The plan was to "upscale" Federal Street by removing the businesses which served the neighborhood, tearing down the historic buildings, and expecting it to suck in real estate speculators with new business tenants to serve the affluent and rich who don't live here. It hasn't worked!
Now, to save face, the plan is to move the library out of its historic building into a new building in the heart of the lackluster Federal Street project. But nobody asked us!
The decision was made without public input. The library management then went to the various civic groups in the neighborhood and told them what they had decided to do. Most, figuring it was a done deal, simply nodded and went along, not wanting to make waves. Then the library management went to the public officials and claimed to have consulted with the residents in reaching their decision.
This is not what democracy looks like! It may be the way things have been done in Pittsburgh for too many years, but this is not public involvement or citizen participation. You can help us do something about it.
