Blog
Getting around with POGOH bikeshare is about to be easier than ever.
At their 2023 Community Coalition meeting, POGOH shared preliminary expansion plans for 2023—22 new stations, with several planned for Oakland.
While these locations are pending final approval, we’re excited for greater density in the bikeshare network, reduced traffic congestion, and improved air quality.
Think they’re still missing a great spot for a station? You can recommend one.
Three of the four new CLT homes on Frazier Street; Lanita Lee, new homeowner on Frazier Street, with her husband
OPDC’s mission is to build a better Oakland and help neighbors thrive. In the case of the four new Oakland Community Land Trust (CLT) houses we built on Frazier Street, that mission is literal.
“We’re thrilled to be building new homes and introducing new neighbors to South Oakland,” says Andrea Boykowycz, OPDC Interim Director. “The CLT will ensure these houses remain affordable and owner-occupied in perpetuity.”
OPDC began the Oakland CLT in 2018 with just two houses. Now we have almost 20. With each new house, the CLT offers a chance for homeowners to build equity, while preserving opportunities for future homebuyers through community control of the land.
Lanita Lee had been renting in the Hill District while working in Oakland at Magee Women’s Hospital for the past eight years. This April, she and her family joined the South Oakland community as first-time homeowners of one of the new-construction houses.
Check out our video tour!
“It feels great. It’s a beautiful home,” says Lee, whose purchase was made possible by a Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) grant, through a program developed by OPDC.
Camille Dixon, OPDC’s community services director, worked closely with Lee to mend credit, reduce debt, and secure the support she needed. “We help applicants understand the funding and qualifications for affordable homes and the best options we have for them,” says Dixon.
Special thanks to the Oakland Development Fund, URA, WesBanco, PHARE, FHLB, Shape Development, and Pfaffmann and Associates for making this project possible.
From top left, clockwise: Eric Macadangdang, Teireik Williams, Tara Sherry-Torres, Dawn Seckler
OPDC is delighted to introduce our new board members and officers (new members noted with an asterisk [*]):
President—Eric Macadangdang
Vice President—Teireik Williams
Treasurer—Dawn Seckler
Secretary—Tara Sherry-Torres*
Jeremy Carter*
Beatrice Charles
Lezetta Cox*
Jonathan Kline*
Jodi Lincoln*
Janice Markowitz
Randy Sargent
Kathryn Wakefield*
We’re thrilled to be working with this special group of experienced leaders to build a better Oakland and help neighbors thrive. Welcome aboard!
When the community comes together for a common purpose, it’s a beautiful thing.
On Saturday, April 15, Oakland residents and Pitt students and staff joined a tree planting organized by OPDC, the University of Pittsburgh, and Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.
38 volunteers got to learn about native trees and get their hands dirty, planting 15 trees during the Saturday event. Seven trees were planted the day prior by WPC for a total of 22 new Oakland trees.
Oakland is sorely lacking in tree canopy and is considered a tree canopy hotspot among Pittsburgh neighborhoods. Through events like this, we’re doing our part to deliver on the goals of the Oakland Plan, which defines trees as vital infrastructure.
Want to see the smiles a tree can bring? Check out our video from the day.
We have some sad news, Oakland.
On Tuesday night last week, there was a fire at an Oakcliffe home that severely damaged both of its 2-bedroom rental units. The structure is still standing, but the interior is a charred mess.
The tenants of both units are safe, and we luckily have temporary housing to offer them.
If you’d like to help, you can donate to ODPC via our website. At the least, we hope this can be a PSA to all Oakland renters to carry renters’ insurance.
Thank you and stay safe, Oakland!
Six newly remodeled 2-bedroom homes in South Oakland.