Fineview
Nicholas Gee to Equity Homes LLC at 246 Lafayette Ave. for $105,000.

Historic Deutschtown
Yarnovich Capital LLC to Patricio Ernesto Brito and Christina Eugenia Gonzalez Zorrilla at 910 James St. for $329,900.

Manchester
Robert Harris to Brandon and Ryan Groom at 1513 Manhattan St. for $105,000.

Observatory Hill
Flerahus LLC to Jakub Skrzypczak and Margaret Mary McGaughey at 4016 Vinceton St. for $101,000.

Spring Garden
Patrick Adam Kissel Jr. to NSP Assoc. LLC at 2010 Spring Garden Ave. for $10,000.

Spring Hill
Brittne Lawson to Equity Homes LLC at 2328 Gershon St. for $20,000.

Real Estate Transactions provided by <RealSTATs>.  Contact <RealSTATs> at 412-381-3880 or visit www.RealSTATs.net.

While there is, of course, the nationally-known Pittsburgh Steelers, the neighborhood also has the Northside Steelers.

The difference between the two teams? About a 20-year age gap between the average player.

The Northside Steelers youth football team kicked off their season on Aug. 9 and will be playing through October. Part of the Northside Youth Athletic Association (NYAA), the team consists of local kids from ages 5 to 13 competing in the AFC Division of the Western Pennsylvania Youth Athletic Association.

“We have an unbelievable number of 107 football players and 63 cheerleaders (this year),” Audie Chapman, NYAA executive director and Northside Steelers head coach, told The Chronicle.

The team practices at Fowler Field, while home games are played at the former Oliver High School. Chapman said the team focuses on teaching every kid “from scratch” on how to play, building up their skills as they continue with the team.

“There’s a lot of kids here that have never played football before,” he said.

Beyond football capabilities, the practices also help build up the kids’ social skills and team work. In a time where many kids are staying indoors on the computer, the practices and games draw the teammates together for some outdoor fun and physical activity.

“Where else around [here] are you getting 107 kids together at any given time?” Chapman asked rhetorically.

In addition to the football players, the team also has its cheerleaders, whom Chapman called a “foundation” of the program.

“They’re the ones that are bringing the grandmas, the sisters, the moms and dads (to the game),” he said.

“The cheerleaders bring the crowd,” he said later. While sign-ups are closed for the team this year, registration for next year will open up in May and will end in July. For more information, visit nsyaasports.org.

“Around the Northside, there’s nothing like it,” Chapman said of the program. “When they age out of our program, they come back, still wanting to be involved.”

As for those who want to watch a Northside Steelers game, their schedule can be found below: l Sept. 5, against Homewood, home game 

• Sept. 12, against Hill, home game (HBCU Day)
• Sept. 20, against Penn Hills, away game
• Sept. 27, against Sto Rox, home game
• Oct. 3, against Lincoln, away game
• Oct. 10, against West Side, home game (Homecoming) 

Tickets to attend a game are $5.

I’m happy to share that at the end of July, Council passed legislation I introduced to strengthen Pittsburgh’s parking regulations. Bill 2026-0771, removes an outdated exception in the City Code that allowed vehicles to stop or park in prohibited locations for the purpose of “protecting a vehicle.” This update provides greater clarity in the parking code and supports more consistent enforcement, helping keep sidewalks, bike lanes, crosswalks, and other restricted areas clear, safe, and accessible. While this is an important step forward, I recognize that more work remains to ensure our streets remain safe and accessible for everyone who uses them. My office will continue working with city departments to identify additional improvements that enhance safety throughout our neighborhoods.

Short-Term Rental Regulation Bill 20260009 was briefed at the Planning Commission last month, with a hearing scheduled for Sept. 8 at 2 p.m. After the Planning Commission issues its recommendations to Council, a separate public hearing will be scheduled. As a refresher, the bill would prohibit new short-term rentals in residential zoning districts while establishing where short term rentals are permitted throughout the city. The companion licensing legislation, Bill 2026-0008, will remain on hold until the zoning bill completes this process and returns to Council. I encourage anyone interested in this issue to stay engaged and participate in the public process. For the latest information on the Planning Commission’s decision, meeting materials, and opportunities for public comment, visit: pittsburghpa.gov/Business-Development/City-Planning/Public-Notices.

The 10th Annual Garbage Olympics will take place on Sept. 19 from 9-11 a.m. with a closing ceremony at Spirit (242 51st St.) from noon to 2 p.m. featuring free food from their kitchen sponsored by the Clean Pittsburgh Commission. To learn more, register a team, or join an existing team, visit www.pghgo.org/.

Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) is holding a public comment period for its proposed Bus Line Refresh project until Sept. 30. A public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 10 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Heinz 57 Building, 345 Sixth Ave. This is a great opportunity to share your feedback directly with the organization as they move forward with a final proposed network. For details about the project and how to provide public comment, visit engage.rideprt.org/buslineredesign.

This month, the Department of City Planning will host five final public workshops for residents to review the draft Comprehensive Plan and share critical feedback before revisions are applied and the plan moves into the approval and adoption process. To find out more and register for a workshop, visit pgh2050.com/#welcome-join-us-and-share-your-voice-at-upcoming-events.

I’m thrilled to share that the City of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy received a 2026 Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Award from Preservation Pennsylvania for the rehabilitation of the Valley Refuge Shelter in Riverview Park. The project received a Construction Award for Rehabilitation, recognizing exemplary work to preserve Pennsylvania’s historic places while adapting them to serve communities for generations to come. The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy has been a tremendous partner for residents of the Northside, investing in projects at both Allegheny Commons and Riverview Park, and I look forward to continuing this relationship.

If you have any questions or concerns, call us at (412) 255-2135, email us at district1@pittsburghpa.gov, find us on Facebook, and sign up for our newsletter (pittsburghpa.gov/City-Government/City-Council/Districts/Bobby-Wilson-District-1). My staff and I look forward to hearing from you!

The renovation project will receive a Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Award from Preservation Pennsylvania, an organization that assists with various historic preservation projects across the state, at an award ceremony on Sept. 16 in York, Pennsylvania. Specifically, the City and Conservancy will receive a Construction Award for Rehabilitation, “recognizing exemplary work to preserve Pennsylvania’s historic places while adapting them to serve communities for generations to come,” according to a press release from the City.

“As I understand it, the state preservation awards are not handed out easily,” said Brandon Riley, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy’s Community Projects and Engagement Director.

“We’re really proud and excited that the Valley Refuge Shelter was selected,” he said later.

First built in the late 1930s, the shelter was in need of some major renovations after decades of use. The structure’s roof and flagstone flooring had deteriorated, and its restrooms were not Americans with Disabilities Act compliant.

The renovations were launched and completed last year, with the shelter having its first major event only a few weeks after reopening with the 2025 Reggae at Riverview music festival on Aug. 2, 2025.

Erin Tobin, the Conservancy’s Outreach Coordinator, said the renovations were a careful act of both preserving the historic look of the shelter, and updating it for modern use and convenience.

“It’s a cool thing to be able to balance all of those different needs and to honor the history of such a cool place in Riverview Park,” she said.

While the City and the Conservancy are receiving the award, Riley said many different organizations were involved in getting the work done. Besides those two, Friends of Riverview Park, the Pittsburgh Department of Public Works, state funding agencies and private foundations all played a part in both paying for and ensuring the project was completed.

“If everyone chips in something, you can get a lot more done,” he said. The rehabilitation used funding from the City of Pittsburgh’s Parks Tax Fund, as well as a Keystone Historic Preservation Grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and private support.

Despite the major accomplishment, the Conservancy is not resting on its laurels. Tobin said the organization will soon begin work on a renovation of Watson’s Cabin in Riverview Park. The cabin is the former home of Samuel Watson, the farmer who sold the land to create the park, and was used as a shelter until it was largely destroyed in a fire.

For more information about that upcoming project, visit engage.pittsburghpa.gov/watsons-cabin.

The City and Conservancy are one of 21 recipients who will be recognized at the awards ceremony.

Brighton Heights
William Kavals to Nicholas Koroly at 3509 Fleming Ave. for $115,000.
Clinton Branchen to Beck Jacobson at 1259 San Pedro St. for $267,500.

East Deutschtown
Penn Pioneer Enterprises LLC to Staywalt Properties LLC at Vista St., parcel 0024-E-00201-0000-00, for $10,000.

Manchester
Melvin Adams to David and Lauren Abt at Stedman St., parcel 0022-P-00240-000A-00, for $12,500.

