Community Service

In conjunction with Pittsburgh Cares, AASHE 2011 Conference attendees can participate in a wonderful service project. This opportunity is a great way to not only network with your colleagues from across the country but to demonstrate the direct ties between higher education, the community and issues of sustainability. It is essential to reinforce that we not only work within our own communities but also the community at large. This community service program will have individuals from across the United States work together to improve part of Pittsburgh.

Schedule of activities

Sunday, October 9

10:00am Kick Off Orientation at David L. Lawrence Convention Center
11:00am - 3:00pm Community Service Project at Off-site location
3:00pm Post Service Celebration

Community Service Project is limited to 100 volunteers.

We also encourage those that cannot participate to consider making a donation of $20.11 in honor of this project

AASHE 2011 Community Service Project

Mainstreet Vacant Storefront Beautification

Lawrenceville United's Mainstreet Vacant Storefront Beautification Project uses artist prints, paintings and renderings to improve the look of vacant storefronts. These banners are generally 3'x4' – 4'x4' hanging art that will hang in storefront windows, be affixed to boarded up entrances, windows, facades, etc in an effort to improve abandoned/unoccupied properties until development. In addition to hanging the art banners, volunteers will assist in mainstreet softscape improvement projects such as planting of bulbs/flowers, mulching existing trees/garden beds, graffiti removal, trash cleanup, etc. Volunteers will also have a chance to interact with shop owners, artists, gallery owners, etc along Lawrenceville's quaint, local destination and learn about the Community Block Development Façade restoration project that catalyzed to the revival of the Lawrenceville community.

Lawrenceville Corporation: The mission of the Lawrenceville Corporation is to act as a catalyst and conduit for reinvestment in the Lawrenceville community. The LC is guided in its work by five main principles.

• Preserve Authenticity: preserve community diversity and working class heritage; and build on existing architectural assets
• Strategically Target Development Efforts: geographically concentrate development to maximize impact in targeted areas that have been identified as priorities by strategic or community planning processes
• Market Our Assets: understand the neighborhood’s assets and its potential role in the city or regional marketplace; target regional and local customers that will advance our neighborhood’s revitalization; and develop lines of business that promote the neighborhood’s assets
• Support High Quality Design: insist on top-notch design standards for all development and projects in the community
• Engage in Visionary and Participatory Planning: work with local stakeholders to creatively envision the future potential of the neighborhood while keeping an eye on national and regional trends and local opportunities

Community Service Location Description

Lawrenceville is located near downtown along the Allegheny River, and like many Pittsburgh neighborhoods,
has an industrial past. Many steel mills were based here and even the Allegheny Arsenal was located here for supplying
the Union Army during the Civil War, due to its proximity to the rivers and the vast amounts of Steel and Iron resources
in the Pittsburgh Region. With the collapse of the Steel Industry, Lawrenceville, like many other areas in the Western PA
region, suffered a great decline, both in population as well as property value and upkeep. For a number of decades, the
neighborhood sat in disrepair and decay until a number of community groups and organizations, like Lawrenceville United
and Lawrenceville Corp, took to the task of uncovering the beauty and bringing creative, sustainable ideas to revitalize
the area.

Lawrenceville is currently experiencing an incredible revival, and its growth is due in no small part to the work of
the community organizations that have worked diligently to re-establish this neighborhood as a destination and livable
place. Nowhere in this region can a neighborhood claim so many historical assets, involved and engaged residents,
economic development projects and opportunities, sustainability and green initiatives, and bona fide examples of
substantive business community growth. Lawrenceville is one of the largest neighborhoods in the City, yet has
experienced a remarkable reduction in crime over the past few years: a 56% drop between 2002 and 2010. Investors
and developers are approaching Lawrenceville with proposed projects and plans, and houses are selling and renting faster
than in previous years, despite the challenging economic times.

Despite the organizational and community success, there is still much to be done in Lawrenceville. Dilapidated
and vacant buildings, large tracts of vacant underutilized land, struggling main street businesses, potential plans waiting for implementation, a myriad of quality of life issues and standard of life issues are constant reminders that organizations such as Lawrenceville United are crucial to the continued success and revitalization of the community.