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May 06, 2004 - Union Project Recognized for Preservation Work

Press Release

Contact: Jessica King

412-363-4550

jess@unionproject.org

May 4, 2004

For Immediate Release

Union Project Recognized for Preservation Work

The Union Project has been recognized by the Young Preservationists of Pittsburgh, as one of the “Top Ten Historic Preservation Opportunities of 2004”. The YPA announced the Top Ten as part of a celebration of National Historic Preservation Week 2004.

The YPA is a broad-based regional coalition of dynamic preservation leaders organized to ignite a new historic preservation movement in southwestern Pennsylvania. The mission of Young Preservationists Association of Pittsburgh is the active participation of young people in the preservation of historic resources.

The recognition of the Union Project by the YPA brings significant visibility to a project that was created by young residents of Pittsburgh’s Highland Park and East Liberty neighborhoods. The Union Project is working towards the innovative restoration of a prominent community building to provide gathering and working space for artists, community builders and people of faith from East Liberty, Highland Park and surrounding neighborhoods.

The Union Project was originally built in 1903 as the Second United Presbyterian Church but was most recently owned by Union Baptist Church and was purchased in 2001 by Pittsburgh Leadership Foundation on behalf of the Union Project.

The YPA chooses the Top Ten based on five criteria: is the site 50 years old or older; Historical and architectural significance; are there threats to the site; Community input; and Feasibility of the solution. The 2004 top ten were chosen out of 18 nominations from across the region.

“The Union Project was chosen as one of the Young Preservationists’ ‘Top Ten Best Preservation Opportunities’ based on the strength of its application, its sophisticated plan, and extensive community input,” stated Dan Holland, Founder and Chair of the Young Preservationists Association of Pittsburgh.  “The Union Project embodies what we are about—engaging young people to get involved in preserving their community landmarks,” said Holland.

The Union Project’s most notable restoration achievement has been the successful implementation of stained glass restoration classes. These classes teach students the art and craft of historical stained glass while at the same time restoring the stained glass windows in the Union Project building. The Union Project building, located on the corner of Stanton and Negley Avenues in Highland Park is a 15,000 square foot stone building. It is being restored to provide gathering and working space for artists, community builders, and people of faith.

For more information about the Young Preservationists visit www.youngpreservationists.org.

For more information about the Union Project visit www.unionproject.org.