Implementation

Understanding Implementation

The purpose of this chapter is to build a shared understanding of the most important stage of all plans – the realization of the vision through action. Neighborhood plans should purposely include actions to implement within the first one to two years. These short-term actions build momentum and capacity for larger efforts. The plan should also identify mid-term actions that require three to five years before full development is realized. Finally, it should identify long-term actions where advocacy and capacity are needed over time before the outcome is achieved. Shorter-term actions are important to build momentum for the successful launch of a project, such as the creation of a “Friends Of” organization, studies, design exercises, partnership building, temporary or tactical installations, etc.

The implementation process for programs, projects, and partnerships can vary widely based on the scale and complexity of the activity, how the project is funded, and the partnerships needed to see them through. How the action is funded will often decide the timeline for implementation.

Funding Considerations

If City budget funds are used, it is important to understand that City departments draft budget requests for the following year in the late spring. Departments ask for funds for a variety of projects, and these requests go through a 6-month process of reviews including by City Council and the Mayor’s Office before a final budget is approved. Examples include operating funds for park master planning at DCP or capital funds by DPW to initiate construction. The City also has standards for procurement and the inclusion of minority- and women-owned businesses that require additional reviews at the contracting stage. Many projects are partially or wholly funded by state and federal grants and/or foundation money. Each of these sources of funding are highly competitive and have their own fixed application cycles throughout the year.

WWI Memorial (Frank Vittor), Elliott
Mural, California-Kirkbride
A Song To Nature, Central Oakland

We Are
Pittsburgh

Downtown

Examples of Implementation Considerations for Typical Actions

Zoning Change

The City Zoning Code regulates the private use of land. Changing these regulations is a common way to implement the vision of the plan by allowing certain uses in specific areas and specifying characteristics about building design and performance. Changes to the Zoning Code take at least 6 months and requires review by the Planning Commission who recommend the amendment on to City Council for adoption. Complicated or divisive proposals can take substantially longer. Public notices are required before hearings at Planning Commission and City Council and cover the area to be affected by the change.

Implementer
City
Most large-scale Zoning Code changes are initiated by DCP or City Council to implement an adopted city policy or plan.
Implementer
Property Owner
There is a process for property owners to request a zone change although it is used very rarely. Owners of large properties can seek to create a Specially Planned district where they set land use regulations through a public process reviewed by DCP and the Planning Commission although these are increasingly rare due to more proactive regulator management through planning and plan implementation.
Funding
City Budget
Funding for these projects is typically focused on hiring consultants or paying for planning staff time to conduct necessary analyses including potential transportation impacts for larger projects. DCP also charges fees for zoning change requests from property owners.
Partnerships
Community
Zoning Code changes most commonly occur as an outcome of a planning process where the community established a vision and identified specific outcomes to be achieved by the zoning change. In some cases, community organizations and proposed temporary zoning provisions to test a concept in their area based on requests from the broader community. In this case, staff review the proposed Zoning Code amendment and work with the community organization(s) to process the amendment through Planning Commission and City Council.
Previous
Next

Warren
Street Mural

Fineview

Public Art

Art in the public realm can be on public property, or by an arts organization, developer, or foundation when on private property.

Implementer
City
On public property, art is typically commissioned and installed by the City’s Division of Public Art & Civic Design.
Implementer
Other
There are many other organizations that can propose public art whether it is on public property or on private property in the public realm (e.g., on property adjacent to a sidewalk or street). Hospitals, universities and large employers often commission public art installations. All projects on public property must be approved by the City’s Art Commission.
Funding
City Budget
City budget funds are one source of funding for public art projects. All City capital budget funded projects for construction or renovation of public buildings costing $50,000 or more are required to commit one percent of the project budget for public art. As with other City-funded activities, there are rules and requirements for transparent processes in the selection of artists and contracting.
Funding
Foundations
Foundations often work with community-based organizations to commission art as a means of building community identity and a sense of place.
Funding
Other Sources
The Regional Arts Council and Office of Public Art fund and commission many public art installations throughout the city on private property
Partnerships
Various
Depending on the source of funding, partnerships can vary widely. Public engagement is typical of public art projects, with all projects on public property required to have a hearing and action by the City’s Art Commission.
Previous
Next

1400 block of Chartiers Ave

Crafton Heights

Street Improvements

Improvements to the street can vary widely from replacement of damaged sidewalks, the cartway, furnishings such as street lights, or traffic lights. While most of these actions are a matter of budget and design, traffic signals and changes to the flow of traffic can be made only following a detailed analysis where certain standards called “warrants” are met. While a plan may call for a new signal, it is unlikely to be installed if the analysis does not show that it meets the warrants. Additionally, the importance of curb heights, awareness of stormwater/ sewer infrastructure (catch basins and manholes) and the proper milling and paving of streets to ensure proper flow of stormwater should be considered.

