Chamber History

Although historical records have been destroyed, or lost through changing custodians, long time South Siders with good memories recall the original organization as a primarily retail oriented one, with a loose structure and activities geared toward encouraging local residents to shop at East Carson Street businesses. Special thanks go out to Roberta Smith, first Executive Director of the South Side Chamber of Commerce for this historical background.

• Sponsorship of Halloween and Macy’s-type Christmas Parades, complete with large character balloons
• Co-op special promotion ads in local newspapers (There were at least two, The South Sider and The Reporter.)
• South Side Day at Westview Park, where merchants coordinated games and contests and provided prizes

1950’s: Dormancy
During this period of Post World War II industrial successes, when South Side heavy industry was booming, merchants apparently did not feel the need for a business organization. A small group of retailers and financial institution executives continued to meet on an irregular basis and kept the chamber’s bank account alive, while discussing the need for such improvements as parking for East Carson Street businesses and a new connector between South Side and the East End communities. But there was no indication of any public activity, except for an occasional cooperative sales promotion.

1960’s: Revitalization
The South Side Chamber of Commerce was revitalized in the mid 1960’s through the efforts of an “outsider” with no business ties to the community, the late Richard S. Wells (an English teacher and community organizer at Brashear Association) who thought it was a disgrace that East Carson Street has no holiday lighting during the busiest shopping of the year. His early efforts and foresight led to what was to become the “Golden Age” of the South Side Chamber of Commerce, transforming the loose-knit, single purpose retail organization into a professional one that would accomplish much for its neighborhood and earn respect and recognition city-and-state-wide.

• Hired professional staff for the first time
• Opened its first office
• Lit up East Carson with holiday lights for the first time in more than 10 years
• Developed South Side’s first comprehensive development plan
• Developed “Operation Georgetown,” the initial South Side revitalization project which rewards property owners for improving their buildings, drawing the attention of Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation and providing the “South Side’s Future is in its Past” theme for restoration rather than modernization
• Began holding annual dinners each year that included city, state and federal officials and representatives of government agencies, along with members and residents who paid tribute to outstanding South Side business, professional and residential leaders

1970s: The Glory Days
During this decade, the South Side Chamber of Commerce continued to grow in numbers of members and accomplishments. Buoyed by successes of the 1960s, the organization’s internal and community-wide projects became more sophisticated.

• Worked with the Mon Plaza Corporation to have then-proposed Pittsburgh Convention Center located on former P&LE Railroad site, where Station Square is now. The effort failed but the process helped the organization grow and gained citywide attention
• Worked with city’s Urban Redevelopment Authority to persuade building owners to restore facades using the Birmingham theme
  

1980s: Economic Decline and Rebirth
The beginning of the steel industry decline has an effort on the South Side Chamber of Commerce membership and financial bases. Malls drew customers away from the neighborhood shopping center and heirs to once family-owned businesses preferred to pursue professional careers other than retailing. Artists, antique dealers and food service establishment began to fill spaces once occupied by traditional retail establishments.

• Purchase sidewalk cleaning equipment and hired part-time cleaner
• Founded, organized and hired staff for the South Side Local Development Company to handle community development planning and projects
• Helped organize and plan the first South Side Summer Street Spectacular

1990s to the Present:
The South Side Chamber of Commerce is affiliated with the South Side Local Development (SSLDC) until 2002 when its officers and members decide to separate the organizations. The South Side Chamber envisions the South Side to be a strong business community with retail, service and professional businesses. It starts to host special events involving art, music, theater and festivals and becomes a strong political and economic voice within our neighborhood and throughout the city of Pittsburgh. It engages the membership in activities that promote their businesses within the region as well as the South Side community.

• Establishes quarterly open board meetings to familiarize members with Chamber activities, opportunities and endeavors
• Relocates two Port Authority bus stops because of pedestrian and auto traffic safety concerns
• Participates in the McArdle Roadway Project. After inactivity for over two years the Chamber becomes involved by meeting with appropriate city officials to get the project on a fast tract
• Secured financing for the rewiring and repair of Carson Street to provide holiday lights
• Played an active role in efforts to keep the Zone 3 Police Station via aggressive letter writing, phone and personal contact geared toward city officials
• Organized the Wage and Alcohol Tax Leadership Forum. Also attended numerous meetings throughout the city opposing any increased business taxes
• Keep area businesses informed about issues that impact their business through letter writing, postcards, emails, faxes, newspaper articles, etc.
• Controlled loitering by having the benches on the eighteen hundred block of Carson Street removed
• Offer group health insurance benefits:
  • Healthcare, Dental and Vision
  • Long-and short-term life insurance
  • $15,000 in term life insurance
  • Long term card
  • COBRA administration
  • Worker’s compensation
  • AFLAC
  • Discounted rates for business-related services