Falling debris from a Northside firehouse struck a visiting woman in the head in late July, highlighting years of unenforced building violations that have left public sidewalks and streets blocked throughout the Mexican War Streets neighborhood.
The woman, who declined to give her name, did not seek medical attention or file a police report, fearing it would disrupt her travel plans. Her injury put a scar on an otherwise memorable visit to Pittsburgh.
Residents of the Mexican War Streets have filed reports with Pittsburgh’s 311 and the Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections (PLI) about properties taking up public sidewalks and streets. They’ve largely been ignored. The properties in question have abandoned construction equipment blocking public sidewalks and roads. As the years have piled up, the city’s lack of response has made it a public safety issue…