| Spring Hill was named for the abundance of springs near the site. Germans immigrated there from 1850 to 1920, giving the neighborhood a very Bavarian atmosphere reflected in its local streets (i.e. Rhine, Woessner, Haslage, Zoller and Goehring). The population of Spring Hill peak in 1940 around 8,000 and has stabilized down to around 2,500. Spring Hill Garden used to host around 4,000 and now is just under 1,000. This is a very typical hillside Pittsburgh community, which has seem a drastic population loss but has managed to “right size” through losing population often in the most steep terrain and maintaining generations of families. Spring Hill and Spring Garden are beginning to see modest real estate interest given its close proximity to downtown and other revitalizing communities such as Deutchtown and Mexican War Streets. The old warehouses of Spring Garden are beginning to see new life through modern craft outfits, distilleries, and fitness centers. To elevate this district to a viable urban community continued real estate investment, new bike paths, improved public transit connections, and a walkable neighborhood amenities are needed. But this is certainly possible given the neighborhood’s good urban bones, proximity to downtown, and beautiful views and generous yards. |
URBAN STRENGTHS
| * Good access to downtown especially by car, but decent public transit access. One could even walk to downtown in 30-45 minutes if they can handle the terrain. Getting to Oakland is much harder by transit by easy by car. * All around great diversity in Spring Hill. * For sale housing is very affordable with prices ranging anywhere from 25K to 150K depending on size and quality. * Great tree cover thanks to all the steep terrain and hillsides. |
URBAN WEAKNESSES
| * Very low density for an urban district due to the extreme topography and steep population decline. * No bike infrastructure across the district. * Not much rental product in the neighborhood and what exist is very modest. * There are a couple parks hosting ballfields, playgrounds, and the Lutheran cemetery. * Sidewalks are often missing and very steep terrain, so ADA infrastructure isn’t great. * Commercial is very limited (a brewery within the Spring Hill district but some neighborhood amenities existing on Spring Garden Road (i.e. pharmacy, family dollar, some light manufacturing, a cider house, and a couple of bars and restaurants. * Very limited cultural amenities within the district, but the rich cultural of the northside and downtown is only 2 miles away. * There is a poorly rated elementary school but not much else. |
Evaluating our Urban Communities [with a focus on America] 