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The Polish Hill Voice

The Polish Hill Voice is published quarterly. As a current member of the Polish Hill Civic Association, The Voice is mailed to you. Or you can download a pdf version here. If you have any questions, email us at phcapgh@gmail.com, or call the PHCA office at 412-681-1950. You can download a pdf version of the following issues --

The Voice - May 2010
The Voice - February 2010
The Voice - November 2009
The Voice - August 2009
The Voice - May 2009
The Voice - February 2009
The Voice - November 2008
The Voice - Summer 2008
The Voice - Spring 2008
The Voice - Winter 2008
The Voice - Fall 2007
The Voice - Summer 2007
The Voice - Fall/Winter 2006-07
The Voice - Fall 2006
The Voice - Fall/Winter 2005-06
The Voice - Fall 2004
The Voice - Fall/Winter 2003-04
The Voice - Summer 2002

An excerpt from the May 2010 edition of the Voice

Resident's Message

We have finally emerged from one of the snowiest winters in many years. We send many thanks to the stair stewards and all the volunteers who got out and cleared sidewalks and bus stops so that our pedestrians would have safe places to walk. Now that we have a team of hardy volunteers on call, we will be able to respond in a quicker fashion in the years ahead. We can work together to keep our community pedestrian friendly for all four seasons.

Now, Polish Hill gardens and yards sprout and bloom. Windows and doors are open; residents are meeting and talking on their walks. As more activity moves outside, we have the chance to meet more neighbors.

The time for gardens has arrived. The Harmar Street community garden, founded in 2009, has more plots and more gardeners this year. Clearing and planting is underway here and at the Wiggins garden, established in 1979.

Cleaning up and getting our gardens ready is just the beginning of our project lists. Take a few moments and get your planters, flower boxes and tree pits ready for the season. If you have received a new tree in the last few years, keep watering it. The first two years are the most critical to make sure your tree remains healthy.

Our new trees do more than just add beauty to our streets; they help to increase the quality of life for all of our residents. The trees of Polish Hill reduce our heating and cooling utility bills, clean pollutants out of out air and water, reduce noise, promote a habitat for birds and wildlife, and promote community renewal. If you are interested in applying for a tree, come by the PHCA office for an application.

We have another kind of growth occurring in our neighborhood. As we go to press, four new businesses are poised to open: the Urban Gypsy craft and gift shop; Lili Coffee Shop; Mind Cure records; and Copacetic comics.

Opening a business is always a major undertaking; in Polish Hill the challenges are magnified due to factors that prevent many potential business owners from coming here. Polish Hill is quiet and off the beaten path, which is why residents like it so much. But that limits the number of potential customers.

This isn’t a problem for a business that doesn’t rely on walk-in traffic. But the places that will make a difference for this community are those that residents will patronize, or a destination that brings people into the neighborhood.

Another issue is that buildings here tend to be old and not in the best condition. Renovating properties for commercial use can be prohibitively expensive. In decades past, zoning was changed to residential as former storefronts were turned into apartments, and it can be very difficult to revert to commercial or mixed-use. Any building that will contain a business that involves the public must have fire escapes, handicapped bathrooms, new utility lines, and other modifications that add many thousands of dollars to the project cost.

New businesses are an essential part of the revitalization of Polish Hill. Paulette Still-Khouri, Rob Levkulich, Mike Seamans, all new business owners, have put their dreams, money, and hard work towards this goal. Bill Boichel of Copacetic Comics has chosen to relocate here. And Mark Knobil and Catherine McConnell have spent years, and far more money than anticipated, to renovate the building that will hold the coffee shop, record store, and comics shop. We owe a debt of gratitude to these individuals. It takes a lot of faith to start a business in this economy. We are grateful to these determined people who are helping Polish Hill to grow again, and I would like to express my wholehearted support for their efforts.

Terry Doloughty
Polish Hill Civic Association President