Marshall-Shadeland
Steve Bernardi to Meghan Gwinn-Linder at 12 Boston St. for $148,500.
Thomas Hartman Jr. to P8 Hold Co. 1 LLC at 3158 Shadeland Ave. for $34,000.

Observatory Hill
Donald Stone to PB4 Enterprises LLC at 259 Watson Blvd. for $52,500.

Real Estate Transactions provided by <RealSTATs>.  Contact <RealSTATs> at 412-381-3880 or visit www.RealSTATs.net.

Pittsburgh’s Department of Mobility & Infrastructure (DOMI) held a public design workshop on Aug. 5 at the Manchester Citizens Corporation to allow attendees to review three plans to transform State Route 65 and reconnect Manchester and Chateau. Despite a heavy rain storm occurring that day, the event drew a packed crowd of people to give their feedback.

Beginning construction in 1960, a 1-mile portion of State Route 65 bisected Manchester and Chateau, leaving residents with few non-vehicular options to cross over from one neighborhood to the other, despite them being adjacent to one another.

Kris Chandler, a principal planner with DOMI and project lead, said such occurrences were common during the construction of the national highway system, saying many of these major roadways were built through Black and low-income communities, effectively cutting neighborhoods up.

The United States Department of Transportation is funding a feasibility study to lessen the barrier represented by the highway through its Reconnecting Communities Pilot Grant Program. While DOMI’s project will not definitively result in construction, Chandler said the plan is to take the feedback given by the public to inform future decisions to address the highway.

Attendees at the workshop were given score cards in order to grade the three plans presented by DOMI under a variety of criteria. In addition, DOMI is collecting feedback via the project’s Engage page, at engage.pittsburghpa.gov/state-route-65-feasibility-study.

The three plans presented by DOMI went under the names Cross Connections, Boulevard and Street Grid.

Cross Connections would keep the elevated structure of State Route 65, but would create four additional multimodal crossings beneath it, making it easier for cars, bikes and pedestrians to get from Manchester to Chateau and vice-versa. The plan would replace the foundation of the elevated highway with large pillars instead of solid concrete in order to enable these crossings, as well as allowing for the building of green spaces.

Boulevard, meanwhile, would lower State Route 65 to ground level and restrict traffic to two center-running lanes with limited access to local streets. The adjacent Beaver Avenue would also be moved farther east, creating new open land plots for development and around 200,000 square feet of green space. The plan would create six street connections from Manchester to Chateau, using traffic lights to allow for safe crossing and to slow traffic on the road.

Finally, Street Grid would remove the elevated highway and replace it with two street-level roads. This would recreate the historic street grid-like pattern between Manchester and Chateau. The plan would make five street connections between the neighborhoods, and would create four new city blocks for potential development, as well as creating around 390,000 square feet of green space.

The planning study project is lasting through the end of September.

Public reaction

The Chronicle spoke with various members of the public in attendance at the workshop to see how they felt about the plans presented.

Charis Walker, a resident of Manchester for 12 years, said she found herself leaning towards Boulevard most out of the three plans, though wasn’t strictly opposed to any of them.

“I like something about each of them,” she said.

Walker said Boulevard stuck out due to creating more space for redevelopment by shifting Beaver Avenue over.

Betsy Coleman, who has lived in Manchester for 52 years, said she favored Cross Connections, as she wanted to keep State Route 65 elevated. She thought it the most convenient for people coming and leaving from the area, as well as being the safest for pedestrians and cyclists.

Jess Jackson, a Manchester resident of 16 years, was unable to choose which was her favorite, saying all plans “have their positives.” However, she said her biggest concern was about traffic speeds with whatever plan is put into action.

Jess’s husband Drew Jackson, also in attendance at the meeting, said he most favored Street Grid, seeing it as creating the best connections between the neighborhoods while slowing traffic down the most to safe levels.

However, he said that whichever plan comes out of the study, he most hopes that it is actually taken up by the city, expressing some worry that a plan could be made but never carried out.

“I hope they come to fruition,” he said.

The Second Annual Northside Sandwich Week will take place Oct. 19 to Oct. 25, culminating in a final event on Oct. 26 at The Priory Grand Hall where the next Sandwich King or Queen will be crowned.

Tickets are available now! Purchase them here for $25. In addition, you can add on $19.99 to get a six-month subscription to The Northside Chronicle, giving you even more ways to support The Chronicle and letting you try out a subscription for cheaper than it usually costs!

So far, a total of nine competitors have signed on to take part in this year’s event. Returning from last year are Breadbox (Last year’s runner up), Ida’s Sandwich Shop (Who took third place in 2025), and Wise County Biscuits & Cafe!

Meanwhile, our new contenders include Bistro-to-Go, Smash Burger, The Sandwich Shop, The Eastman, De Fer Coffee & Tea and Modern Cafe.

We’re also proud to announce that the hosts of the YaJagoff! podcast will be back to emcee the event, continuing the wonderful job they did last year.

All of these restaurants will compete to see who can make the Northside’s best sandwich!

We also have a few spots open for any restaurants looking to take part. Those who wish to do so should contact The Chronicle at editor@thenorthsidechronicle. com or at (412) 321-3919.

What is Sandwich Week

Northside Sandwich Week was an annual fundraiser run by the Northside Leadership Conference until 2020, when it came to an end due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last year, The Chronicle revived the event, bringing back a favorite event of the year on the Northside.

Participating restaurants enter a sandwich to the competition. During Sandwich Week, each restaurant will offer a special deal on their specific sandwich.

Then, on Oct. 26, a final judging event will take place at The Priory. During the event, attendees will get a chance to taste bite-sized samples of each sandwich and vote on their favorite.

These votes, alongside votes from a panel of judges, will be used to determine the three best sandwiches on the Northside, with the top vote-getter being crowned Northside Sandwich King or Queen.

More information

The Northside Chronicle will be releasing more information about Sandwich Week on our social media platforms throughout September and October, including the sandwiches from each restaurant and what deals they’ll be offering.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@nschron) for more. We also have a Facebook and Instagram account set up specifically for Sandwich Week, so be sure to follow those profiles as well to get all the details as soon as they come out.

The October issue will also have more information. We want to thank all our participating restaurants for taking part in this event. Sandwich Week has become an important event for The Chronicle, and a big way to support our mission of offering Northside-exclusive news to all our readers.

Without fundraising from events like Sandwich Week, we wouldn’t be able to keep up with all we do. So, if you’re a big fan of The Northside Chronicle and want to lend us support, please follow all our Sandwich Week news as it comes out, check out all the participating restaurants and buy a ticket once they go up for purchase. We promise it’s an event you won’t want to miss. 

California-Kirkbride
Wayne Joyce to KGRANDBEAN LLC at 1417 Brighton Road for $175,000.

Observatory Hill
Oleksandr Zharkov to Cal Uren at 56 Bascom Ave. for $182,000.
Estate of Richard Werner to Chanessa Schuler at 403 Wabana St. for $215,000.

Troy Hill
James Campbell to Laura Byrd at 59 Waterfront Drive for $715,000.
Susan Cosentino to Roxanne Mahfood at 8 Waterside Pl for $615,000.

Real Estate Transactions provided by <RealSTATs>.  Contact <RealSTATs> at 412-381-3880 or visit www.RealSTATs.net.

Coasta Properties LLC to Christopher James Nygren and Chiara Montera at 1218 Sherman Ave. for $455,000.

Tosdice LLC to Daniel and Tina Paduck trustee at 1112 Palo Alto St. Unit A for $280,000.

RSM Design LLC to David Webster and Kimberley Hilliard at 922 W North Ave. for $1,594,000.

Pittsburgh City to Daniel Hendrickson at W Jefferson St., parcel 0023-E-00140-0000-00, for $200 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $1,194).

Brighton Heights

Patrick Gray to Paul and Susannah Barsom at 3603 California Ave. Unit B for $150,000.

Joshue Bertram MacCarty to Peter Paul Depasquale and Christina Morrissey at 3565 Gerber Ave. for $23,000.

Ryan Flynn to Emily Kinkead at 3514 Shadeland Ave. for $339,000.

Seth McClarey to Amber Betancourt at 3518 Simen Ave. for $265,000.

John Fiedler to Michael Grguras at 3951 Oakdale St. for $35,000.

Beth Lazaara to Douglas D L and Jessica Baker at California Ave., parcel 0075-B-00358-0000-00, for $30,000.

Diane Marie Galardi to Invest Pro 888 LLC at 1437 Orchlee St. for $160,000.

HSBC Bank USA NA Tr to Manchester Living Matters LLC at 1156 Pemberton St. for $91,000.

