Historic Hill District Community Celebration & BBQ

Tuesday, September 13, was a joyous day of food, fun and fellowship at the Historic Hill Community BBQ Celebration at the new Frankie Mae Pace Park, in the Lower Hill District. The event was catered by six Hill District businesses that spoiled us all----Z-Best BBQ’s succulent ribs, Beyond Blessed Catering Co.’s five cheese macaroni and cheese, Eminent Hospitality’s brisket and burgers, Phat Girlz a Cookin’s award-winning greens, Grandma Joan’s Italian iced lemonade and banana pudding, which left us all spoiled and full! Working together with The M Robinson Group, our Director of Community, Arts and Culture, Dr. Kimberly C. Ellis, put together a wonderful event with over 100 attendees enjoying games, dancing, conversation and even a pop-up scene from August Wilson’s 1982 play, “Jitney.” Representatives from the Lower Hill Redevelopment team: The Buccini/Pollin Group (BPG), Pittsburgh Penguins, and Clay Cove Capital welcomed community members to meet, informally, and provide the opportunity to learn more about what’s happening on the 28-acre Lower Hill District site and to join in on learning and the workforce, job and business resource hub---the Lower Hill First Source Center. Handouts on our Community Reinvestments and our M/WBE numbers were provided as well. Presentations were followed by a review of Block E contracting opportunities in the "Contractors Circle", with the construction team, featuring presentations by Boris Kaplan, Bomani Howze, Wesley Schwandt, Matt Corace and Olivia Grunseich of BPGS, as well as by M/WBE consultant e.Holdings and the Block E architect Desmone.
 
Thank you to community members, contractors, food vendors, partners, and friends for making this gathering a success, including the surprise performance by “Jitney” actors, Kevin Brown (Mr. Becker) and Jonathan Berry (Booster). A very special thank you to other Historic Hill District-based business vendors, including DJ Blakk Steel and Prestige Professional Cleaning, Thanks to Northside Tables and Chairs, Family Tent and Zters Port-a-Potty and CDI Printing.  

See all the pictures here!