Member Highlight: Pittsburgh Downtown Community Development Corporation

1. Organization:Pittsburgh Downtown Community Development Corp.
2. Founding Date:Feb. 27, 2012
3. Executive Director:John Valentine
4. Current Staff Size:2 full-time, 2 part-time employees, 5 interns, and volunteers
5. What geographic area do you serve?Pittsburgh’s Greater Downtown Area
6. What is your mission statement?Our mission is to stimulate community development by facilitating residential and retail growth in downtown Pittsburgh.
7. What is one project or program that you are really excited about?We’re most excited about one of our newest projects, Hatch. Hatch is an innovative fundraising program that harnesses small contributions to raise money for small business, nonprofit, environmental, and arts projects that benefit communities in Allegheny County. Hatch is currently the only PDCDC project that serves the entire county and not just the Greater Downtown Area.
8. What are some of your organization’s recent accomplishment?Downtown Grocery Store: Last year, the PDCDC facilitated an agreement between Ralph Falbo, Ernie and Julian Vallozzi and Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation to develop an independent grocery store in Market Square. The grocery store is projected to open in late summer or fall 2014 in the former Thompson Building.Sixth Street Lighting Project: Some of our most recent accomplishments include the Sixth Street Lighting Project, the first phase in a plan to light trees on 6^th, 7^th and 8^th streets in Downtown. Colorful LED lights have already been installed on six trees on 6^th St. across from Heinz Hall.Third Tuesday Happy Hour, Downtown Dining Club, Downtown Book Club, and Downtown Bike Club: Building a sense of community is a core part of the PDCDC’s mission. To help us accomplish this, we’ve started a number of social events and groups for members of the downtown community (this includes everyone who lives, works or plays Downtown, not just residents).Third Tuesday Happy Hour is a casual social event held at a different downtown restaurant each month. The restaurants provide complimentary appetizers and a cash bar.The Dining Club takes participants to a different restaurant each month. The Book Club is a forum for discussion as well as a chance to spotlight local authors. The Bike Club, beginning this spring, provides Downtowners with the opportunity to exercise together, utilizing the fantastic trail systems in the area.

   PDCDC Resident Ambassadors: Each month, a group of volunteer ambassadors representing each residential building meet to discuss issues concerning downtown living. These monthly meetings give the ambassadors a chance to touch base with fellow residents, to report on happenings in their building, to advocate for their neighbors on any urban living issues they face, and to plan events such as community service projects, special events, and town hall meetings.

9. What is one “must-see”/”must-do” when visiting your community?Although it’s impossible to pick just one, we recommend tasting a little bit of everything in Market Square. Whether day or night, Market Square is pulsing with activity, from live music to outdoor dining. In the summer, it’s a great place to eat lunch and enjoy outdoor entertainment.
10. What is your neighborhood’s best kept secret?Our neighborhood’s best kept secret is Our Daily Bread, a cafeteria in the basement of the First Presbyterian Church at 320 6^th Ave, which offers warm, home-style lunches every day for under $8. Again, we can’t pick just one, but we have a handy guide to Downtown’s hidden gems: http://www.pghdowntowncdc.org/top-10-downtown-hidden-gems/
11. What is a restaurant or business in your neighborhood that partners with your organization for an event or on a regular basis?The PDCDC has partnered with Ten Penny, Vallozzi's, NOLA on the Square, Sonoma Grille, Redbeard's, McCormick & Schmick's, Our Daily Bread, Istanbul Grille, Sal's City Deli, La Cucina Flegrea, the Fairmont Pittsburgh Hotel, the Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel, Alihan's Mediterranean Cuisine, August Henry's City Saloon, the Original Oyster House, and will partner with many more Downtown restaurants in the coming months.The restaurants listed above have helped us by providing a venue and sometimes even complimentary food for PDCDC events like Third Tuesday Happy Hour and the Downtown Dining Club. The PDCDC values its relationships with small businesses Downtown. Without them, we wouldn't be where we are today.
12. Interesting fact:Our executive director, John Valentine, knows first-hand what it’s like to run a business Downtown. For many years before he started the PDCDC, John owned and operated Palate Bistro on 6^th St. (now the home to Butcher and the Rye).
13. Upcoming event(s):Monday, April 21 at 6 pm: Downtown Dining Club Goes to Vallozzi’s (220 Fifth Ave)The Downtown Dining Club is a monthly culinary experience that requires no formal membership. Each month, all are welcome to dine together at a different Downtown restaurant. Dining Club guests sit together and pay separately. All food purchases are 15% off.Wednesday, April 23 at 6 pm: Downtown Book Club @ Amazing BooksThis month, we’re reading Soundings by local author Hali Felt. The author will attend the meeting and talk a little bit about her book.

    Monday, April 28 at 5:30 pm: Hatch Kick-off Celebration @ Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Co. (937 Liberty Ave)Learn more about Hatch and how it can make a difference in your community. Istanbul Grille will provide complimentary food and refreshments. Click here for the Hatch Kickoff Event Flyer.

    Tuesday, May 13 at 6 pm: Spaghetti Dinner at Our Daily Bread (First Presbyterian Church, 320 6^th Ave)

14. Contact Information
    1. Name of contact person for further inquiries:Hadley Pratt, Communications Director
    2. Phone:(412) 849-6530
    3. Address:100 Fifth Ave, Suite 614Pittsburgh, PA 15222
15. Link to Website:pghdowntowncdc.orghatch.pdcdc.org
16. Social Media:Facebookfacebook.com/PghDowntownCDCTwittertwitter.com/DowntownCDC