Vision

Preservation Pittsburgh will consider itself successful when Pittsburgh communities embrace their unique character and sustain their future through careful stewardship of their historic resources.

Mission

Preservation Pittsburgh advocates for the protection of Pittsburgh’s historic architecture, culture and landscape. We fulfill our mission by:

• identifying resources and collaborative opportunities for preservation in our region’s neighborhoods and with partner organizations;

• developing innovative ideas and incentives for stewardship of our region’s unique sense of place and heritage; and

• advancing sound public planning and development policies that recognize preservation as an integral part of healthy sustainable communities.

History

Preservation Pittsburgh began with the demolition of a City landmark ¾ the Syria Mosque in the Oakland section of our city. The loss of this acoustically perfect and much-loved concert hall [the location is now a surface parking lot] convinced a group of concerned citizens that there needed to be a grass-roots, activist preservation organization to complement existing preservation groups already so that we could work in tandem or alone when necessary.

Priorities

We are proponents of sustainable development, and preservation is a basic tenet. It is preferable and more sustainable to “fix-it-first” whenever possible. Pittsburgh’s lively and diverse communities continue to be a key component of our city’s economic vitality and its ability to attract and maintain its residents. We endeavor to work with community groups and developers during project planning stages to ensure good design, neighborhood sensitivity, and respect for our shared heritage. This is a model for innovation and efficiency in economic development.