PWSA Stormwater Strategic Plan Ambassador Cohort 1

In November, Grounded Strategies and PWSA launched the first cohort of PWSA Stormwater Strategic Plan Ambassadors. This is a community-based effort to equip residents with information needed to engage their peers on the outcomes and initiatives that will fall within the Stormwater Strategic Plan.

Ambassadors were recruited and selected from priority sewersheds as outlined in the PWSA Green First Plan.

The Stormwater Strategic Plan will serve as Pittsburgh’s blueprint to address local stormwater challenges. It will seek to address the specific goals of improving water quality, reducing street flooding and basement backups, and beautifying neighborhoods in an affordable manner. All of which will create a community that is healthier, safer, and more resilient to the impacts of stormwater.

Meet the Ambassadors of Cohort 1!

This cohort features four distinct watersheds: Four Mile Run (Oakland, Greenfield, Squirrel Hill, and Hazelwood), Negley Run (Highland Park, East Liberty, Larimer, Homewood West, Homewood North, Homewood South, Point Breeze North, Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar, East Hills, and Penn Hills), Soho Run (Upper Hill, Middle Hill, Terrace Village, and Uptown), and 21st St (Southside Flats and Southside Slopes).

 

Chris Zurawsky – Four Mile Run Watershed

1) What do you love most about your community?

I like living just a short walk away from Schenley Park and the Squirrel Hill business district, and a bit longer walk to Pitt, CMU, Oakland, and Frick Park. My neighbors are interesting and friendly and there are many opportunities to get involved in community issues. I am also involved in local politics and my ward, the 14th, is considered to be one of the most liberal and active in the state.

2) What do you think your community needs most?

More opportunities for more people to learn about issues affecting the commercial and residential areas of Squirrel Hill. Zooming in, we need traffic calming and pedestrian safety measures in many parts of the neighborhood. And of course, related to stormwater, Squirrel Hillers need to understand why it’s important and what’s possible in the neighborhood in terms of green infrastructure.

3) What are you looking to gain as a PWSA SWMP Ambassador?

I’ve attended many meetings regarding Four Mile Run Watershed, especially regarding PWSA’s plans for managing stormwater in Schenley Park, “The Run” section of Greenfield, and Hazelwood, where the watershed empties into the Monongahela River. I’d like to learn more about 4MR and PWSA’s plans and to have the resources and contacts to share my knowledge with people who live and work in the watershed.

4) How do you like to spend your free time?

I have a wife, two sons, a mom, a dog, and two cats. When I’m not involved with them I’m the communications director for the Association of American Cancer institutes (since 2008) which is technically not “free time”, I guess, manage the Schenley Park Tennis Association, do a lot of biking (I’ve biked to work for 20 years now), play the piano (ask me about Billy Strayhorn) and I’ve been an Allegheny County Democratic Committee member since about 2004.

Dana Fowler – Negley/Heth’s Run Watershed

1) What do you love most about your community?

We have been through some rough times with unthinkable mayhem for a season, but our environment of being neighborly with everyone is still intact with much love and caring for one another. Our community is now slowly Reviving, which means to restore to life or consciousness with a new great strength starting with reviving the use of the 1937 Art Deco Architectural Style Lemington Elementary School with a new vision for Success of Children “When the sound of children are restored to a community it sets the pulse of a new dawning.” Our community is still HERE and the community is not letting go of what was started and they are reviving their dwellings as economics allows us to continue to make upgrades from the outside in or from the inside out.

2) What do you think your community needs most?

Our community is a major contributor to the Watershed when it rains. It leads toward the paved over natural Silver Lake on Washington Blvd. to Highland Drive, including the water runoff down Paulson Avenue onto Washington Blvd and finally from the top of Lemington Avenue down to Highland Drive sloping down to Washington Blvd. Therefore we need Green infrastructure, stormwater management, and Green Street Guide along these corridors, which can slow the rate at which it flows to Washington Blvd. We need to strategically plant trees that truly can absorb the water overflows from the Hills along Washington Blvd as Frederick Olms did for City Parks. We need nature and some gray infrastructure issues to change the way an abundance of water can collect along Washington Blvd. to cause the death of humans during a rainfall.

3) What are you looking to gain as a PWSA SWMP Ambassador?