Grace Cammarata to Fareri Homestead LLC et al. at 3921 Riddile St. for $189,000.

Sharon Marie Miller to NM&D LLC at 1014 Stanford Road for $180,000.

California-Kirkbride

High Cirrus Development LLC to NJ 1 LLC at 1605 Brighton Place for $550,000.

East Deutschtown

1254 Dean Street LLC to West Aircomm FCU at 845 Blossom Way for $350,000 by sheriff’s deed. Katie Binetti to Brittany Ditto at 842 Phineas St. for $230,000.

Penn Pioneer Enterprises LLC to Boris Tafkov at 861 Vista St. for $15,500.

Fineview

Marlin Nabors to Tyler and Shanleigh Knittel at 304 Lafayette Ave. for $630,000.

Titans Real Estate LLC to ISAM Properties LLC at 2014 Letsche St. for $31,000.

Estate of Robert Matthews Dixon to Devlinc Inc. at 2100 Federal Street Ext. for $155,000.

Historic Deutschtown

Nebeyou Abebe Yohannes to MAHI One LLC at 1316 James St. for $61,600.

Daniel Gorsich to Nicholas and Talia Buttgereit at 1402 James St. for $317,500.

Katherine Susanne Tarara to Kekaimalu Chin and Mary Elizabeth Diercks at 514 Cedar Ave. for $335,000.

Daniel Bobovnyik to William Francis Sarro Jr. and Clara De Andrade Graciano Humberg at 1202 James St. for $425,000.

Marshall-Shadeland

David Pollard to GCAT 2019 RPL1 Trust at 3141 Brighton Ave. for $50,000 by sheriff’s deed.

James Dittler trustee to Thaman Rentals & Renovation LLC at 1237 Dickson St. for $45,000.

Julia Dentice to Alex Deise at 1402 Dickson St. for $212,500.

Carmen Arana to Dahntahn Realty LLC at 1184-1186 New Hampshire Drive for $24,900.

Estate of Ronald Nyman to GAE Shelby LLC at 3318 Shelby St. for $83,000.

Estate of Melanie Guiste to Jacob Mahaffey and Elizabeth Norris at 1256 Superior Ave. for $240,000.

John Nash Jr. to Thisprop LLC at 3234 Central Ave. for $50,000.

Amber Kotari Imam to MS Capital Group Pittsburgh LLC at 10 Courtright St. for $1 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $29,000).

Real Deals LLC to Central Florida Income Fund LLC at 3124 Frederick St. for $60,000 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $180,000) by sheriff’s deed.

North Shore

Blackburn IV LLC to Cedar One Assets LLC at 210 Federal St. for $1,075,000.

Observatory Hill

Bao Ping Zheng to Wei Zhu at 12 Perryview Ave. for $83,779.

WC Home Acces Owner OH 1 LLC to BAHA Properties LLC at 42 Watson Blvd. for $190,000.

Perry Hilltop

Mitchell Gray Thompson to BINA PA LLC at 2652 Norwood Ave. for $72,500.

PRF 100 LLC to Shavonne Lowry at 303 Elsdon St. for $170,000.

Betty Smith trustee to Anglican Diocese PGH at 2860 Perrysville Ave. for $279,900.

Estate of Harry McKinley to Sean Link at 1977 Federal Street Ext. for $155,000.

Rosalie Wisniewski to Chad Minton at 409 Bark St. for $60,000 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $180,000) by sheriff’s deed.

Grey Steel City LLC to Hoan Nhut Do Tan at 2917 N Charles St. for $65,000.

Spring Garden

Cynthia Boles to Jason Weaver at 1843 Spring Garden Ave. for $85,000.

Spring Hill

SM Painting Restoration LLC to Maple Capital Investments LLC at 2149 Harbor St. for $82,300.

Katherine Crystal Smith Sinagra to Deborah McNier at 54 Woessner Ave. for $1 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $35,200).

Summer Hill

Joanne Schmidt to Hsuan Yu and Yi Ching Lin at 4642 Mt. Troy Road Ext. for $295,000.

Troy Hill

James Dunn trustee to June Bay PA LLC at 1360 Herman St. for $135,000.

Autumn Kirila to Jordan Sanchez and Brooke Austin at 1834 Ley St. for $244,000.

Michael Kolbrener to Steven Fey at 71 Waterfront Drive for $760,000.

Sean Ferry to Omnia Investments LLC at 1845 Ley St. for $130,000.

Victoria Stephen to Michael Weleski and Donato Demarco at 1833-1835 Ley St. for $420,000.

Louis Testoni to Cesare and Ann Marie Donatelli Frepoli at 79 Waterfront Drive for $1,100,000.

The renovation project will receive a Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Award from Preservation Pennsylvania, an organization that assists with various historic preservation projects across the state, at an award ceremony on Sept. 16 in York, Pennsylvania. Specifically, the City and Conservancy will receive a Construction Award for Rehabilitation, “recognizing exemplary work to preserve Pennsylvania’s historic places while adapting them to serve communities for generations to come,” according to a press release from the City.

“As I understand it, the state preservation awards are not handed out easily,” said Brandon Riley, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy’s Community Projects and Engagement Director.

Check out the September 2026 issue of The Northside Chronicle for the full story.

The sixth annual East Commons Community Friends to Garden Dinner will take place on Aug. 29, from 5-11 p.m.

The party is a fundraiser to support the East Commons Community Garden, such as funding additional garden beds and free community events that take place at the garden.

Tickets are $75 and can be purchased at deutschtown.org/friends-to-gardendinner/.

Tickets for the event include a welcome cocktail/mocktail, cocktail hour, hors d’oeuvres, a dinner buffet and desserts. There will also be a silent auction, prize raffles and a 50/50 raffle.

The East Commons Community Garden was created in 2018 on the site of three abandoned city tennis courts. The 17,000-square foot site houses 54 raised garden beds, and is tended to by more than 75 volunteers.

The party is limited to guests over 21 and will be held rain or shine.

Back to school fair to be held in Fowler Park

The Northside Community Back 2 School Family Festival will be held on Aug. 16, from 1-5 p.m., at Fowler Park.

The event is organized by Legacy Community Options For All People (LCOP), a religious social services organization based on the South Side.

Backpacks and school supplies will be available for attendees. There will also be free food, live music, family activities and carnival games/amusement rides.

For more information, visit legacycop.org/backtoschool.

Historic Deutschtown
Ann Vilcheck to Euan and Angharad Morgan at 1000 Middle St. for $467,500.

Manchester
Rebecca Kritschil Chappell to Daniel Wilkerson at 1210 Sheffield St. for $335,000.

Spring Garden
Kathryn Anne Benson to Nicholas McGraw at 2300 Spring Garden Ave. for $11,000.

Real Estate Transactions provided by <RealSTATs>.  Contact <RealSTATs> at 412-381-3880 or visit www.RealSTATs.net.

The result is 1897, a limited-edition American wheat beer brewed with cinnamon and named in honor of the Chamber’s founding year.

Hosted on-site at Penn Brewery, the brew day gave participants an opportunity to learn about the craft brewing process firsthand while rolling up their sleeves and taking part in the production of the Chamber’s signature beer.

Penn Brewery’s three-vessel brewing system allowed participants to follow the process from grain to fermenter.

The process began with the mash, where the grains were mixed with hot water to convert the natural starches in the malt into fermentable sugars. The mixture was then moved through the lauter stage, separating the liquid from the spent grain. The resulting sugary liquid, known as wort, was collected and transferred for the boil.

During the boil, hops were added to contribute bitterness and aroma to the beer. Following the boil, the wort entered the whirlpool, a process that helps separate the hops and other solids from the liquid. It was at this stage that the beer’s signature ingredient — cinnamon — was added, giving 1897 its distinctive character.

The wort was then chilled and aerated before being transferred to the fermenter, where yeast works its magic, converting the sugars into alcohol and creating the finished beer.

For the Chamber, the experience was about more than brewing a beer. It was an opportunity to celebrate local businesses, bring members together, and showcase the craftsmanship and history that make Pittsburgh’s Northside a special place.

The 1897 beer can design was created by Fine Humans Creative Agency, the winner of the Chamber’s beer can design contest. The design, paired with the cinnamon wheat ale brewed by Chamber members on-site at Penn Brewery, creates a limited- edition product that celebrates both the Chamber’s history and the neighborhood’s brewing heritage.

Preorder 1897 and support the Chamber

Beer lovers can get their hands on this limited- edition brew while supporting the Northside | North Shore Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is holding a pre-sale fundraiser, with a portion of the proceeds from the beer sales benefiting the Cham- ber.

