If I Knew Then: Andrew Butcher

Andrew Butcher of GTECH Strategies breaks down some of the stumbling blocks encountered while founding and ramping up GTECH.

‘Ambassadors’ reclaiming vacant property in the Hilltop

This year, Growth Through Energy and Community Health (GTECH) Strategies has launched ReClaim South: Sustaining Momentum, a continuation of its 2014 program aimed at giving South Pittsburgh residents, also known as neighborhood ambassadors, the ability and support to lead individual green space development projects. GTECH's ambassador-driven development model has led to more than 80 volunteers and 328 hours of community service invested in South Pittsburgh neighborhoods including Beltzhoover, Allentown, Mount Oliver, Knoxville, and St. Clair.

Blight Working Group Brings Residents Resources to Revitalize Empty Lots

The Pittsburgh Blight Working Group is a collaboration between the Urban Redevelopment Authority, the city, Neighborhood Allies, Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group, the Design Center and GTECH Strategies. The group is hosting a boot camp on Friday and Saturday to empower residents with resources to identify and revitalize blight in their neighborhoods.

Sharpsburg Land Could Transform into Playground

GTECH Strategies is searching for blighted or vacant property in Sharpsburg to transform into an environmental educational playground designed for and by kids, in a project dubbed Green Playces. Ian Brown, a project manager for policy and evaluation at GTECH, of Larimer, presented the idea at Sharpsburg Council's regular meeting on Oct. 4.