The ability to express to our communities the importance of green infrastructure, stormwater management, and Green Street Guides so we can reverse some of the water issues that are causing havoc and how to collectively make changes to resolve these issues. The ability to inspire our community to push for these types of changes to a healthier environment throughout our communities. To see our projects come to fruition in the future.

4) How do you like to spend your free time?

Watching funny movies in the park in my community. Listening to the children playing in the playground, pleading with their father for 10 more minutes although they are too young to tell time. Cooking a delicious meal or dessert from scratch and swinging on my glider and enjoying an ice-cold punch passed down from my Mom with friends or family. Finally, just enjoy the goodness of the great atmosphere of nature, things & people around us In life.

 

JoAnne Tippett – Soho Run Watershed

1) What do you love most about your community?

I love the fact that, though many are older, they are hardy. They don’t let life get them down. I love that the community will come to community meetings when serious topics/issues come up if they are informed. I love the trees and Lemington school/Destiny International Church.

2) What do you think your community needs most?

People need assistance repairing and fixing up their homes. We are in need of stormwater management resolution and maintenance of vacant lots or lots with abandoned homes. A community center with programs for the youth and the elders would be great. A system for good fund distribution to the neighborhood, improved safety/security, and a place to gather. 

3) What are you looking to gain as a PWSA SWMP Ambassador?

I hope to gain an understanding of how I can help communities gain their understanding of stormwater issues and how these issues can be resolved. I would like to be a part of building the relationships between communities, PWSA, and partners in resolving these issues.

4) How do you like to spend your free time?

I like to spend my time creating projects and being active in resolving issues in my neighborhood. I read and study different subjects such s the environment and natural resources. I recently got reintroduced to playing disc golf. 

 

Mischelle McMillian – Negley/Heth’s Run Watershed

1) What do you love most about your community?

Living on the bus line, Brainstorming with others, Making a difference, Traveling to other states, meeting and discussing similar strategies, and developing solutions in all Regions.

2) What do you think your community needs most?

Development of an updated way to correct and make new intervention and prevention positive strategies in Allegheny County that will last for the next generations to add on to. Better Resident Communication and Involvement_with Jr High Students leading with new development strategies.

3) What are you looking to gain as a PWSA SWMP Ambassador?

Clean Water Safe Water At a reasonable Cost For All Residents And Businesses, Homes, Stream and Rivers, Sewers.

4) How do you like to spend your free time?

With my family, friends, and community organizers/advocates.

 

Mike Clark – 21st Street Watershed

1) What do you love most about your community?

My neighbors and friends are the best part of my community. The walkability, the stores, and entertainment are very convenient and a huge draw for many. Less known but much more appreciated are the parks and parklets throughout the neighborhood. The riverside trail, the southside park, and the neighborhood pools and playgrounds are of huge importance to the resident of the neighborhood. 

2) What do you think your community needs most?

Other than an Indian restaurant and a butcher, the south side falts and slide would benefit enormously from a main street manager funded through a B.I.D. type program. We have a very vibrant and diverse economy and as such, it is hard to get all parties to agree. A central neighborhood manager that could balance the growth and development with needed updates and changes would be a very welcomed change for many. 

3) What are you looking to gain as a PWSA SWMP Ambassador?

Not sure as of yet, I have a fair amount of stormwater management experience through my day job as an architect and see lots of potential changes that could benefit my neighborhood. I hope to learn more about the PWSA goals and ongoing projects to see how they can help the city and my community. 

4) How do you like to spend your free time?

I have a full-time job as an architect, I’m married, we have a teenage daughter, I run my own business, I own and rent three houses, and I’m an active member of my community organization SSCC (southside community council). I take care of zoning, planning, and building issues, and work on parks and beautification including street trees. 

 

Shaman Pomaj Chakmam Yajalaji – Negley/Heth’s Run Watershed

1) What do you love most about your community?

Generations of lineage and families of homeowners who look out for the children and the elders.

2) What do you think your community needs most?

Bioswales, permaculture permeable sidewalk down the main hills leading to extreme water runoff points

3) What are you looking to gain as a PWSA SWMP Ambassador?

To be the pulse and the voice of the people affected by Stormwater issues and sewerage runoff issues

4) How do you like to spend your free time?

Researching climate issues green infrastructure solutions in line with my ancestral traditions