I got this email this morning. This is a pretty amazing vision for our riverfronts.

“URGENT: Will you please show your support for the countywide riverfront park legislation on or before November 20, 2006?

Last month, Jim Burn, fellow County Council member, and I proposed legislation calling for the creation of a countywide riverfront park. The park would span one side or the other of every one of our major rivers – and would extend from one end of the county to the other. This legislation would authorize the county to finalize the dimensions of the park, and authorize the county to acquire property for the park.

If done right, the park would change the face of Pittsburgh – it would be the longest linear park of its kind in the world – and would substantially contribute to the economic growth and revitalization of our region.

Several sites along our rivers have immediate plans for development that are counter to any kind of comprehensive vision for our riverfronts. For example, in Penn Hills, a prime 15 acre site along a beautiful stretch of the Allegheny River will be developed, next month, as a large self-storage facility unless we act now to authorize the county to acquire the property (the owner would be willing to consider selling his property if it were part of a countywide park).

If you support this legislation, would you please e-mail the County Council by next Monday, November 20? The final bill will be considered by the Council the following day.You can e-mail all County Council members using this address:

council@county.allegheny.pa.us, with a cc to our County Executive, Dan Onorato, at his address: executive@county.allegheny.pa.us

You may also access County Council’s website to find the Council member for your district: www.county.allegheny.pa.us

For your convenience, you may use the draft e-mail below to correspond to Council; although, it would be better if you would express your support in your own words. Also, please forward this email to anyone else who you think may support this bill.

Thanks in advance for your consideration and your willingness to help pass this worthwhile legislation!”

Dave
________________________
Dave Fawcett
At-Large Member
Allegheny County Council
E-mail: david.fawcett@bipc.com