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Allegheny Together
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Allegheny Together endeavors to encourage well-planned, well-designed and geographically-focused investment in the established, urban commercial districts of Allegheny County while respecting the unique history, character, and built environment of each. The program aims to help organize and empower each community to fulfill its collective vision.
Allegheny Together is a
program of:
ALLEGHENY COUNTY
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
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Please Forward this E-Newsletter!
Spread the word about the great things happening in YOUR downtown by clicking on "Forward Email" located at the bottom of this column. Thank you!
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APPLELICIOUS
Our Downtown Recognition Recipient
The Carnegie Business District Advisory Committee is pleased to recognize Applelicious as its featured downtown recognition recipient this quarter.
Applelicious features chocolate gourmet apples for weddings and corporate events. The hand-dipped chocolate gourmet apples are made from Washington State Granny Smith apples. As their website boasts, "they are made from 5 layers of heaven" including: one layer of creamy vanilla caramel, 2 layers of milk chocolate, a layer of nuts or other delectable topping, and the last layer is a drizzle of white chocolate or peanut butter chocolate." These delicious treats are available for fundraising as well. This provides a unique alternative to the many traditional fundraising products sold throughout the year.
Aside from the wonderful, sweet treats offered at Applelicious, you are always greeted with a very warm welcome and often a sample from owner, Paul Godleski. This shop is a great place to visit for a special gift for clients or a family member, favors for your next event or just to fulfill your sweet tooth! Look for the colorful "Open" flag and you'll know you can count on a one of a kind specialty sweet.
Applelicious gourmet apples can be purchased by phone or online at: 412-279-5272 or www.apples4you.com . |
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CARNEGIE CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Pirates of Penzance
When: March 2-4 & 8-11
Where: Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall
For more information: 412-734-8476 or
www.pittsburghsavoyards.org
Music Hall Little Mermaid: The Ballet
When: March 23-25
Where: Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall
For more information: 412-279-8887 or
cpac.homestead.com
Friday Fish Fry at the Ukrainian Club
When: Dates vary through Lent
Where: Ukraninian Club, run by Ancient Order of Hiberians
For more information: 412-276-9681
Beauty and the Beast
When: April 13-15
Where: Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall
For more Information: 412-279-8887 or
Duquesne University's Opera Workshop
When: April 20-22
Where: Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall
For more information: www.duq.edu
Chief Harbin-Guest Waiter
When: April 21
Where: Bob's Diner
Benefits: To raise funds for the Carnegie Fire Department and to promote the 5k run.
Jazz Music
When: 3rd Sundays at 3 PM
Where: 3rd Street Art Gallery
Sponsored By: Phil Salvato
Annual Civil War Weekend
When: April 27-29
Where: Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall
For more information:
www.carnegiecarnegie.org
St. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Psanky Egg Sale
When: Dates Vary
Where: St. Peter and Paul
For more information: 412-276-9718
5th Annual Carnegie Volunteer Fire Department 5k Run/walk
When: April 28
Where: Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall
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EXCITING PLANS FOR 2012
The Carnegie Business District Advisory Committee (BDAC) kicked off 2012 in their January meeting by enthusiastically setting viable, realistic goals to assist and enhance the Carnegie business district. Beginning with the strong organization which was put into place through the Allegheny Together program in the latter part of 2011, plans were laid for exciting work ahead in the New Year.
The committee's Architecture and Design initiative is excited that Carnegie businesses are now eligible for the Allegheny Restores program, a facade improvement program available for business and property owners through the Allegheny Together program. We hope that business and property owners will take advantage of this opportunity to receive financial support for making improvements to their storefront facade or signage. For more information about the Allegheny Restores program, please see the "Allegheny Restores" article in this e-newsletter. Attention will also be given to activities that can improve and enhance downtown signage. On an even larger scale, the committee plans to begin taking steps that will eventually lead to comprehensive wayfinding signage for the business district and community.
This year the focus for the Business Development Initiative of the BDAC will be to visit as many businesses as possible; to contact owners of all available properties; and to target prospective businesses. The committee is especially eager to meet with related business development groups in the community as well.
The committee has scheduled a very comprehensive Community Life schedule for 2012! The committee is excited to be considering and exploring ideas such as a Sunday Jazz Series, a Cinco de Mayo celebration, a Fitness Walk Program, Haunted Building Tours, Community Cleanup Days, and a Wine and Cheesecake Walk for 2012.
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CHECK OUT UPCOMING PERFORMANCES AT STAGE 62 http://www.stage62.com
Stage 62 is a non-profit theater company in residence at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall in Carnegie, PA. This company began in Bethel Park in 1962 as an adult education theater project and turned into a thriving theater company that has produced shows continuously ever since. Their season typically includes a musical in November; a show for children's audiences in February; a drama/comedy in May; and a musical in July, with occasional cabarets and special events.
Stage 62's mission is "to unite the community in the joy of producing quality theater for all ages. We strive to enhance the cultural life in our area by offering affordable live theatre that features artists from our own community, and by providing an enriching experience for young and old to learn all aspects of theater arts and production through volunteer participation." |
ALLEGHENY RESTORES FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE: APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE
The 2012 "Allegheny Restores Façade Improvement Program Guideline and Application" is now available on the Allegheny Together website by clicking here.
The Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County (RAAC) is offering assistance to business owners and building owners who wish to make physical improvements to their building's exterior through the Allegheny Restores Façade Improvement Program. We hope that businesses will take advantage of this special opportunity made possible through your participation in the Allegheny Together program. Please feel free to spread the word to those who might be interested in your business district.
Please note that the deadline for applications is March 12th at 4:00 pm.
For questions or clarification regarding the program or application please contact: Joe Scullion at Allegheny County Economic Development at (412) 350-1060.  |
STUDY PROVES FINANCIAL BENEFITS TO BUSINESSES FROM THINKING DOWNTOWN FIRST! "When you know better, you do better."
-Maya Angelou
As consumers become more aware of the economic, social and environmental benefits of thinking Downtown and Local First, our local business community will benefit too!
According to a newly released study of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance: Independent businesses in communities with an active "buy independent/buy local" campaign run by groups like Downtown First saw revenues grow 7.2% in 2011, compared to 2.6% for those in areas without an alliance.
Additionally, "independent retailers enjoyed stronger holiday sales than the retail sector as a whole. While overall holiday sales were up 4.1% in 2011, respondents (all independents) reported an average sales increase of 6.7%."
Find local, independent businesses in your community and our region through Downtown First's business directories!
Read more about the Institute for Local Self-Reliance's study here.
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CARNEGIE IS BUILDING A MORE
SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS DISTRICT
With the Assistance of
Carnegie Mellon University Masters Students
Through a partnership between Sustainable Pittsburgh and Town Center Associates (TCA), local business districts will benefit from the insight and expertise of Carnegie Mellon University Masters students taking the "Sustainable Community" course, taught by professor, Dr. Matthew Mehalik.
Carnegie is delighted to have been selected to study a key project in our business district for which we are seeking fresh perspective and ideas. The students will work over the course of the next semester in each of the participating communities--visiting the communities, interviewing community members and conducting hours of research and analysis on these critical business district projects.
The students ordinarily present their findings at a final symposium held at Carnegie Mellon University and their final reports are then made available online.
The findings from various previous towns' Sustainable Communities projects may be relevant to many of the issues your downtown may be facing, or projects you may want to pursue in the future. Previous topics in the reports include: Creating a Sustainable Downtown Park; Improving the Access Route from the Business District to an Important Community Park; Developing Business District Wayfinding Systems; and Enhancing a Downtown Theater/Anchor Business. To access these reports, please visit https://public.me.com/mmehalik1 and use the guest password cmusc2011 to view the files.
Town Center is grateful for the opportunity to work with the CMU students and Sustainable Pittsburgh and we look forward to incorporating their suggestions into helping your community build a more sustainable business district. |
SIGNS OF SPRING
As winter fades and we welcome warmer weather, you might notice some of the businesses in your town undertaking façade renovations. With design assistance from PHLF, business and building owners throughout the Allegheny Together communities are sprucing up their buildings with new awnings, signs, windows, and more.
In addition to façade improvements, there are two other types of design assistance available from PHLF. First, we can work with a business or property owner to provide a rendering of what your building would look like after implementing façade improvements.
Second, we can provide an interior designer to give you ideas for storefront window displays, interior layout, and more. The best part about these two services is that they are free to business and property owners.
We're looking forward to more building improvements as the winter weather subsides and allows for work to continue. If you are interested in taking advantage of these services, please contact David Farkas at 412-471-5808 or david@phlf.org. |
DEMOGRAPHIC REPORTS FOR BUSINESS RECRUITMENT!
A featured tool on Downtown Properties.net is the custom Demographic Reports created for your downtown. The reports include information that is critical to business owners considering your downtown for their future business, and that help them to better understand the dynamics of your community business district. Household income, population, average age and employment status information and much more can be found on the Downtown Properties.net website for your downtown.
If you are a prospective business owner considering locating in one of these communities, you may want to check out the reports for assistance in creating your business plan.
If you are trying to recruit businesses to your community, the Demographic Reports are another tool you can show online or print and bring with you to meetings with prospective business owners. |
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STAY UP TO DATE ON DOWNTOWN CARNEGIE
With Our Quarterly E-Newsletter
You are reading the Carnegie FOCUS: your quarterly downtown e-newsletter. By using e-newsletters instead of print newsletters, we can send the information about our downtown revitalization efforts to a greater number of people and save paper--a win for the community and the environment!
To receive your copy of the e-newsletter via email, simply send an email to tca@towncenter.info and indicate your email address, as well as the name of the town or towns for which you'd like to receive the e-newsletters. You can also call Town Center Associates to sign up at 412-577-7447.
Please also take a moment to forward this email along to your friends, colleagues, family and neighbors, and encourage them to sign up today! This will help to inform (and involve) more citizens about the revitalization efforts taking place in our downtown.
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This e-newsletter was created by Town Center Associates for the Allegheny Together Program of Allegheny County Economic Development. For more information about the Allegheny Together program, please visit www.alleghenytogether.com.
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