By Councilman Wilson

Hello everyone, While we begin to enjoy warmer weather and the sounds of spring, that also tends to bring along a different, perhaps more irritating sound: one of construction. At the end of March, construction season in the Northside officially began with the start of the long awaited North Avenue Signals & Safety project. I am excited to see the upgrades to the traffic signals and pedestrian crosswalks along North Avenue from Arch Street to Middle Street. While this will be a temporary headache, with detours and delays, the end result will be worth it. To follow along, check out the project’s Engage page here: engage.pittsburghpa.gov/north-avenue-signals-and-safety-project.

I’m happy to share that the Riverview Park playground is also receiving a well-deserved upgrade. I allocated $750,000 in the 2024 Capital Budget for design improvements to the playground. Details on the project and upcoming meeting dates can be found here: engage.pittsburghpa.gov/riverview-pg.

I’m excited to share that two streets, Benton Avenue and Baytree Street, are set to receive traffic calming measures. Benton Avenue, between Brighton Road and California Avenue, will receive a series of speed tables as well as pedestrian crossing improvements at McClure Avenue and Benton Avenue. Baytree Street will receive a series of speed humps throughout the corridor. I will continue to work with our partners in the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI) to advocate for more projects like this in the Northside. Full details can be found on the Engage Page: engage.pittsburghpa.gov/neighborhood-traffic-calming.

City Cuts, the City of Pittsburgh’s lawn cutting program, is back for another season. This program is targeted to our older neighbors, our veteran neighbors, and our neighbors with disabilities who do not have the means to cut their own grass. In 2025, this service will be provided twice a month weather permitting from summer through early-tomid- fall.

Applicants must reside in the City of Pittsburgh limits, own the property or be responsible for the grass cutting of the property, lack social or financial means to cut their own lawns, and meet one or more of the following qualifications: be 62 years or older, be a veteran, have a disability that prohibits you from cutting grass, and/or have an income 150% below Federal Poverty Guideline. Service is limited and applications will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. Interested residents can apply by calling 311 or via online at pittsburghpa.gov/Resident-Services/Community-Programming/City-Cuts.

Now is the perfect time to think about becoming a lifeguard for the upcoming summer pool season! Lifeguards are hired to work at Citiparks Aquatic Facility locations June through Labor Day and applicants are offered Lifeguard Certification Training courses prior to the season as well as recertification for experienced lifeguards. Candidates must have a Red Cross Lifeguard Certification valid through Sept. 1, and additionally are required to submit criminal background clearances and pass a medical exam. To be eligible for employment, applicants must be City of Pittsburgh residents, must be at least 15 years old, and be willing to work at any of Citiparks Aquatics Facilities. For additional information, and to fill out an interest form, visit: pittsburghpa.gov/Recreation-Events/Pools/Citiparks-Lifeguard.

Lastly, my office has officially launched a newsletter! Sign up here pittsburghpa.gov/City-Government/City-Council/Districts/Bobby-Wilson-District-1/Follow-Us to receive information about District 1 projects, legislation, community updates, and more.

If you have any questions or concerns, call us at (412) 255-2135, email us at district1@pittsburghpa.gov, or find us on Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter). My staff and I look forward to hearing from you!