Dancin’ in the street
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
People mingle in the street during Mt. Lebanon’s Uptown Unveiled event. For six hours on Aug. 5, citizens were able to enjoy a stroll on Washington Road as the community’s business district showed off a two-year, $4 million renovation project that included new sidewalks, planters and lighting.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Amy Zhang waits on a customer at her bakery, located in Mt. Lebanon’s Uptown business district. An Upper St. Clair resident, Zhang has owned and operated Amy’s Bakery, which specializes in Korean treats, for five years.
East End Brewing owner Scott Smith serves up a beer to Lucky Rattan of Mt. Lebanon during Uptown Unveiled. Rattan said the beer was excellent.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Ronan McPherson, left, watches intently as his brother, Mike, makes his move during a giant Jenga game set up on Washington Road during Mt. Lebanon’s Uptown Unveiled celebration.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Laura Pace Lilley reviews strategy with Eric Miliron during the Uptown Unveiled event in Mt. Lebanon.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Sue Jordan dances with her friend Dawn Thomas as the band Fungus plays in the background. The group is noted for its rendition of Grateful Dead classics as well as other classic rock bands.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Pat Hodge performs at the Clocktower Plaza during Uptown Unveiled. He was one of six musical acts to perform.
After enduring nearly two years’ worth of construction, residents of Mt. Lebanon were dancing – literally – in the street, celebrating the end iof the first phase of a multimillion-dollar project to renovate and revive the Washington Road business district.
Mt. Lebanon hosted Uptown Unveiled street fair Aug. 5 as a way to give back the business district to the business community. In addition to dancing to music provided by a half-dozen musical acts, revelers enjoyed good food and drink during the afternoon event, which included a special ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Clocktower Plaza.
“They can embrace normalcy and get back to why they are there,” said Eric Milliron, Mt. Lebanon commercial districts manager, who served as emcee for the day.
New sidewalks, improved lighting and self-irrigating flower planters as well as upgrades to electrical conduits were among the renovations.
Anne Swager Wilson, Mt. Lebanon Commission vice president, noted, “Main street is the heart of a community, and that is what Washington Road is. A gathering place. This infrastructure that this town has put in is meant to bring you together and talk to each and visit. This is money well-spent in bringing people together.”
Mt. Lebanon municipal manager Keith McGill believes the project is an investment in the future.
“Now we are poised to burst into this iteration with brighter lights, more accessible sidewalks, more greenery and unlimited potential. Together with business, we created a destination that people will visit again and again. The space will continue to grow and flourish for a whole new generation because it is the heart and soul of our community.”