Trip #546 Lehr Way to Cedarhurst Street, Beltzhoover, Pittsburgh took place on December 23, 2020, and was published on February 5, 2021.
Desire is the fuel that keeps the engine of progress running. Because of our desires, pathways emerge, and by following them, we make our way in the world. On Freeland Street in Beltzhoover, residents desire a cleaner neighborhood, so they’re working to end illegal dumping on empty lots. City hall desires a new life for an old school building, so funds are allocated for a community and senior living center. And real estate developers desire inexpensive homes because once the trash is cleaned up and neighborhood services restored, they can sell them for a profit. Desires come in every conceivable shape and size, and at times, have competing and even oppositional interests. But it’s the presence of desire in all its varieties that motivates progress. Desire is what keeps us working, dreaming, planning, and trying our best to create the life we want to have for ourselves and our communities.
Field Notes: I’m noticing a lot of city steps made of red brick in Beltzhoover. I wonder if this was something the neighborhood requested? I’d like to find some old photos of what they would have looked like when the area was fully populated.
Love city steps? Get yourself the latest issue of Mis.Steps: Our Missed Connections with Pittsburgh’s City Steps! Each copy is unique and features 10 randomly selected “trading cards” of Pittsburgh’s 739 public stairways. Visit the Mis.Steps online store to see all issues and place your order.
Want to visit these stairs? You can locate them on the Pittsburgh City Steps Plan website!
Be a good neighbor! Have you visited these stairs and found them in poor condition or that illegal dumping (large items like tires, old furniture, and construction debris) and trash were abundant in the area? There are two things you can do to take action and make our city steps cleaner and safer for everyone! First, grab a photo if you can, and submit a report to Pittsburgh 311. All problems, both broken stairs, and railings, as well as trash and dumping, should be reported to the city. You can easily do this online or by calling.
