Construction Of Dock By ‘Redd Up’ Crew Questioned

Target 11 investigator Rick Earle spotted a City of Pittsburgh cleanup crew doing construction this summer on the Northside.

Earle said Target 11 received complaints that the "Redd Up" crew was building a dock instead of boarding up abandoned homes or cutting down overgrown weeds.

Douglas and Rosa Jones’s colorful yard stands in stark contrast to the trees and weeds that cover the lots next door. The Jones said they called the city asking for the "Redd Up" crew to clean up the neighboring yard.

“It just grows and grows and we've called and nothing has happened," said Mr. Jones

Mrs. Jones said, “We were hoping they would get here sooner. We hope the 'Redd Up' crew will redd up.”

Earle said, “The 'Redd Up' crew hasn't been to this Homewood street, maybe because they've been busy building a dock. That's right -- a boat dock along the Ohio River on the Northside right behind Western Penitentiary.”

For two weeks during the summer Target 11 cameras captured city workers building the dock. The finished product has wooden steps leading down to a concrete pad. It even bares the name of the late mayor. It’s called the Bob O’Connor Memorial Docks.

Pittsburgh City Council member Bill Peduto said,” In this case it appears that the 'Redd Up' crew decided on their own to take on a major project for the city of Pittsburgh."

Peduto said he didn't know about the dock and said it never came before council.

He also said it's not a job for the "Redd Up" crew which O’Connor created to clean up run down neighborhoods.

Peduto said, “There was never one time that Bob O’Connor said, I’m going to create this crew so we can have boat docks."

Target 11 also discovered there was no engineering study done by the city before building the dock.

Both the Army Corps of Engineers and the department of environmental protection said the city never applied for the required permits.

Peduto said, “If it is the case that we have done so without the proper permits from the federal and state governments…if something were to happen there the city taxpayers would be held liable. What we need to understand is a clarification of the role of the 'Redd Up' crew, who do they report to?”

Earle questioned Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. Earle said, “The Redd Up crew was over on the Northside building a dock. Do you know anything about this?”

Ravenstahl said, “No I don't. I can take a look at that.”

The mayor oversees the "Redd Up" crew. At first, he told Earle he didn't know anything about the dock, but that changed minutes later. Ravenstahl said, “”Correct. We just dedicated that this summer.”

Earle said, “I'm wondering did this have your approval or how this was done?“

Ravenstahl replied, “Again we've done a lot of investment in that riverfront. And it's something we're proud of. I don't know that there are any problems with the dock or the situation surrounding it.”

Earle said, “The mayor said most of the material was donated for the project, but when we pressed him about the permits, he didn't want to talk anymore.”

Peduto said, “This facility, if it is operating out of compliance, needs to be shut down immediately.”

Earle said, “After talking with the mayor, we contacted his press secretary and we have not heard back from her. In the meantime, the Army Corps of Engineers has launched an investigation into the construction of the dock.”

Previous Stories: July 17, 2007: Mayor, Pitt Football Players 'Redd Up' Oakland September 13, 2006: Projects To Keep O'Connor Initiative Alive