1897 is available for preorder as a limited-edition six-pack, with pickup beginning Aug. 27 at Penn Brewery.

To reserve your beer, visit the Penn Brewery online ordering system and select the 1897 Limited Edition Northside Northshore Chamber of Commerce 6-pack. When ordering, customers are asked to enter their name and phone number in the Special Requests field.

The Chamber encourages residents, businesses, and visitors to support this collaboration and raise a glass to the organization that has been connecting and supporting the Northside business community since 1897.

Penn Brewery celebrates a gold-medal winning tradition

The Chamber’s brew day also provided an opportunity to celebrate Penn Brewery’s continued success on the national and international beer competition stage.

Most recently, Penn Brewery’s Eisbock earned a Gold Medal at the U.S. Open Beer Championship in Cincinnati, Ohio. The beer was submitted for a blind tasting competition, where judges evaluated it alongside entries from breweries competing in the same category without knowing the brewery behind each beer.

Producing an Eisbock is a challenging brewing process. The style is created by freezing the beer and removing a portion of the water in the form of ice, concentrating the remaining beer and intensifying its flavors, alcohol content, and body. The process requires precision and careful attention to balance.

The gold medal marks a back-to-back win for Penn Brewery in 2025 and 2026, adding another accomplishment to the brewery’s long history of award-winning beers.

Penn Brewery Biermeister Chris Rudolph is already looking ahead.

“We’re going for the trifecta for next year,” Rudolph said.

The brewery also celebrated a win at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver last fall for its Oktoberfest beer, adding to its reputation for producing traditional German-style beers alongside its broader lineup of craft offerings.

Raise a glass to local

The Northside | North Shore Chamber encourages the community to visit Penn Brewery, support a local business, and experience the brewery’s beers and hospitality firsthand.

Penn Brewery’s bar is open Thursday through Friday from 4-8 p.m., Saturday from 3-8 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., with a limited bar menu available.

The brewery will also celebrate Oktoberfest Sept. 18–20 and Sept. 25–27. Friday and Saturday celebrations will run from 5-11:30 p.m., while Sundays will feature a Family Day from noon to 7 p.m.

From brewing a limited-edition beer with Chamber members to bringing home gold medals from national competitions, Penn Brewery continues to be a part of the Northside’s vibrant business and cultural landscape.

The Chamber’s 1897 beer offers the community another way to celebrate that connection—one cinnamon wheat ale at a time.

Cheers to local business. Cheers to local beer. And cheers to 1897!

Brighton Heights
Estate of James Kaiser to Thomas and Lisa West at 408 Chandler Pl for $295,000.
Haven Home Builders LLC to Emilio Townsend and Megan Schillinger at 1536 Cooper Ave. for $188,000.
Estate of Ann Caroline Restaine to Edward Disy at 1144 Goe Ave. for $210,000.
Garrett Brewer to Cartus Financial Corp. at 3448 Harbison Ave. for $180,000.
Cartus Financial Corp. to Kristen Locante at 3448 Harbison Ave. for $180,000.
George Pringle to Manchester Living Matters LLC at 1131 Pemberton St. for $98,000.

Manchester
Marc Hillard Fogel to Dominic James Dicostanzo at 1003 Allegheny Ave. for $460,000.
1448 Beldale LLC to Secured Investment High Yield FD II LLC at 1448 Beldale St. for $5,430 by sheriff's deed.

Marshall-Shadeland
Estate of Frances Hein to Andrew McCue at 2917 Frederick St. for $20,405.
Bellflower Real Estate LLC to John and Brenda Hoover at 2923 Frederick St. for $215,000.
Carol Lee Croker to Joseph Hnat at 129 Mitchell St. for $49,900.
Joshua Haefele to TB Capital Group LLC at 912 Rothpletz St. for $45,000.

Spring Garden
Estate of Ronald Samuel to Barlow Investments LLC at 1237 High St. for $55,000.

Real Estate Transactions provided by <RealSTATs>.  Contact <RealSTATs> at 412-381-3880 or visit www.RealSTATs.net.

Organized by Ben Soltesz, the festival held performances from more than 75 bands over the course of the threeday event, backed by a lineup of food trucks and cuisines from local vendors like Kona’s Ice of Pittsburgh West and PGH Crepes.

Festivities began around 6 p.m. on July 10, with music from local rock bands like the Redlines who performed at the Iron City Beer Stage on Foreland and indie artist Danny Golden who performed on the festival’s second stage, WYEP stage at Allegheny City Brewing.

Saturday saw a mixture of different performers across different genres like pop singer-songwriter Lindsay Liebro, and celtic punk band Bastard Bearded Irishman.

A mix of longtime festival goers and newcomers attended, including Jim Cook, a North Hills resident, who was joined by a friend for Saturday’s festivities. Cook says he heard about the festival from NEXTpittsburgh, a local publication.

“They [NEXTpittsburgh] sent me a list of what’s going on in Pittsburgh this weekend,” Cook told the Chronicle. “I saw it and I said, ‘I have to go.’” Cooks says he enjoyed his time at the festival as it was a way to get out of the house and see “the fresh air and the people.”

The last day of the event started at 11 a.m. and was Gospel focused, mainly taking place at Allegheny Commons. Rob Geyer, who attended Sunday’s Gospel event, talked about how he believes the festival is a “positive presence” for those on the Northside. He hopes the Gospel music “emanates” throughout the area for all to hear.

“It [the festival] gives a nice counter to some of the dark experiences that happen here,” Geyer said. “It just brings a nice light to some areas that need it.”

Noel Kowalkowski, who attended Sunday’s event as a presenter for the Urban Impact Foundation, a local nonprofit organization serving local teens in areas of the performing arts and education, says she also felt the impact of the community.

As she looked around the festival, she spoke about her love of seeing the community come together and having something that is “just Northside.”

“The Northside has so much because we have like Deutschtown and we have a bunch of different kinds of people and a bunch of different artists and art,” Kowalkowski said. It’s nice to see us all here together and to have something and just show off the Northside.”

“It was definitely a big switch-up with my life, “ Germaine told The Chronicle. “Five, six years ago, I never imagined myself in boxing and going out of town, being nationally ranked.”

His rank? Number one. Germaine claimed first place at the Golden Gloves of America Junior & Youth Nationals in the 17-18-year-old male division at 143 pounds. The Golden Gloves is one of the highest levels of competition available to young boxers in the United States. The championship was held July 7-11 in Allen, Texas, with boxers from ages 8 to 18 participating.

Germaine was boxing with Team 412, a non-profit boxing organization based in Pittsburgh. In 2024, Delbert “Sonny” Taylor, who grew up on the Northside, competed in the 2024 United States Olympic Boxing Trials while boxing with Team 412.

James Hoy, head coach and founder of Team 412, described the Golden Gloves as one of the two biggest events for youth boxing, the other being the Junior Olympics. Germaine also competed at that event, earning a bronze medal.

Germaine’s final bout of the Golden Gloves was a rematch of an opponent he defeated at the 2026 Junior Olympics. Germaine faced off against Nolan Huntley of Toledo, Ohio, to claim the championship.

Despite his previous victory, Germaine knew he had something to prove going into the fight.

“The last time I beat him, everybody said I got lucky,” he said. “Anybody I beat, it was never luck,” he added later. Though he felt confident he could win, Germaine said that hearing his name called as the victor made him feel one thing: relief.

“After being in the finals, there was a lot of nervousness,” he said, “and after hearing my name and my corner, it was just a big relief of stress.”

Hoy had high praise for Germaine, calling him an “amazing athlete” with work ethic that goes “through the roof.”

“I think you get what you deserve, but you also get what you’ve earned, and he’s done both of those,” Hoy said.

The coach recalled that when Germaine first started boxing for him, he weighed around 195 pounds, and Hoy was not sure he would be able to compete. However, Germaine showed dedication and quickly got into shape.

“He’s the fastest, best conditioned kid I’ve ever coached,” he said. Germaine had equal praise for his coach, saying that Hoy “makes sure everybody is perfect.”

“You can’t really go wrong with the good type of coaching he does,” he said. “He doesn’t let off for one second.”

Germaine says he plans to continue boxing and wishes to compete in the full Olympics one day. He’s also considering potentially becoming a professional boxer.

Germaine was not the only Team 412 boxer to do well at the competition. Teammates Niko Wilson took silver at 114 pounds and D’mir Flemings won bronze at 119 pounds. Neither is a Northsider.

