Friday, May 17, 2013
Local business owners say the construction frustration has been worth it, and they’re looking forward to the next phase of work.
Customers in the 700 and 800 blocks of Brookline Boulevard can now walk on solid ground when they visit their favorite businesses. Sidewalks were poured in front of several businesses Wednesday and Thursday, and although a chain link fence still separates the storefronts from the road, business owners said there are unmistakable signs of progress. “It’s so nice to walk on real ground,” said Ben Haake, co-owner of Cannon Coffee. “The planting beds are going in, and we know there are benches on the way. It’s been fun to watch all this. It really is like a facelift.” The Brookline Boulevard Reconstruction Project, which started in March, already has been a long process for those living through it, and some businesses owners worried that the …
Friday, April 26, 2013
The Brookline Chamber of Commerce is inviting residents to support local businesses with a bar crawl today, Friday, April 26.
The Brookline Chamber of Commerce is inviting residents and friends—age 21 and older—to have a drink for a cause. The Chamber will host the "Because You're Mine, I Walk the Line" bar crawl today, Friday, April 26, starting at 8 p.m., to support Boulevard bars and restaurants while they currently are affected by construction. To read more about the Brookline Boulevard Reconstruction Project, click here. The schedule is as follows: Participants will pay for their drinks at each bar, but there is no charge to take part in the event. More information is available on the "Because You're Mine, I Walk the Line" Brookline Bar Crawl Facebook page. Follow Dormont-Brookline Patch on Facebook and Twitter. For more news, sign up for our email …
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Here's where you can park—and where you can't—for the week of March 4 through March 9. These restrictions are subject to change.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Erin Faulk
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Thursday, March 7
With construction underway on Brookline Boulevard, several local businesses are affected and several parking areas are restricted. Parking is not allowed in front of storefronts in the 500, 600, and 800 blocks of Brookline Boulevard. On-street parking is available in the 700 and 900 blocks, and the parking garage at Mazza Pavilion is open to the public. The parking meters do need to be paid, as ticketing will continue. Businesses in restricted blocks also are "behind the barrier"—a chain link fence separates them from the road. However, these businesses are still open, and most are keeping normal business hours. This affects the following businesses in the 500 and 600 blocks of Brookline Boulevard: It also affects these businesses, in the …
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
The first day of construction was basically stress-free business owners said, regardless of the fencing outside many stores.
The much-anticipated Brookline Boulevard Reconstruction Project began Monday, and despite the fencing and barriers, Boulevard shops are open for business. Construction starts at the intersection of Brookline Boulevard and Pioneer Avenues, and extends beyond the Pitaland storefront. The construction scene, with chain-link fences and cement barriers in front of many stores, looks a bit intimidating, but Geekadrome owner Paul Drabick said he’s not worried about his business. “I know some customers will probably end up not coming in as frequently, but I think most will probably just park down the street and walk a little further,” he said. Drabick said Michael Facchiano Contracting is allowing him to hang a banner on the chain-link fence …
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Brookline residents shared ideas for supporting Boulevard businesses at Monday’s meeting. Which ideas do you like best?
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Erin Faulk
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Thursday, February 14
Brookline residents met earlier this week to discuss something that will soon affect everyone in the community—the Brookline Boulevard Reconstruction Project. Residents shared ideas for helping keep people on the Boulevard and shopping, even when construction barriers and make-shift sidewalks create a challenge. The Brookline Chamber of Commerce has $5,000 set aside for one or more initiatives to support the business district during the project. Ideas included holding more Boulevard Pub Crawls. Chamber member Nathan Mallory said pub crawls bring as much as $1,500 extra revenue to each business visited. Others suggested revamping the Shop the Line program, greater distribution of The Brookline newsletter, and asking contractors to eat and …
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Brookline residents attended a meeting Monday about the Boulevard Reconstruction Project. Members of the Brookline Chamber of Commerce answered many of their questions, and more answers are on the way.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Erin Faulk
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Tuesday, February 12
About 50 Brookline residents gathered Monday at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church Monday to discuss the Brookline Boulevard Reconstruction Project and, mainly, to share ideas about how to support local businesses during construction. But several residents had questions about the project in general, and members of the Brookline Chamber of Commerce provided answers where they could. Construction timeframes, parking, traffic flow, bus routes and more were topics of discussion. Lois McCafferty and Nathan Mallory, both of the Brookline Chamber of Commerce, were able to provide the following answers: Unfortunately, many more answers are yet to come. Design plans are finalized and the project is scheduled to begin this spring, but a construction …
Residents are invited to attend meetings of all neighborhood organizations. Do you know when they are?
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Erin Faulk
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Tuesday, February 12
Brookline has several community organizations, and you’re invited to attend the monthly meetings for all of them. Attending meetings is a great way to know what’s happening in the neighborhood, and they could become even more important sources of information after the Brookline Boulevard Reconstruction Project begins in March. Here’s the monthly meeting schedule: Click the highlighted links for more information about each organization. Follow Dormont-Brookline Patch on Facebook and Twitter. For more news, sign up for our email Newsletter.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Brookline residents are welcome to attend today's meeting to discuss how to support local businesses during the upcoming Boulevard Reconstruction Project.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Erin Faulk
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Monday, February 11
Brookline residents are invited to attend a public meeting tonight to discuss how the community can help and support local businesses during the upcoming Brookline Boulevard Reconstruction project. The goal of the meeting is to work out a “reconstruction readiness” plan that will lessen the negative impact of construction on local businesses. The Boulevard Reconstruction Project is scheduled to begin this spring and last through the fall, and prolonged construction could put local businesses at a disadvantage. Plans for the project are finalized, so design plans and future improvements will not be discussed at this meeting. For more information about this meeting, and about the project, click here. If you're going: Follow Dormont-Brookline…
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Residents are invited to a Feb. 11 meeting to share ideas for supporting Brookline Boulevard businesses during reconstruction.
Brookline residents are invited to a Feb. 11 meeting to share ideas for promoting and supporting one of Brookline’s greatest assets—it’s small businesses. The Boulevard Reconstruction Project is scheduled to begin this spring and last through the fall, and prolonged construction could put local businesses at a disadvantage. Brookline Chamber of Commerce members stressed that supporting a “shop local” campaign could be vital to helping small businesses survive, especially when construction is happening right outside their doors. The meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. at St. Marks Lutheran Church on Brookline Boulevard, is intended for residents to discuss ways to promote and support local businesses while the project is underway. Members of the …
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
The Boulevard is about to undergo some big changes.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Erin Faulk
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Wednesday, January 23
Some big changes—and a lot of construction—are coming to Brookline Boulevard this spring. The Brookline Boulevard Reconstruction Project is scheduled to begin in March and wrap up in November. Information and photos of the design plans can be found at the City of Pittsburgh Federal Projects website, or at the Brookline Connection website. Plans include some landscaping, paving and new traffic and pedestrian signals, but when we know changes are coming anyway, it's always fun to dream a bit further. When Dormont-Brookline Patch posted an article last week about funding for the project, it started a conversation about what people want to see on the Boulevard to make it better. Let's keep talking—what's on your wish list for Brookline …
Angela Shame
11:53 am on Friday, April 5, 2013
Very informative. I am enjoying your articles! more ›