| Knoxville Borough was incorporated in 1877. Its location on the second ridge from the Monongahela River, was a desirable local as it was shielded from the smoke emanating from the factories and mills of the South Side. Knoxville became accessible from the South Side with the opening of an incline in the 1870s. It quickly attracted many middle managers of the South Side mills as residents. Eventually the Borough was annexed by the City in 1927. Because it developed mostly in the final decades of the 19th century, Knoxville is dense and retains much of its urban form. Even with its disinvestment and poverty, the majority of its residential homes and commercial buildings along Brownsville Rd remain standing. Knoxville has great potential to become a viable walkable urban neighborhood with concerted reinvestment and attention. Other areas that could improve its livability include bike infrastructure, several new neighborhood parks, and new restaurants, retail, and creative storefronts along Brownsville road. A supermarket would be a huge benefit, but that may be down the road. |
URBAN STRENGTHS:
| * Consistent sidewalks throughout but current ADA infrastructure is absent from most residentials streets. Common along the commercial corridor, Brownsville Rd. * Good tree canopy due to the terrain but limited street trees along the Brownsville Corridor. * Convenient access to Dwtn via both driving and public transit. * Good connectivity in the street grid. * On of the most ethnically diverse neighborhoods in Pittsburgh. * Many family households. * No parks within the Knoxville borders but the expensive McKinley Park is on its western edge along with several cemeteries. * While blighted, Brownsville is a pretty in tact urban businesses district with attractive architecture. Some attention was made the its streetscape several decades ago. * Good density, especially for a Pittsburgh neighborhood that has seen significant disinvestment |
URBAN WEAKNESSES:
| * No bike infrastructure. * Very high poverty here (around 35%) but a decent middle class population. * For Sale Market is still pretty depressed with most homes selling below 50K. Stable well maintained stocks transacting btwn 50K-130K. Some rental product but inexpensive. * Cultural amenities are pretty limited to a handful of restaurants & bars. Most residents are still within walking distance to Warrington in Allentown which has many amenities. * Retail amenities are a bit better including a public library, hardware store, post office, banks, a family dollar, drug store, and hair salons. * Still some safety issues in Knoxville and a fair about of blight along Brownsville and the northern section of the residential areas. * No schools within or even near the Knoxville borders. Some in adjacent neighborhoods but not walkable. * Urban in-fill is pretty limited |
Evaluating our Urban Communities [with a focus on America] 