After the Department of Public Works closed the Spring Garden Playground due to its noncompliance, I’m happy to announce that I identified funding to fully replace the playground with t he goal of construction beginning this fall. An Engage Page found here: engage.pittsburghpa.gov/spring-garden, is now live with two current design options available to review and fill out the survey, which closes on Aug. 14.

A traffic calming project is coming to the Spring Hill neighborhood at Itin and Rhine Streets and will include speed tables and a designated parking lane. Before construction begins, the Department of Mobility & Infrastructure is coordinating with PGH2O to ensure its planned catch basin replacement project will not conflict with the work. Details on the project can be found here: engage.pittsburghpa.gov/rhine-and-itin-traffic-calming.

The Spring Hill Park is currently under construction, with the top half of the park expected to be completed by fall 2026. Work will continue on the field, and an expected completion date is spring 2027. I’m very grateful for the work done by the Department of Public Works and look forward to celebrating this transformational project’s completion. More details can be found here: engage. pittsburghpa.gov/spring-hill.

There are some great events this month in the Northside that I would recommend to attend, starting with Reggae at Riverview Park, on Saturday Aug. 1 from noon to 8 p.m., at the Valley Refuge Shelter. This is the sixth year for this free, family-friendly event which features numerous musicians, vendors, Caribbean food, art, and much more. For more details, follow the event on Instagram at reggae_at_riverview.

Also on Aug. 1, is the Observatory Hill Inc. House Tour, “Ins and Outs of Observatory Hill,” from noon to 5 p.m. Visitors will be able to explore a number of charming and historic homes which are lovingly maintained by their proud owners. Each stop gives one the ability to see the craftsmanship that went into making Observatory Hill a standout Northside neighborhood. To purchase tickets, visit ohipgh.org/events.

Lastly, National Night Out will be held on Aug. 4 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., with various events throughout the Northside. This is a great opportunity to connect with the community and public safety representatives. To learn more, visit pittsburghpa.gov/Safety/Public-Safety/National-Night-Out.

If you have any questions or concerns, call us at (412) 255-2135, email us at district1@pittsburghpa.gov, find us on Facebook, and sign up for our newsletter (pittsburghpa.gov/City-Government/City-Council/Districts/Bobby-Wilson-District-1). My staff and I look forward to hearing from you!

Fineview
Estate of Robert Matthews Dixon to Devlinc Inc. at 2100 Federal Street Ext. for $155,000.

Historic Deutschtown
Daniel Bobovnyik to William Francis Sarro Jr. and Clara De Andrade Graciano Humberg at 1202 James St. for $425,000.

Marshall-Shadeland
Amber Kotari Imam to MS Capital Group Pittsburgh LLC at 10 Courtright St. for $1 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $29,000).
Real Deals LLC to Central Florida Income Fund LLC at 3124 Frederick St. for $60,000 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $180,000) by sheriff's deed.

Perry Hilltop
Estate of Harry McKinley to Sean Link at 1977 Federal Street Ext. for $155,000.
Rosalie Wisniewski to Chad Minton at 409 Bark St. for $60,000 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $180,000) by sheriff's deed.
Grey Steel City LLC to Hoan Nhut Do Tan at 2917 N Charles St. for $65,000.

Spring Garden
Cynthia Boles to Jason Weaver at 1843 Spring Garden Ave. for $85,000.

Spring Hill
Katherine Crystal Smith Sinagra to Deborah McNier at 54 Woessner Ave. for $1 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $35,200).

Summer Hill
Joanne Schmidt to Hsuan Yu and Yi Ching Lin at 4642 Mt. Troy Road Ext. for $295,000.

Troy Hill
Victoria Stephen to Michael Weleski and Donato Demarco at 1833-1835 Ley St. for $420,000.
Louis Testoni to Cesare and Ann Marie Donatelli Frepoli at 79 Waterfront Drive for $1,100,000.

Real Estate Transactions provided by <RealSTATs>.  Contact <RealSTATs> at 412-381-3880 or visit www.RealSTATs.net.

“It has been packed from the moment we opened the doors,” said Annie Perri Cole, a member of the fair’s organizing committee.

The fair was moved to All Saints Episcopal Church from its original outdoor location at Legion Park the day before the event, which was held on July 18. Organizers said the church offered the location free of charge.

While the switch made for a more constrained fair, it nevertheless managed to draw large crowds of people. Perri Cole estimated more than a thousand people attended the event, giving them the chance to browse books from 20 different vendors, listen to readings, meet local authors and get the chance to swap books.

The idea of the fair grew out of various book clubs in Brighton Heights as a way to celebrate and encourage reading. A committee was formed under the Brighton Heights Citizens Federation with representatives of these clubs, consisting of Perri Cole, Carlene Halmo, Jen Shumar and Kelly Roseberry.

Some of the participating vendors included Heroineburgh, a multimedia company that makes comics and videos based around female Pittsburgh superheroes, and Raven’s Quill, a mobile bookstore focused primarily on romance and fantasy stories.

The event also saw support from local businesses, with several donating items towards a silent auction, including California Coffee Bar, Pittsburgh Cycle Path and Allegheny City Brewing.

“The support from the community has been amazing,” said Shumar. With the apparent success of the book fair’s first iteration, Shumar said the committee has “already started planning for next year.”

The free one day event will feature live music, a bouncy house and face paint for the kids, and vegan, cruelty- free cuisine from vendors like Brewster’s Ice Cream and Fed by Vegans, a plant-based catering business from New Jersey.

The festival is also bringing back an activity called “Walk with a Doc,”according to co-founder Leila Sleiman. Festival attendees can take a brisk 30-minute walk around the commons right before the event with licensed physician Dr. Natalie Gentile, co-founder of Direct Care Physicians of Pittsburgh.

“People can walk with physician Dr. Natalie Gentile and talk about health, wellness, fitness, or even vegan food,” Sleiman told the Chronicle. “Registration is online and recommended, but not required.”

The festival will also house a variety of animals through its vendors like Pittsburgh Squealers or Maryland’s Fish Feel. According to Sleiman, a large aspect of VegFest is not just about the food, but about animal advocacy and education. She spoke of one vendor planning to attend the event, Pittsburgh Squealers, a nonprofit dedicated to Pig Rescue.

“They [Pittsburgh Squealers] just rescued like 12 pigs out of hoarder conditions, and some of them didn’t survive,” Sleiman said. “It’s hard stuff, and VegFest provides an opportunity for these organizations that are experts in their field to have conversations with the local community about those things.”

VegFest will also feature cuisine from local “fan-favorites” like Onion Maiden. Sleiman wants VegFest to be a space that highlights local businesses, especially in a time where many are shutting down in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is the heart of VegFest, according to Sleiman, and part of the reason why she started the event 12 years ago. A Northside resident at the time, she noticed a resurgence of local cruelty-free businesses in the area, and wanted to give them their proper exposure.

“I liked the idea of bringing the surrounding community to the North Side,” Sleiman said.

VegFest brings an incredibly diverse group of people, according to Sleiman, and she hopes attendees take away some knowledge after leaving, or are inspired to contribute to local businesses in their own area, Northside or otherwise.

“It has to start with us,” Sleiman said. “We can’t make a change on a bigger scale if we don’t make a change in our local community or on our plate.”

For more information, visit pittsburghvegfest.org/

As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I spend many hours reviewing budget proposals, asking tough questions, and working with my colleagues at the Capitol to advocate for spending that is in the best interest of taxpayers. Crafting a budget is never easy. Doing so with a divided government where Republicans have controlled the state Senate for over 30 years, Democrats lead the House with just one vote, and a Democratic governor makes compromise essential. Still, if budgets are moral documents that reflect the values of this Commonwealth, I am proud of what we have accomplished this year.

On July 12, the 2026-27 state budget was signed into law. While the fight continues for passage of essential policies like paid family leave and an increased minimum wage, I am proud of the progress we made because this budget delivers meaningful investments for Pennsylvania taxpayers, without adding any new taxes.

Continuing our efforts to constitutionally fund our schools remains a huge priority in the state budget. Every child deserves access to a quality education, regardless of their ZIP code. This budget includes $565 million in adequacy funding for schools that have historically been underfunded, along with a $50 million increase in basic education funding and another $50 million increase for special education for schools across the state. Public schools in Allegheny County are seeing an increase of over $26 million in this year’s budget.

Additionally, we are once again funding free school breakfast for every student, as well as providing $3 million to ensure students have access to menstrual hygiene products at no cost. While the budget still does not provide school lunch for every student, like my universal school meals legislation (H.B 180) would, these investments help ensure our students have more of what they need to succeed in school.

