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Environmentally
Focused Projects

Center for Civic Arts and our community partners foster the value of eco-friendly living and improved quality of life that lead to cost savings from energy and water efficiency, less maintenance, enhanced air quality, a healthier lifestyle, increased property value, and positive impact change in the community to help save the planet..  

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Watch this space

for updates on Wilkinsburg's first solar panel installation, made possible by a donation from Scalo Solar.

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The Gateway Project  (gateway into Wilkinsburg) 

In Partnership with the Wilkinsburg Borough, Civic Arts created a stormwater management green space designed for 0% water run off into the sewer system. Artful benches created by Wilkinsburg artist James Shipman invite passersby to sit and enjoy the bio swale, trees, permeable pavers, perennials, and grass.  In the heart of the business district, this once vacant lot now welcomes visitors with a sustainable stormwater management demonstration garden.  Take a tour and hear what a few neighbors think of the renovation.

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The Nine Mile Viewfinder Project

Nine Mile Run Viewfinder is a series of portals for seeing, hearing, and smelling the waterway beneath our feet. Part of the Environment, Health, and Public Art Initiative, this artwork was created to bring attention to the connections between Nine Mile Run, the stormwater and sewer systems, the Monongahela River, and the water we drink. The artwork advocates for a healthy watershed in eastern Pittsburgh and neighboring communities.

To create this interactive piece, Brooks Takahashi worked with Pittsburgh-based designers Clear Story to design an edition of three manhole covers constructed with ADA accessible metal grating. These covers replace three existing storm sewer manhole covers that provide access to Nine Mile Run. Designed to bring light to the underground stream, the Viewfinders focus and frame a real time view of the flow. Gaps in the metal grating allow for the transmission of sound and smell, and photovoltaic cells power light to the bottom of the culvert.

George Floyd Community
Tomato and Pollinator Garden

The vacant lot on Mulberry Street in Wilkinsburg was transformed into an heirloom tomato garden and named in  memory of George Floyd.  

The tomatoes are given away free to the public each year.

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