The Riverlife Task Force received a $100,000 grant from the NiSource Charitable Foundation to advance the design and development of the South Shore Riverfront Park, a large green space that will be part of Three Rivers Park, a grand urban-scale riverfront park that extends nearly 10 miles around the central business district on the Monongahela, Allegheny and Ohio rivers in Pittsburgh.

Plans for South Shore Riverfront Park include river trails, a landing for passenger vessels and water taxis, a performance venue, a water feature using artifacts from the original LTV site and river overlooks.

Once a symbol of Pittsburgh’s industrial heritage and prosperity, the former mill site sat idle for years, but is now enjoying a rebirth as a growing new neighborhood. The South Side Works development plan, which has been advanced by the Urban Redevelopment Authority since 1993, demonstrates progressive smart growth principles and has been recognized by the EPA and state government for brownfield redevelopment and an open space strategy that will enhance economic growth and the quality of life for everyone in the community.

Earlier this spring, over 30 attendees including the South Side Local Development Corp., Green Building Alliance, City Planning, the Urban Redevelopment Authority, the departments of Conservation & Natural Resources and Environmental Protection participated in a design charette hosted by the Heinz Endowments. State grants totaling $345,000 have been committed to the project.

The NiSource Charitable Foundation partners with NiSource's operating companies to seek community investment initiatives that have a direct impact in the communities served by NiSource companies and that focus on education, the environment, economic development, human services and/or public safety.

5/13/2005