We also finally delivered something that many retirees in Pennsylvania have waited decades to see: a cost-of-living adjustment for an estimated 60,000 retired teachers, emergency responders, and other state employees who retired prior to July 2, 2001. This budget recognizes their service and provides long-overdue relief, as many have struggled to keep up with rising costs after so many years without an increase to their pensions.

One investment I am especially proud to have fought for is the historic increase in funding for Pennsylvania’s 47 rape crisis centers — we doubled their state funding to $24.2 million. For years, these organizations have been expected to do more with less while supporting survivors through some of the most traumatic experiences of their lives. Their workers provide counseling, accompany survivors to hospitals and court proceedings, answer crisis hotlines, and help people begin the difficult process of healing. Despite the critical services they provide, state funding remained flat for years.

This increase is a major victory for survivors, advocates, and everyone who refused to accept that the status quo was good enough. It sends a clear message that Pennsylvania supports survivors and recognizes the essential work these organizations do every single day.

Another investment I fought for that reflects our commitment to safer communities is $600,000 to support transportation for family visits to state correctional institutions through the Pennsylvania Prison Society’s bus program.

Research consistently shows that maintaining family connections during incarceration is key to reducing recidivism after release. A study on recidivism conducted by our own Pennsylvania Department of Corrections found that in-person visits are strongly correlated with reduced recidivism. Supporting family connections isn’t just the compassionate thing to do. It also helps people successfully reenter society, making our communities safer and saving taxpayer dollars.

These investments reflect my belief that government works best when it helps people build stable, healthy, and secure lives. Whether we’re supporting public schools, survivors of sexual violence, retired public servants, or helping families stay connected, these investments pay dividends for all of us.

In future budget negotiations, I will continue working for investments that help make Pennsylvania a place where everyone can thrive. Those priorities don’t disappear because one budget has passed. But progress matters. Every budget is another opportunity to move our goals forward, and this year’s budget makes strides in that direction.

I am especially grateful to everyone who spoke up, shared their stories, contacted legislators, and advocated for these priorities throughout the budget process. Your voices make a difference, and many of this year’s accomplishments would not have happened without your persistence.

If you want to learn more about the state budget, or other issues I am working on, I encourage you to call my office at (412) 321-5523, email RepKinkead@pahouse.net, or visit my office at 658 Lincoln Ave. in Bellevue.

Pennsylvania’s new state budget has been signed into law, and as a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I had the opportunity to help shape a spending plan that makes meaningful investments in our Commonwealth’s future without raising taxes or drawing from Pennsylvania’s Rainy Day Fund.

This budget recognizes that strong communities begin with strong families. It expands support for child care and child welfare services, increases funding for early intervention programs and career & technical education, strengthens children’s health care through CHIP, and provides additional resources for mental health and crisis services. It also continues our commitment to Pennsylvania’s seniors by investing in the PACE and PACENET prescription assistance programs, supports teachers, first responders, and state retirees with a cost-of-living adjustment, improves transportation and public safety infrastructure, and expands opportunities for historically disadvantaged businesses.

By making these investments while holding the line on taxes and preserving the Commonwealth’s emergency reserves, this budget demonstrates that fiscal responsibility and meaningful progress can go hand in hand. It reflects the belief that government should work for the people it serves by addressing real needs today while safeguarding Pennsylvania’s financial future.

While I am proud of what we accomplished, I also recognize there is unfinished business. I remain committed to securing sustainable funding for mass transit and raising Pennsylvania’s minimum wage. Reliable public transportation connects people to jobs, schools, and essential services, while a fair minimum wage helps working families keep pace with the rising cost of living. I will continue advocating for both because they remain critical to building a stronger and more equitable Pennsylvania.

That same commitment to investing in our future is reflected in another exciting announcement for Pittsburgh.

More than $29.35 million in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grants have been awarded to transformative projects throughout my legislative district, including here in the Northside. These investments will support affordable housing, neighborhood revitalization, education, economic development, arts and culture, and critical community infrastructure.

Taken together, these projects represent far more than bricks and mortar. They represent new opportunities for residents, businesses, students and families throughout our community.

These projects will create construction jobs in the near term while laying the groundwork for long-term economic growth and an even stronger Pittsburgh. They will make our neighborhoods more vibrant, our public spaces more welcoming, and our communities more connected.

The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program exists to help communities undertake projects that might otherwise never become reality. Whether revitalizing business districts, preserving cultural landmarks, creating affordable housing, or expanding educational opportunities, these investments have lasting benefits that extend well beyond the construction phase.

When I talk about investing in our future, I’m talking about making decisions that improve everyday life for the people who call our communities home. That means ensuring children have access to quality education, seniors can afford the medications they need, families have safe places to gather, businesses have opportunities to grow, and neighborhoods continue to thrive.

There is always more work to do, but I believe these accomplishments represent meaningful progress. I will continue working with my colleagues to advocate for policies and investments that strengthen our communities, expand opportunities, and ensure every Pennsylvanian has the chance to succeed.

It is an honor to represent the people of Northside, and I remain committed to delivering results that make a lasting difference for our neighborhoods and for the future of Pittsburgh.

Last month, the 2026-27 state budget was passed and signed into law. Pennsylvanians continue to work hard, while the cost of living becomes increasingly more difficult to afford. This year’s budget prioritized affordability, investments in education, safe communities, and innovative economic development opportunities, all while making sure to keep money in the pockets of Pennsylvanians.

One of the most notable wins is the continued efforts on the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit program. Nearly $200 million is going back to 950,000 working families this year alone! Additionally, no new taxes were implemented, keeping the people and businesses we know and love right here where they belong. No budget is ever perfect, and we still have a lot of work to do, but it is proof that meaningful change can occur while looking ahead at what still needs to be done.

As always, if you need any assistance with other state resources, do not hesitate to reach out to our office at (412) 781-2750 or email RepPowell@pahouse. net. My team also has office hours from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the second floor of the Shaler Municipal Building every Thursday.

Be well, Lindsay Powell

That’s why so many people are asking the same question: Will the second half of the year be any better for the housing market?

While nobody has a crystal ball, there are a few encouraging signs things could start moving in a better direction. Here’s what to watch.

Mortgage Rates Could Be Near a Turning Point

One of the biggest reasons mortgage rates haven’t come down yet is inflation. And higher energy prices and uncertainty overseas are at least part of the reason inflation is still elevated. The encouraging news? Oil prices have already started coming back down.

That may not sound like it has much to do with buying a home. But historically, mortgage rates and oil prices tend to move in the same direction.

Take a look at the graph below. Generally, they rise and fall together. Both went up in February when the conflict began. While there’s been some volatility lately, experts at the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) say oil prices are forecast to come down. And since oil prices have been on an overall downward trend lately, mortgage rates could come down too: It’s too soon to say exactly when that will happen (or by how much they’ll fall), but if energy prices go down, inflation cools off, and tensions overseas ease, mortgage rates could come down in the second half of the year.

And that’s good news for anyone thinking about moving. The first half of the year tested everyone’s patience. The second half may finally reward it.

Home Prices Could Pick Back Up

A lot of people want home prices to fall too. But that’s not what most forecasts show.

While price trends are going to vary by area, and some places are seeing mild declines, experts still expect home prices to net positive this year at the national level.

In fact, they’re projecting prices will rise by an average of 2.3% in 2026 (see graph below): What does that mean for you? Right now, Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA)data shows prices are up about 1.7% nationally year-over-year. The average forecast for all of 2026? 2.3%.

Based on those projections, home price growth would have to pick up a bit during the second half of the year. Nothing dramatic, just enough to finish the year around that projected 2.3% gain.

Here’s why that’s possible.

The number of homes for sale has grown, but that growth may be starting to slow down.

And if rates improve, more buyers could jump back into the market. More buyers competing could put modest upward pressure on prices, especially if inventory’s not growing as fast.

That’s why buyers shouldn’t assume waiting will guarantee a lower price later. And for sellers, that’s great news if you’ve been worried about your home’s value.

More Homes Are Expected To Sell

If you’ve been wondering why the housing market has felt quieter lately, you’re not imagining it. Home sales have been slower than many experts expected. But that doesn’t mean people have stopped wanting to move.

A lot of people still want or need to make a change. They’ve just been waiting for more certainty, better affordability, or a clearer read on where the market is headed. And early signs show that may be on the horizon.

If rates ease and confidence improves, more people may finally move. As Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist at First American, explains:

“Overall, we expect pent-up demand to continue emerging gradually. But the pace of recovery will vary significantly across markets and will depend on the path of rates, labor market conditions and inventory growth.”

