Pittsburgh’s Green and Sustainable Neighborhoods: Part 3, Oakmont, PA
For this project, I wanted to select neighborhoods that were both urban and suburban and neighborhoods that ranged from affordable to expensive.
Today, I am profiling Oakmont, PA, a small suburban town located 15 miles north east of downtown Pittsburgh. Oakmont is probably best known for its world class golf course that has played host to the U.S. Open eight times. This riverside community makes the cut primarily because of its high walk score (85, according to walkscore.com). Oakmont is made up mostly of older homes which sell in a range of prices, but plans are underway for a new LEED-certified neighborhood development. The town is served by the Riverview School District.
Walk-ability: Just about everything you need is located on the brick main street of Oakmont. Grocery and hardware stores, fast food and elegant dining, a bakery, clothing boutiques and gift shops, a library and even an independent movie house are all here. Residents will find just about anything they would need in the thriving, and for the most part locally-owned, downtown business district, all surrounded by a compact, tree-lined neighborhood of lovely older homes.
Commute: Like many suburban neighborhoods, Oakmont’s commute to the city is its downfall. Its location 15 miles from town means most residents who work in the city will commit at least 30 minutes or more to their daily commute. Of course, not everyone works in the city. About 21% of the population works in the town and its location near two major RIDC parks and the PA Turnpike Interchange make it convenient for those that work east of the city. Oakmont is served by two PAT Transit bus routes, 77A and the 78A Express route that provide service to and from Downtown. Riding a bike from Oakmont to the city is easy (except for some heavy traffic on the roads) due to the flat route down Allegheny River Boulevard and then Butler Street. Once you reach the 31st Street Bridge you can cross the river and stay on a bike trail the rest of the way into town. Plans call for bike and walking trails along both sides of the river, so eventually you may be able to take a bike path the entire way from Oakmont to the city, but for the time being you’ll still have to spend some of your ride on the main roads.
Outdoor Space: While Oakmont’s tree-lined streets make it a lush and green setting to live in, a large portion of its open outdoor space is dedicated to golf courses. Oakmont does have two parks for non-golfing residents. Dark Hollow Woods Park is located at the top of the neighborhood and backs up against the Penn Hills Community Park. Riverside Park sits near the river and behind Riverview High School. New development 
plans for the riverfront include a park and walking trails and should benefit the neighborhood in this category.
Environmental Activism: Oakmont has several businesses and organizations that help residents live healthier lives. Today’s Market, located on Allegheny River Boulevard is a full service health food store that sells organic, healthy and gluten-free products. During the summer months, the Chamber of Commerce hosts an open-air farmer’s market on Thursdays and Saturdays. Oakmont in Bloom is an organization that seeks to amplify the cleanliness and beauty of the curb to business areas of the town through plantings of trees and flowers.
Housing: It would be impossible to talk about Oakmont without talking about it’s not so green past and how it will tie to its greener future. Oakmont was the site of the former Edgewater Steel Company. The plant occupied a large tract of land along the waterfront in Oakmont. The brownfield that was left behind is now slated to be redeveloped as one of the first LEED for Neighborhood Development projects in the country. 34 acres of serene, waterfront living in a traditional neighborhood environment will include sidewalks, tree-lined streets, pocket parks, access to the river and diverse housing opportunities. The plan will connect 
the new riverfront housing with the existing Oakmont neighborhoods. The homes being built will be highly energy-efficient and incorporate green features throughout.
In addition to these proposed new homes, Oakmont has many beautiful older homes that have been well maintained and are filled with character. Massive oaks, solid construction and a tight-knit neighborhood lend Oakmont much of its charm. Since the homes are older, it is important to consider energy-efficiency, lead paint and radon testing as part of any purchase.
Want to find a home in Oakmont that is good for your family, wallet, health and planet?
Call Christa Ross from RE/MAX Select Realty, your certified green agent and RE/MAX green specialist at 724-309-1758 or visit my website at www.greenhomespgh.com.