the City for free street trees with the approval of property owners and their commitment to care for them. The City has been instrumental in providing greening support through Love Your Resilient Block grants, providing opportunities for residents to take on transformational projects in their neighborhoods.
Thanks to the generosity of McAuley Ministries and Councilman Daniel Lavelle, UP purchased over 40 new garbage receptacles, including many for Centre Avenue, replacing ones that were blighted and broken, and adding new locations to improve streetscape appeal.
Clean Programs
Tree Tender Volunteer Program: Tree tenders are volunteers who assist their communities with tree plantings, pruning, general tree maintenance, and advocacy for new trees and the protection of existing trees.
Volunteer Clean-Ups: We always seek volunteers to assist with clean-ups during the year. Historically, clean-ups have included mulching, trimming weeds, and removing trash at Tustin Street Community Garden and Tot Lot, and Gateway Park. We are open to new clean-ups as residents identify specific projects in the neighborhood.
If you are interested in being a volunteer, please contact Community Program Manager, Jamie Piotrowski at either (412) 325-2723 ex. 2 or jpiotrowski@uptownpartners.org
Safe Programs
Safe Streets Uptown (SSU): SSU is a bi-monthly safety meeting that provides residents the opportunity to present and discuss safety concerns with Pittsburgh Police and other safety officials.
Green Programs
Tustin Street Community Garden: This community garden at 2021 Tustin Street includes 10 raised beds and is available to Uptown residents.
MLK Community Garden: Located on the northern border of Uptown at the former MLK ballfield, MLK Garden allows any individual to rent or adopt one of its garden beds for a nominal fee.
Love Your Block: Uptown Partners has successfully partnered with the City of Pittsburgh and residents on several Love Your Block projects, creating needed green space in the community. Most recently, Love Your Block funding was leveraged to enhance a Moultrie St. parklet called Central Park Soho.
Please email jpiotrowski@uptownpartners.org if you have an idea for a Love Your Block project and we will get in touch to discuss it further.
“Clean” Links
Garbage & Recycle Pickup Schedule
311 Non-Emergency Response Center Website
“Safe” Links
Click Here to Receive Weekly Crime Reports for Uptown
Difference Between 911 and 311
Silent Complaint Form