Pittsburgh Zoo may build an aquarium on the North Shore
Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium announced on March 17 the start of a feasibility study that may lead to the construction of a standalone aquarium on the North Shore.
According to a press release from the zoo, the project is currently in “the conceptual and exploratory phase,” and is undergoing an “economic impact study” to explore if the construction is possible, possible funding sources and long-term community impact. The name for the potential aquarium is the Pennsylvania Aquarium.
“Pennsylvania is the most populous state without a stand-alone aquarium,” Pittsburgh Zoo President and CEO Dr. Jeremy Goodman is quoted as saying in the press release. “The Pennsylvania Aquarium would expand the Zoo’s physical and conservation footprint connecting the city and state to aquatic animals from around the planet as well as those that are native to the Commonwealth, celebrating our life-sustaining relationship with water and aquatic life in ways we can present only in Pittsburgh.”
According to the release, the aquarium would not duplicate existing displays at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium.
There is no construction timeline for the project as of yet, nor has a final location been determined. Pittsburgh Zoo intends to release more updates as the project continues.
Spring Hill Civic League announces meeting schedule for 2026
The Spring Hill Civic League has announced their schedule of meetings for 2026.
All meetings are held at Spring Hill Elementary School, located at 1351 Damas St., at 6:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted.
The schedule is as follows:
- April 6
- May 4
- Aug. 3
- Sept. 14
- Oct. 5
- Nov. 2
All meetings are held in a hybrid online and in-person format. Those wishing to join digitally can do so at meet.google.com/ghu-yibp-kr
2nd Mary Ann Graf Spirit Award presented at Chamber Luncheon
Kyle Fahsel of Reading is Fundamental Pittsburgh was the recipient of the second Mary Ann Graf Spirit Award, which is given out by the Northside | North Shore Chamber of Commerce.
The award was given out at the Chamber’s annual luncheon, which was held on March 5 at Kamin Science Center this year. Fahsel is the nonprofit’s director of mentoring at Reading is Fundamental Pittsburgh.
“I am just overwhelmed, as somebody not originally from Pittsburgh, by the support of this community for our young people,” Fahsel said while accepting the honor.
In addition to the recognition, the award came with a $1,000 check. The Mary Ann Graf Spirit Award is named in honor of Mary Ann Graf, co-founder of The Priory Hotel. Last year’s winner was Nikki Heckman, owner of Bistro To Go.
The other nominees for this year’s award were Ed and Tammy Glover of Urban Impact, Shelly Kammerdiener of S&T Bank, Dr. Imran Qadeer of Allegheny General Hospital, Kristen Tsapis of Pennsylvania Women Work, Allegheny City Brewing and The Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence.
Reading is Fundamental Pittsburgh is an independent branch of the national literacy nonprofit Reading is Fundamental Inc. According to their website, Reading is Fundamental Pittsburgh provided more than 84,000 books to more than 13,600 children last school year across Pittsburgh and Wilkinsburg.
