Community Center needs more than mural

As a longtime supporter of the Sewickley Community Center, I was excited to hear about plans to create a Black History wall, a vibrant and meaningful tribute to the legacy and contributions of Black Americans. Honoring that history is vital, especially in a place like Sewickley with deep cultural roots. But as I reflect on the Center’s broader role in our community, I can’t help but wonder: Are they really putting our resources where they’re needed most?

Anyone who has visited the facility recently knows it’s in need of some serious TLC. The swimming pool, once a summer staple, could use updated equipment and improved maintenance. Construction inside the building appears to be stalled or incomplete. Restrooms are outdated and often in disrepair. And let’s not forget, there’s no air conditioning. In the heat of summer, that’s not just uncomfortable for the children who do attend, it’s a barrier to participation.

The Center no longer operates a day care, which leaves a noticeable gap in services. So, what’s next? Could we offer enriching summer programs for local youth? STEM classes, art workshops, music sessions and tutoring could draw in more families and more opportunities.

This isn’t about choosing between art and infrastructure. The Black History wall is a beautiful idea, but it should be one part of a larger, strategic plan — one that preserves the heart of the community while making sure the building itself is safe, modern and truly welcoming.

We all want the Sewickley Community Center to thrive, not just survive. Let’s invest in the foundation, literally and figuratively, so that generations to come can benefit from a space that’s as vibrant and resilient as the people.

Pamela Squires

Sewickley

Your neighbors need public transit

We are blessed to have a thriving town center filled with spontaneous connections with your former classmates, friendly faces that never seem to fade with each passing neighbor and a curb appeal making it a coveted place within Allegheny County.

It truly is a privilege to live in this town. Our streamlined access and proximity to our mother of black and yellow is a pillar of what makes this town so great, yet this access is in peril. If you do not know or have seen the signage along the scattered bus stops along Beaver Street, our bus route will be eliminated.

This may not impact you in the slightest due to our privilege of automotive transportation, but there are people in your community who rely on bus line #14: Ohio Valley. You may have never taken the bus and never planned to, but this route services each borough, township, community and neighborhood along Ohio River Boulevard extending from Ambridge to the North Side. Do not think Sewickley is exempt from this; your neighbors are facing an immediate end to their freedom of accessing Pittsburgh.

The people who greet you “good morning” in line at Adesso Café and those who hold the door open as you pick up your most recent mystery novel at the library are in trouble. With our privilege, we can help them. It is too late to stop the elimination of Bus #14, but we can bring it back. We can advocate for those who depend on this bus to survive. We can donate to the PRT; helping them reach their financial goals. We can raise our voice through online surveys, public hearings and with our vote. At the very least, I plead to you as a fellow Sewickley resident, educate yourself on this devastating issue. Try to exemplify the neighbor Mister Rogers wanted.

Fisher Hemwall

Glen Osborne

Residential parking an issue in Leetsdale

The potential expansion of Premier Youth and Community Center (“Faith-Based Boxing Club Proposed in Leetsdale,” April 24) represents the latest challenge facing residents of Leetsdale’s Broad Street neighborhood over available residential parking.

About half of the homes along Broad Street do not have access to off-street parking — there are even fewer along Beaver Street. Residential parking is too often complicated by traffic for an existing restaurant, along with activities at the municipal building, community room and Henle Park.

The area is zoned for multifamily residential and neighborhood commercial use. Leetsdale’s zoning ordinance requires businesses to provide off-street parking spaces in proportion to the square footage of the business.

This requirement was recently challenged by the owners of a proposed specialty market and wine bar, located in a former church at the same intersection as both the restaurant and the former meat market that PYCC is eyeing for their boxing gym. The wine bar’s request for a variance from the parking requirement was rejected twice by Leetsdale’s Zoning Hearing Board.

The wine bar has now proposed an amendment to the zoning ordinance that would allow leased parking spaces elsewhere, such as the Leetsdale VFW, to satisfy the off-street parking requirement. Leetsdale Council held a public hearing on this change on June 12, before its regular monthly meeting.

Even if approved, this change alone will not solve the problem. Aside from a signage requirement, there is nothing in place or proposed to discourage event attendees and customers from finding closer on-street parking at the expense of residents, while ignoring more distant spaces leased for their exclusive use. This will only be made worse with the addition of new venues and more frequent events.

Any proposed changes to the business parking requirements must be accompanied by a process to protect residents’ ability to park near their homes. Whether this takes the form of establishing resident-only parking zones with a permit system or some other means, such an effort must be accompanied by a robust, consistent enforcement mechanism.

Mr. Boyer and PYCC have done a credible job in engaging area youth. However, their activities should not be conducted where they may have a negative impact on the ability of adjacent residents to fully use and enjoy their property.

Without more action by the borough to protect this ability, PYCC should seek space elsewhere.

John L. Linko

Leetsdale

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