In 2008, the city of Pittsburgh will celebrate its 250th birthday. The $1 million Community Connections program was created to celebrate this noteworthy birthday through supporting programs highlighting the "Pride and Progress" throughout 14 counties of the Southwestern Pennsylvania region. This quite competitive process saw 540 project proposals received for funding, with 100 being chosen (http://www.imaginepittsburgh.com).
We were extremely grateful for receiving this funding of $5,000 to support the work being done by the Millvale Library project in conjunction with the borough of Millvale and the Shaler School District. The New Sun Rising will also contribute $1,000 to support these efforts. This funding will directly support the transformation of an unused lot in the heart of the Millvale business district, into community green space on Grant Avenue. Work on the GAPP (Grant Avenue Pocket Park) will be completed in 2008 and the space will provide a gathering space for residents and shoppers, host community and artistic events, all while acting as a visual representation of Millvale's continued revitalization. Stay tuned for progress, and be sure to stop down this fall to see the organic, iron fence and gate being created by some of Millvale's community-minded artists at Red Star Ironworks (www.redstarironworks.com).
