The Left Foot September 19
By Vince Smith, The Left Foot Host
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On this episode of The Left Foot, host Vince Smith is joined by WPTS News Director Matt Singer and Zach Herbster to discuss urban renewal plans for Pittsburgh’s Hill District.
The Hill Districe was once a proud part of the city’s illustrious jazz scene and nightlife. Now, however, the land that Civic Arena once sat on is prime real estate for the city, and most community leaders are in agreement that new housing and businesses could bring hope back to the once vibrant community. But, there’s a difference of opinion on how to best go about these redevelopment plans.
The Pittsburgh Penguins, the outside party that owns the land, is willing to build subsidized housing for those who already live in the area, but also plan to place more emphasis on plush downtown apartments, which could conceivably diversify the area both economically and ethnically.
But, is there a historical precedent to save the Hill District from another botched urban renewal scheme? Is there doubt in regard to the true benefits of such an endeavor? What do these plans mean for the city as a whole? Vince Smith and his guests try to answer these questions in this episode of The Left Foot.