Based on the latest forecasts, to hit the number of sales expected this year, here’s what would have to happen. The second half of the year would need to outperform the first in sales (see graph below): In fact, each month for the rest of 2026 would have to come close to matching the best month we’ve had so far this year (May). That’s a sign the experts are calling for more momentum headed into the second half.

More people will finally make their move happen – and you’ve got the chance to be one of them.

Bottom Line The second half of the year probably won’t be perfect. But it could be better.

Mortgage rates may ease. Home sales could pick up. And prices are expected to continue rising at a healthier, more sustainable pace. If you’ve been waiting for signs of progress, this is it.

If you want to understand what these forecasts mean for your plans and what’s happening in our local market, let’s connect. n

According to John Canning, president of the Allegheny City Society, in 1787 the Northside was first surveyed by the Pennsylvania Assembly. Within the same year the hills beyond the Allegheny and Ohio rivers’ flat floodplains (now Perry Hilltop, Fineview, and their surrounding neighborhoods) were divided into multi-acre farms.

These farms were mostly populated by rich families in “country-like estates” on the hills above city property. Other families in the area settled along main thoroughfares, like Federal Street and Perrysville Avenue.

Federal Street which was known outside of the city as Franklin Road or the Venango Trail, eventually bled into Perrysville Avenue. The settlement of Perrysville was named in honor of U.S. Naval commander, Oliver Hazzard Perry.

Federal Street and Perrysville Avenue proved to be a major roadway, connecting both the northern and southern portions of Allegheny County with Pittsburgh city limits. Presently, it serves as the dividing line between Perry Hilltop and Fineview.

In 1828, the Order of St. Clare created a young women’s school and convent in the hills.

“Although the nuns left the area before the formation of Allegheny City in 1840,” Canning said. “The term ‘Nunnery Hill’ was often used to identify the neighborhood that is presently called Fineview.”

“The prominent landowning families on both sides of Perrysville Road began to have their acreage surveyed and subdivided into small plots for residential development,” Canning said. Canning acknowledged that majority of these subdivisions began occurring after the Civil War.

From 1875 to 1900, the McClintock, Darlington, McNaugther, and Pusey families in PerryHilltop along with the Andrews, Bells, Hay, and Henderson families in Fineview, turned their large farms into apartment buildings and houses for working-middle class families employed in Pittsburgh’s businesses, factories, and mills.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, electric trolley lines and inclined planes like the famous ‘Nunnery Hill Incline’ were installed in Perry Hilltop, Fineview, and their surrounding neighborhoods making commuting easier for middle class families living in the area.

The trolley lines connected both Perry Hilltop and Fineview to the neighborhoods around them; significantly connecting both areas to Allegheny City’s commercial center as well as Riverview Park.

As the 20th Century continued, Perry Hilltop and Fineview proved to be self-sustaining, even through the Depression and WWII. Residents of both neighborhoods lived, socialized, and shopped within their respective areas.

“It’s not surprising that, in 1908, the trustees of the Western University of Pennsylvania [now, the University of Pittsburgh] decided to move their institution from the center of Pittsburgh to a site nearby the Allegheny Observatory, at the crest of Perry Hilltop,” said Canning.

However after World War II, modern transportation evolved, highways began to crop up leading to large suburban developments outside of the city. Residents of Perry Hilltop and Fineview began buying houses outside the reaches of Pittsburgh and cars to get them there, leaving their old homes in states of disrepair.

Perry Hilltop and Fineview’s populations dropped greatly, according to Canning.

Now, in coordination with the city’s North Side redevelopment plans, Perry Hilltop and Fineview are beginning to form new partnerships, new pathways to downtown and are effectively recreating themselves.

In the winter of last year, the Fineview Citizen’s Council (FCC) and the Perry Hilltop Citizen’s Council (PHCC) began working together. Their decision to coalesce was in large part because of the redevelopment of Allegheny Dwellings, a public housing complex on Fineview’s Belleau Drive.

“Allegheny Dwellings is the largest development our communities have seen in many years,” said FCC and PHCC program manager, Joanna Deming. “We joined together to make sure the redevelopment has the [most positive] possible impact on our community and that residents are protected in the process.”

Allegheny Dwellings’ 271 existing housing units are slated to be torn down and replaced with both onsite (in Fineview) and off-site (in Perry Hilltop and Charles Street Valley) housing units, over the next several years. Developers are planning to provide offsite units as supplementary housing for those currently living in Allegheny Dwellings once the housing complex is demolished.

Faced with these changing developments in both of their neighborhoods and lacking the capacity to approach them separately, the PHCC and FCC formed a partnership.

“Perry Hilltop and Fineview [also] came together because their constituents have a lot in common, they share goals and demographics,” Deming said.

With the creation of their new partnership, the PHCC and the FCC fundraised to create two-full time staff positions, one of which Deming fills. The other position, Community Engagement Coordinator, is occupied by fellow Perry Hilltop resident Zeba Ahmed.

The two citizen councils have also begun hosting monthly meetings in order to create a comprehensive, constituent- driven community plan that will ensure an informed joint-vision for the neighborhood’s’ future developments and goals.

“[These meetings] are to make sure that as we improve we are being inclusive, keeping long-term residents in mind, and making sure everyone can live and thrive in our neighborhoods,” Deming said. The meetings cover a wide arrange of issues ranging from public safety, real estate and housing, economic development to mobility/transportation and open spaces.

“[At every meeting] speakers come to share information on the topic [at hand],” said Deming, “Then, the community comes together to decide what they want to do.”

The FCC and the PHCC are also working to create a concrete symbol of their new partnership: The Unity Corner.

A mosaic-mural gateway sign and parklet, The Unity Corner will be constructed on the border between Perry Hilltop and Fineview the intersection of Perrysville Avenue and Federal Street.

The FCC and the PHCC have already partnered with students from the Pittsburgh Project, artist Linda Wallen, and arts educator Sandy Kessler Kaminski to create the three-paneled welcome sign.

Kaminski and Wallen act as guides for the students who in turn created the intricate mosaic. The piece features landmarks from both Perry Hilltop and Fineview, like the Allegheny Observatory and the Fineview streetcar.

Prior to the mural’s creation, students went on historic walking tours around the neighborhoods with the Allegheny City Society and talked to elder residents from both Perry Hilltop and Fineview for inspiration and historic understanding.

In addition, the FCC and the PHCC are currently working to complete multiple green space areas and mural projects. One is the Unity Corner’s accompanying parklet, which will have a stone walk way, benches, and a table along with restoring the Corner of Hope.

Originally constructed 20 years ago, the Corner of Hope consists of nine murals and parklet which pay homage to the Negro League had fallen into a state of disrepair until students from The Pittsburgh Project intervened with the help of Kaminski. Each of the nine panels features a Pittsburgh player from the Negro League and one of his famous quotations.

“It was a good way to bring people together, to get them involved, and to show people that we are doing things, that change can happen here,” Ahmed said of the project and Perry Hilltop.

“People will say, meet by the baseball murals,” Ahmed said. “It’s cool to have created a landmark, and to have done it through the power of the community.”

Ansel “Meditation” Cridland and his band The Meditations are the headlining act at this year’s Reggae at Riverview, which will take place Aug. 1 from noon to 8 p.m. at the Valley Refuge Center. Cridland is the sole surviving founding member of The Meditations, a reggae band which has performed since 1974 and has even sung backing vocals in songs by Bob Marley.

“It’s really exciting to have them coming this year as the headliner,” Maskol said, noting the band is perhaps most well known for their 1983 album “No More Friend.”

Maskol said the rest of the lineup for the festival is also “stacked” with top tier talent. He gave special mention to a last-minute addition of Yaadcore, a newer reggae artist Maskol was able to book after seeing a show and being impressed.

As mentioned, this is the sixth year of Reggae at Riverview, an event Maskol started simply as a way to cheer people up during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the festival has grown, notably gaining a large stage in 2025.

Maskol has been very happy with how his festival has expanded, even as he has found the growth surprising. He said Pittsburgh is “overseen on the national tour scene” and it’s even more surreal to book major acts to perform not at major city venues like Stage AE, but right in Riverview Park.

He hasn’t been able to get that growth on his own. Maskol thanked the partnerships of Friends of Riverview Park and Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy for supporting the event since its early days. He also is happy to have the City of Pittsburgh, who became a “big partner” last year and is continuing this year.

In addition to the performances, vendors and Ja- maican cuisine, Maskol said this year’s festival will have representatives from numerous community groups, who will be providing services or hands-on activities for kids as a newer part of the festival.