Implementer
City
DOMI is responsible for making most transportation-related improvements to the streets. There is a lot of coordination between DOMI and PWSA due to their shared interest in public infrastructure.
Implementer
Developers
Some improvements to streets are required as a result of traffic studies conducted by those proposing new developments. In this case, their study shows the traffic impacts of the development will require the improvement, and they will design and build the improvement to City standards.
Implementer
Property Owner
Under Pennsylvania state law sidewalks are the property owner’s responsibility to maintain and repair.
Funding
City Budget, Grants
The majority of street improvements are funded by City budget funds, with larger projects often including grants from the regional, state or federal government. Additionally, PWSA funding comes from ratepayer dollars.
Funding
Developers
Where development triggers the need for improvements to the street, the developer pays these costs either directly or into a fund that is used by the City for construction.
Partnerships
Community
In most cases, the only partners are the community as they review and provide input on design. Street improvement often follow recommendations in Neighborhood Plans for location and intent, and then city standards or design guidelines adopted by the City.
Previous
Next

Spring Hill Mosaic

Spring Hill

New Park

Creating a new park where none exists can be a long proposition due to the complexity of creating a park that serves everyone’s needs, the fact that it is usually publicly funded and therefore subject to procurement and budgeting considerations, and that it incorporates a large number of stakeholders.

Implementer
City
The need for parks is identified in plans, followed by a master planning public process often led by DCP to understand the details of what facilities should be built into the park. This is followed by more detailed design work by the DPW as a means to develop a final budget and design for construction. Maintenance is a key concern in all park planning. Citiparks is consulted during design to incorporate programming considerations.
Funding
City Budget, Grants, Foundations
Many projects are funded by a combination of sources with City budget funds being matched by state or federal grants. Foundation money can serve to fill gaps or can be the match for other funds.
Partnerships
Community
Like streets and many other public goods, everyone uses parks and will want to have a chance to learn about and provide input on the design.
Partnerships
External Funders
In addition to public engagement, for parks that are funded by grants and/ or foundations, further engagement of these organizations will be necessary to secure the funds and ensure compliance with the rules of the funding source.
Partnerships
Elected Officials
Elected officials are often involved in helping to secure park funding.
Previous
Next

West Penn Recreation Center

Polish Hill

District Energy

District energy systems can refer to thermal heat and cooling or to renewable electricity generation into a grid. The generation of energy and its distribution is regulated by the State Public Utilities Commission.

Implementer
Regulated Utility
Most new energy systems are generated by a regulated utility company that invests in the generating facility as well as the transmission infrastructure. Sometimes these two elements are decoupled with transmission managed by a separate utility, such as Duquesne Light Company.
Implementer
Institution or Private Entity
For many hospitals, universities, and other large energy users, generating energy and/or electricity on-site is both economically beneficial and may be required by regulations such as hospital backup systems. These systems can be linked to create larger networks to service larger areas and or create redundancies.
Funding
Various, Changing
Funding can vary widely, from on-bill financing and bonding for utilities to bonds and other financial tools used by institutions and major employers. This topic is evolving rapidly and may result in public-private partnerships and new funding strategies. One example of the changing face of energy is the creation of Power Purchase Agreements which allow individuals and organizations to join together with others to purchase the energy from a specific generating source such as a hydroelectric dam, solar farm, or wind farm. This can finance the creation or expansion of the generating facility. Cooperatives are also forming around solar generation that would allow residents in a community to work together to fund their own solar generation system that would serve their homes. Various, Changing As noted under Funding, there is a wide variety of processes that can result in the creation of district energy systems. Common to all of these systems is collaboration between the energy user, the energy supplier, and the planning for distribution. Increasingly City governments are getting involved in these discussions and helping to overcome hurdles associated with such complex discussions.
Partnerships
Various, Changing
As noted under Funding, there is a wide variety of processes that can result in the creation of district energy systems. Common to all of these systems is collaboration between the energy user, the energy supplier, and the planning for distribution. Increasingly City governments are getting involved in these discussions and helping to overcome hurdles associated with such complex discussions.
Previous
Next

Warren
Street Mural

Fineview

Infrastructure Improvements

Improvements to the water and sewer conveyance system including replacing lead lines, installing new water mains, relining or replacing sewer mains, replacing old or installing new catch basins, stormwater systems, green infrastructure, etc. all fall within the purview of the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA).

Implementer
PWSA
The Authority is responsible for making most water and sewer related improvements in the right-of-way.
Implementer
Developers
Local developers must demonstrate to the PWSA that their planned development and intended use can be supported by the current PWSA water and sewer system. If not, the developer is responsible for making the necessary upgrades to the system as outlined in the PWSA Developer Manual. All improvements must meet PWSA design specifications.
Funding
Various Sources as Available
PWSA uses its Capital Improvement Plan to make necessary water, sewer, and stormwater improvements. For larger projects, state and federal grants are utilized as well as local grant opportunities. Where applicable, cost-share agreements are arranged with the appropriate agencies.
Partnerships
Various, Changing
Participating in the neighborhood planning process will allow PWSA to understand where infrastructure issues to better address them. Being involved at the planning level will allow for more intentional coordination with other City agencies, utility companies, NGOs, and private developers to make targeted, cost-effective, sustainable upgrades.
Previous
Next

City of Pittsburgh

Neighborhood Plan Guide

Adopted March 2020

Quick Links

Report a Problem

Your feedback helps us improve the Neighborhood Plan Guide experience for all users. Please describe your issue in as much detail as possible.

* required

Dismiss