Historic Deutschtown: Live - Work - Play - Invest Here
Using video media to paint a picture of the possibilities and opportunities in Deutschtown, especially encouraging Northsiders and others to invest in new businesses.
Leader
Abe Stucky
Location
E Ohio Street Pittsburgh, PA 15212
About the project
Given that the digital, online world continues to grow into an enormous marketplace of information, ideas, products and communication, Northside Leadership Conference proposes a short video focused on the future of business and commerce in Historic Deutschtown. It will feature a variety of comments by residents and business owners, along with a rich diversity of images of the businesses in action.
The project goal is to paint a picture of possibilities and opportunities to encourage Northsiders and others to do business here and invest in new businesses. Of particular interest is attracting a new, younger generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders, along with encouraging Northside residents to BUY LOCAL.
Seed funding for the video comes from the Sprout Fund’s Neighbor-to-Neighbor Grant Program which has provided mini-grants to dozens of projects this year throughout the Northside. This is one of many new initiatives funded in the last few months by the Buhl Foundation’s new One Northside program thrust.
The Steps
The video is seed-funded by the Sprout Fund for $1,000. A variety of strategies, including this, is bringing in the additional money needed to fully fund the project. Currently the video is in the planning phase, and we have a story treatment and an outline of proposed visuals. The majority of filming is scheduled for June 26 and 27. The completed video will premier at a community venue (likely Bistro-to-Go), will be shown at other community meetings, and will be used to promote the community via local websites and social media.
Why we‘re doing it
East Ohio Street and Deutschtown are the eastern gateway to the Northside and create a first impression—one that is currently trending in a positive direction, but still needs our help. This project is part of a strategy to fill vacant storefronts with vibrant, new businesses run by a new generation of entrepreneurs and leaders. By highlighting the business district – our restaurants, bakeries, banks, stores, events, music and more – and community’s positive assets, the video is intended to help shift the focus from negative perceptions and cast a vision of opportunity and positive placemaking.