Maskol also thanked Observatory Hill resident Frank Dreyer, who has served as the graphic designer for Reggae at Riverview’s marketing and helped in nailing down the theme for this year. Maskol said the 2026 festival is highlighting the natural inhabitants of Riverview Park as a way to give greater attention to the natural environment of the festival.

“We have a mission now,” he said, “and it’s to bring people together to celebrate unity and community through the love of reggae music and discover the beauty of Riverview Park.”

As always, the event is totally free and open to the public. Maskol is asking that attendees try to either carpool, bike or hike to the festival, as parking is limited. He’s hoping the newly rebuilt Davis Avenue Pedestrian Bridge will help to make those latter two options easier for reggae fans.

“I rode my bike from Central Northside up to Brighton Heights and then took the Davis Avenue Bridge into the park, and it’s amazing how it connects the community to the park,” he said.

For more information about Reggae at Riverview, check out the event’s Facebook page, at facebook.com/p/Reggae-At-Riverview-2026-61561914376986/

Fineview
Estate of Robert Matthews Dixon to Devlinc Inc. at 2100 Federal Street Ext. for $155,000.

Historic Deutschtown
Daniel Bobovnyik to William Francis Sarro Jr. and Clara De Andrade Graciano Humberg at 1202 James St. for $425,000.

Marshall-Shadeland
Amber Kotari Imam to MS Capital Group Pittsburgh LLC at 10 Courtright St. for $1 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $29,000).
Real Deals LLC to Central Florida Income Fund LLC at 3124 Frederick St. for $60,000 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $180,000) by sheriff's deed.

Perry Hilltop
Estate of Harry McKinley to Sean Link at 1977 Federal Street Ext. for $155,000.
Rosalie Wisniewski to Chad Minton at 409 Bark St. for $60,000 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $180,000) by sheriff's deed.
Grey Steel City LLC to Hoan Nhut Do Tan at 2917 N Charles St. for $65,000.

Spring Garden
Cynthia Boles to Jason Weaver at 1843 Spring Garden Ave. for $85,000.

Spring Hill
Katherine Crystal Smith Sinagra to Deborah McNier at 54 Woessner Ave. for $1 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $35,200).

Summer Hill
Joanne Schmidt to Hsuan Yu and Yi Ching Lin at 4642 Mt. Troy Road Ext. for $295,000.

Troy Hill
Victoria Stephen to Michael Weleski and Donato Demarco at 1833-1835 Ley St. for $420,000.
Louis Testoni to Cesare and Ann Marie Donatelli Frepoli at 79 Waterfront Drive for $1,100,000.

Real Estate Transactions provided by <RealSTATs>.  Contact <RealSTATs> at 412-381-3880 or visit www.RealSTATs.net.

This retail use cannot be located within 1,000 feet of any elementary school or secondary school, it cannot be open between the hours of 11 p.m. and 9 a.m., and it cannot provide self-service sales. A map that shows the 1,000-foot buffer and the zoning districts where vape shops are permitted and not permitted can be found here: arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/1e6a861cf90844f-1bee250d51bf02655.

This legislation prohibits new vape shops from opening in Downtown and all residentially zoned districts. As we continue to invest in Downtown’s recovery, it’s important that we are intentional about the types of uses we encourage in the heart of our city.

I want to thank my fellow co-sponsors, Council President R. Daniel Lavelle (District 6), Councilperson Bob Charland (District 3), Councilperson Erika Strassburger (District 8), the Zoning Department, and the many stakeholders who have supported this bill since it was introduced last year. I believe this bill will have a positive impact on our neighborhoods.

It’s my pleasure to also share that the City of Pittsburgh and Reading Ready Pittsburgh recently announced the expansion of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library with the goal of signing up 65% of eligible children in the City of Pittsburgh. This expansion effort is made possible with a $1.8 million investment over the next five years from the Benter Foundation. Three years ago, after an unfortunate pause in the program, my office worked with Reading Ready Pittsburgh, the Dollywood Foundation, and the Benter Foundation to relaunch the program, which provides free books to kids from 0-5 years old, and to hire someone to administer the program within Council.

The program will now be administered by the Office of Community Affairs under Mayor O’Connor’s administration. I’m thrilled to see this program expand, as all children in the City deserve free, quality, diverse books, mailed directly to their homes. I know my children benefited greatly from this and I encourage you to spread the word to everyone you know. Sign up is easy and can be done here: readingreadypittsburgh.org/dpil.

As of this article, my office has conducted six neighborhood walkthroughs in Spring Hill, Observatory Hill, Spring Garden, Fineview, Central Northside, and Troy Hill which have been well-received and highly successful. The goal of these onsite visits is to identify immediate issues that we can resolve quickly, while also discussing larger, long-term issues that will take more time. We’ve identified over 270 immediate issues including weeds and overgrowth, broken railings, abandoned vehicles, clogged catch basins, unkempt utility lines, illegal dumping, and many more, of which 30% have already been addressed. I’m grateful to all the representatives from the city departments who show up each month, listen to community members, and take immediate action, when possible, to address these issues. I look forward to resolving more of these items and for our upcoming visits to the remaining District 1 neighborhoods.

Finally, Love Your Block, a City of Pittsburgh program that brings neighbors together to improve our communities by combating blight, creating assets, and building resilience, block by block, is now accepting applications until July 15. Community organizations across Pittsburgh are invited to apply for $500 and $1,000 grants, and a limited number could qualify for a $1,500 grant. These grants will function as a reimbursement. Examples of successful projects include community garden maintenance / improvements, artistic board-ups, tree and flower planting, and beautification projects involving a parcel of land owned by the City or the community group applying for the grant.

More details on the program and to apply can be found here: pittsburghpa.gov/Resident-Services/Community-Programming/Love-Your-Block.

If you have any questions or concerns, call us at (412) 255-2135, email us at district1@pittsburghpa. gov, find us on Facebook and X, and sign up for our newsletter (pittsburghpa.gov/City-Government/ City-Council/Districts/Bobby-Wilson-District-1). My staff and I look forward to hearing from you!

In 2016, the Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) CREATE Lab, with support from the Heinz Endowments, launched Smell Pittsburgh, a free app that enables residents to report foul smells in the air and what symptoms they are experiencing as a result. The goal? To give researchers a way to track air pollution in Pittsburgh and surrounding areas, and how it travels.

Now, 10 years later, the app is still up and running, and has proven a valuable tool for environmental advocacy.

“It’s been a real success,” said Phil Johnson, senior program director for climate, environment and health at Heinz Endowments. “I think (the app’s longevity) reflects the nature of long-term problems and challenges. It’s not a simple thing to address chronic sources of pollution in an urban area.”

The app enables users to rank the air on a 1-to-5 scale, with 1 being the best quality and 5 being the worst. In addition, the users can describe the smell, mention any symptoms they are experiencing as a result — such as headaches, sore throats or eye irritation — and mark their location where they experienced the smell. The app then produces a map of the city, showing all of the reports for any given day, showing how dispersed bad smells are over the area.

Ana Hoffman, Air Quality Program Director at the CMU CREATE Lab, said that “crowd sourced accounts are something that environmental justice advocates have long sought,” so there was much anticipation over the app’s launch. However, the lab was “amazed” at how much Smell Pittsburgh took off and its continued usage throughout the years.

Hoffman does admit Smell Pittsburgh doesn’t get the same amount of usage these days as it did at launch, but she sees that as a sign that it is serving its function.

“We’re really happy to see that less people need to use the app, because in many ways, 10 years of air quality advocacy has yielded changes,” she said.

“I will be very, very happy if some day the Smell Pittsburgh app is not needed,” she said later.

Climate agencies have used data from Smell Pittsburgh, including a study done by the Allegheny County Health Department looking into Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) exceedances. An exceedance, as it applies in this case, is whenever the level of exposure to certain emissions exceeds safe limits, leading to potential health problems and even death.

Johnson called the app a “communication tool” that gets air quality data out to a variety of sources, helping to shape air cleanliness efforts.

“It communicates to decision makers and policy makers, air quality regulators and academics,” he said. “It also communicates across society. It’s civic communication.”

Hoffman has found the app’s success to be a source of hope by showing how much people care about the issues of air quality and a drive to see it fixed.

“I feel hopeful about the way that the app has drawn attention to symptoms that people experience from air pollution,” she said. “I feel hopeful about the way people feel entitled about clean air and clean water. It really does actually feel hopeful for the future.”

The Smell Pittsburgh app can be downloaded through either the Apple App Store or Google Play store for free. For more information, or to view the reporting map, visit smellpgh.org.