ELLIOTT A HOLISTIC STUDY of the physical and aesthetic DETAILS, CHARACTERISTICS, AND INTERVENTIONS Department of Landscape Architecture College of Arts and Architecture The Pennsylvania State University Landscape Architecture 414 Professor Ken Tamminga November 17, 2010 PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLANIA the neighborhood with a view. that will provide support in the effort to INCREASE SOCIAL CAPITAL AND TRANSFORM ELLIOTT DEMOGRAPHICS ELLIOTT WEST PITTSBURGH POPULATION TREND ::: 1940-2000 10,000 9,000 8,000 TOTAL POPULATION 7,000 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 DECADE ELLIOTT - 54% CRAFTON HEIGHTS 6% SHERADAN - 46% PITTSBURGH - 33% WEST PITTSBURGH RACE ELLIOTT SHERADAN 81% WHITE 78% WHITE CRAFTON HEIGHTS PITTSBURGH 72% WHITE 62% WHITE WEST PITTSBURGH HOUSEHOLDS (IN RELATION TO POP) 65% FAMILY 35% CHILDREN <18 67% 61% 32% 36% WEST PITTSBURGH HOUSING VACANCY 13% 7.5% 9.5% 13% ELLIOTT CRAFTON HEIGHTS SHERADAN PITTSBURGH WEST PITTSBURGH EDUCATION WITH COLLEGE DEGREES ELLIOTT 7% CRAFTON HEIGHTS 14% SHERADAN PITTSBURGH 12% 26% 30% 20% 10% 0% LESS THAN 9TH GRADE 40% 9-12 GRADE (NO DIPLOMA) HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE SOME. COLLEGE (NO DEGREE) ASSOCIATE DEGREE BACHELOR DEGREE GRADUATE DEGREEE BACHELOR DEGREEE (OR MORE) WEST PITTSBURGH 414 STUDIO SITES.25x.50x.75x Average 1.5x 2x 2.5x 3x 3.5x WEST PITTSBURGH HOUSING OWNER OCCUPANCY ELLIOTT CRAFTON HEIGHTS SHERADAN 66% 68% 57% PITTSBURGH 52% CONCLUSIONS CHANGE. CHANGE is the most notable statistic. Unfortunately, it is not the kind of change you like to see. However, opportunity exists to look past statistical date and make real change. Change can also go the other direction. It just takes time and effort. HISTORY HISTORY OF ELLIOTT. AS TOLD BY NORENE M BEATTY Elliott is the hill that is located on the western side of Saw Mill Run Creek where it empties into the Ohio River. Mountain Washington is on the left side of Saw Mill Run Creek. At the top of the hill in Elliott is the finest view of Pittsburgh. You are looking directly at the confluence of the Allegheny and Mongehala Rivers that form the Ohio River. From this very vantage point the Indians could see any movement on all three rivers flowing downstream. Beneath the crest of the overlook were caves and paths where some Indian relics were said to have been found. Elliott received its name in the time period between 1825 and 1830 because the area was owned by West Elliott. Some would continue to call the area River Hill while others would refer to it as Elliott s Delight. Yet, there were those who stayed, who watched the house next door change from proud ownership to absentee landlord and tenants who seemed not to care. It was the dreams and determination of these staunch believers in Elliott that in the 1990 they began to plan and to work for renewal in Elliott. In 1994 they developed and idea if they could refurbish and bring attention of the city and others to their community and its assets it would bring a renewal. So with hard work they were able to have the overlook at the top of Lorenz Avenue off Rue Grand Vue refurbished. Through this portal where Saw Mill Run Creek flows into the Ohio River three very important roads began. The plank road to Washington, Pennsylvania up what is now called Green Tree Road, Noblestown Plank Road also leading towards Washington County and Steubenville Pike. Steubenville Pike is now know as Steuben Street and went to Fort Steuben and on to the Northwest Territory. Steubenville Pike cuts through Elliott climbing the steep backside of the hill. When England surveyed this area it would become part of Saint Clair Township. Trails were replaced by roads and later streets. Many of those early roads and streets received their names name s from land owners. Elliott Street which marks the beginning of the community and runs parallel to Steuben Street was named after West Elliott. Lorenz Avenue that became the center of Elliott running down the back of the hill from the top was named after the proprietors of the glass works in Old West Pittsburgh Borough, near the Point Bridge, which was later replaced by the Fort Pitt Bridge. Lorenz Avenue and Chartiers Avenue became the main arteries of Elliott... The 1960 saw the decline in small business in the community as people rushed to the shopping centers and malls. The mom and pop stores could not compete with the big grocery chain stores. The two drug stores on the corners of Lorenz Avenue and Chartiers were forced out of business by the chain pharmacies and insurance companies that dictated where patients had their prescription filled. Slowly the lights went out in the stores and little lunch counters. Changes in the public schools, lost of industry with in the area and the rush to suburbia all took their toll on Elliott. Through the endeavors of the West End Elliott Citizens Council and others of Elliott they continue to work on plans and dreams to not only rebuild Elliott but to build a better Elliott for today and the future. Our history is an ongoing history of change... COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THE QUOTEABLE ELLIOTT OUR COMMUNITY HAS CHANGED AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE GOING TO RESPECT OUR HISTORY, BUT WE KNOW WE HAVE TO LOOK TO THE FUTURE. I LOVE THIS AREA. THE OVEROOK IS BEAUTIFUL WE ARE STILL A CLOSE COMMUNITY. WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER AN ASSET? ST. MARTIN S CEMETARY WOODED AREA TRADITIONAL HOUSING CHARTIERS / LORENZ OVERLOOK PARK WOODED AREA GREAT VIEWS