South Oakland Update:
February 2010

City Planning Commission testimony - February 2, 2009

I am here to voice opposition to Pitt’s future intention for a 200-bed dormitory expansion into the heart of our community on Oakland Avenue.

For our community this issue is about human dignity. For the University, this issue is about greed and increasing revenue. We urge you to place human dignity as your highest priority.

From the days of the existence of the Syria Mosque, Pitt and UPMC have expanded at will to the detriment of our community’s culture and lifestyle. In this issue, Pitt and UPMC have colluded for each other’s benefit. It is reported that Pitt paid UPMC over $2 million for the property involved in this proposed expansion.

On November 3, 2009, I sent a letter (attached) to Mr. Stephen Tritch, Chairperson of Pitt’s Board of Trustees, and asked him this question: “What are the benefits to the elderly, long-time residents of South Oakland by having a 200-bed expansion of student housing on Oakland Avenue?” He gave no benefits because he refused to answer the letter.

Vice Chancellor G. Reynolds Clark’s only response at a meeting on November 12 was that the expansion will take this property out of the hands of slum landlords.

At a meeting of the Oakland Community Council on December 14, Mr. Eli Shorak’s only response to this question was that it would remove 200 students out of community housing units, and place them under the control of the university. He erroneously implied that these 200 units would then be filled with non-students. The true net effect of this proposed expansion is that we will have 200 additional students in the heart of our community.

He was also asked by a long-time resident:: “When will Pitt’s expansions in our community end?” The insolent response was: “Probably never.”

Here are just a few reasons why this expansion must be rejected:

1) It will have a deleterious impact on an environment which even some students refer to as “ghetto-looking.” I wish to include our Web site www.PittTrash.com as part of this testimony, and urge you to peruse it carefully for it will give you valuable insight into this issue.

2) This expansion will exacerbate the very serious and ever-increasing drinking problems that occur now almost daily, whereby residents have become fearful for their safety.

3) Traffic and parking problems will increase.

Regardless of the present laws, you should demand from Pitt a comprehensive in-depth impact statement on how Pitt’s proposed expansion will affect our community concerning these three important issues.

4) I will provide you with information entitled; “National Disgrace.” Please review it carefully. No administrator at Pitt or UPMC has refuted any facts or figures contained therein.

Pitt has other campuses where they can pursue their expansion plans.

You have the opportunity to initiate a new future for our community by denying the University’s request for expansion. It will take courage and compassion. The good people of South Oakland deserve no less from you.

Here are some future actions our grassroots movement will take:

A) We will continue to call for the resignations of Pitt Chancellor Mark Nordenberg and UPMC CEO Jeffrey Romoff.

B) We will continue to ask the local and national media to initiate in-depth investigations of these two institutions.

C) We will continue protests fronting the Cathedral of Learning, the Chancellor’s residence on Devonshire Street, and UPMC headquarters on Grant Street.

D) We will seek legal help to protect our civil rights as a collective community..

Carlino Giampolo