{"id":3133,"date":"2022-10-07T12:01:26","date_gmt":"2022-10-07T16:01:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/riverlifepgh.org\/?p=3133"},"modified":"2022-10-07T12:01:26","modified_gmt":"2022-10-07T16:01:26","slug":"public-and-private-partnerships-help-restore-allegheny-landing-dock-and-future-riverfront-projects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lucid-heisenberg.31-170-165-113.plesk.page\/index.php\/2022\/10\/07\/public-and-private-partnerships-help-restore-allegheny-landing-dock-and-future-riverfront-projects\/","title":{"rendered":"Public and private partnerships help restore Allegheny Landing dock and future riverfront projects"},"content":{"rendered":"
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L to R: Jay Costa, Diane Bucco, Matt Galluzzo, Brent Semachko, Jn Liptak, Bobby Wilson, Alice Snyder. Photo by Pure Zheng<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The effort to restore the dock at Pittsburgh\u2019s iconic Allegheny Landing is officially underway.<\/p>\n

Elected officials, corporate partners, and members of Pittsburgh\u2019s philanthropic community gathered Thursday morning at the historic park to celebrate an example of public and private partnership and investment in the city\u2019s riverfronts.<\/p>\n

Allegheny Landing Park, dedicated in 1984, is one of the first urban riverfront sculpture parks in the nation and has been a prominent fixture in the sightline of Pittsburgh\u2019s riverfront. Its public dock was destroyed by an ice floe in 2018. Commercial diving and marine construction company Marion Hill Associates, along with a host of specialty engineers and contractors, have been contracted to rebuild it with resiliency at the forefront.<\/p>\n

This restoration effort will\u00a0improve Allegheny Landing\u2019s public waterfront<\/strong>\u00a0with a usable dock for the recreational and transient boating community, kayakers and paddle boarders, fishing folks, and \u00a0visitors looking to snap a selfie with the best backdrop in the country. Secure and elegant fencing along the park\u2019s waterfront will be installed, as will advanced landscape management adjacent to the proposed installations.<\/p>\n

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The Clemente Bridge and barge reflected in the Allegheny river. Photo by Pure Zheng<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Riverlife\u2019s master plan for the upper plaza of Allegheny Landing park is in the works. The restoration of the dock is one part of a seismic project that will\u00a0create an immersive destination<\/strong>\u00a0between\u00a0Allegheny Landing Park\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Allegheny Riverfront Park<\/strong>\u00a0on Fort Duquesne Boulevard, connected by the iconic\u00a0Sister Bridges<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe envision these historic bridges, illuminated by a permanent light installation, and the water between them as the glue that will pull together the\u00a0Warhol’s POP District\u00a0<\/strong>and the\u00a0Cultural District<\/strong>,\u201d said Riverlife CEO Matt Galluzzo, \u201cWe want to create a seamless and unforgettable experience that you cannot find anywhere else.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the key tools used to raise resources for the dock is the\u00a0Waterfront Development Tax Credit<\/strong>, a program that Riverlife helped to create in 2016. Spearheaded earlier this year by\u00a0Senator Jay Costa<\/strong>,\u00a0Senator Devlin Robinson<\/strong>,\u00a0Representative Natalie Mihalek<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Representative Dan Miller<\/strong>, Riverlife worked with bipartisan leadership to expand the program so that it can benefit all Pennsylvanians. \u00a0The Allegheny Landing dock is the first time that tool has been used in Western Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n

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Senator Jay Costa. Photo by Pure Zheng<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

During his remarks, Senator Jay Costa<\/strong> said, \u201cThe work that’s being done at the state, county, and city level, along with the philanthropic community \u2013 all of these partners participating is really something magnificent. I was pleased to be a part of the conversation from the start, and this is exactly what we envisioned – enhancements and repairs across Pennsylvania.\u201d \u00a0He thanked those who have \u201cdone the work and saw the vision.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a shining example of public and private resources in action,\u201d said Galluzzo. \u201cThe Waterfront Development Tax Credit allows contributing corporate partners to build strong civic relationships and to make visible investments in the city of Pittsburgh.\u201d Riverlife is currently seeking investors for the next round of the tax credit program.<\/p>\n

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Brent Semachko. Photo by Pure Zheng<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Brent Semachko<\/strong>, Director of Corporate Responsibility for First National Bank, echoed Galluzzo\u2019s comments. \u201cFirst National Bank is thrilled to invest in the restoration of Allegheny Landing Park and dock. This is a wonderful way to keep dollars local, where they truly benefit the Pittsburgh region,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Semachko also announced that the company will participate in the program again in the next fiscal year. \u201cWith the city\u2019s historic reputation for its bridges and rivers, we are extremely proud to continue that legacy as an investor in the Allegheny Landing renovations, actively engaging in improving the spaces for locals and visitors for years to come,\u201d said Semachko. \u201cWe are proud to announce that First National Bank will recommit to this program next year in 2023 for another $100,000.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAllegheny Landing is one of Pittsburgh\u2019s great city parks,\u201d Councilman\u00a0Bobby Wilson<\/strong>\u00a0said during his remarks. \u201cWe are excited to see its revitalization taking shape, starting with the restoration of the public dock.\u201d<\/p>\n

Riverlife would like to thank corporate partners\u00a0First National Bank, Duquesne Light Company, Lampe Financial LLC, PJ Dick, and UPMC Health Plan<\/strong>. With their support, Riverlife is able to ensure that the design and usability of Allegheny Landing and the wider project at hand will remain world-class.<\/p>\n

Allegheny Landing Park restoration and improvements are also made possible with support from\u00a0Allegheny Foundation, The Buhl Foundation, The Pittsburgh Foundation, The Jack Buncher Foundation, EQT Foundation, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy<\/strong>, and the\u00a0City of Pittsburgh<\/strong>, whose partnership and support\u2014both in kind, technical, and financial \u2013 has been invaluable to Riverlife\u2019s work.<\/p>\n