SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) Analysis
Conducted May 22, 2018 by the
Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee
Who can we ask to join us?
People with school age children
citizens and people with mobility issues
P.O.C./Hispanic/Asian
Other Neighborhoods
Business communities, people who work in FH
New community members
Strengths
Tree City-great trees
Sense of community & inclusion
Access to other communities/geographic location
Close to Pgh but far enough
Variety of affordable housing with character
Community assets: pool, dog parks, parks
Sense of pride in community and homes
Commitment to the environment (new building)
On major bus lines
Fliver
Volunteer fire department/EMS Community services
-Best fire depart and police
-EMS station in borough
Great public works
Community activities-chili cook off, community day, hayride
New Campus: library, fields, borough building
History of innovation-Westinghouse
Friendly people
Wildlife, birds etc (dogs)
Fiscally stable
Farmers market, garden clubs
Weaknesses
Business district-accessibility-lack of
Ardmore blvd-divides community-traffic speed
Aging infrastructure (sewers)
Strained relationship w public services-Fire & EMS
School district-public perception
-Taxation
Out of room to grow/development room
Downtown Business Area(size of available space)
Parking
Adjacent communities not as “well off”
Zoning issues-buildings/apartments
Flooding on Ardmore, Cherry Valley
Storm water management
Changing demographics-age, etc
Availability of jobs
Communication
Opportunities
Revitalization of East End of Pittsburgh
Amazon HQ2
Pittsburgh is hot
Green building leadership
Recharge FH downtown
Creative ways to revitalize homes
Ardmore Blvd median-no other town in America has one
Emerald necklace/trail map/trail improvements
Public relations and marketing of FH
Rejuvenate public parks
Marketing business district around entrepreneurship
Review Business Space
Capitalize on proximity to Pittsburgh
-Promote Borough
More Community Events
-Light up night
New Neighbor welcome kit
Marketing kit for realtors
Effective use of social media/website
Fracking ordinance
More public Art-central mural
Rebuild CDC
Borough resolution for climate action requirements
Threats
Fracking in Braddock
Blight in neighboring communities
Further decline in school district perception
Resident apathy/loss of sense of community
More vacant properties on Ardmore
Increase speed on Ardmore-dealings with Pendot and state
Relationships between public agencies and entities
Storm water management-sewer-acid mine drainage
Possible erosion of taxbase
Failure to plan for resilience and adaptability
Poor relationships with neighboring communities
Weaknesses
Business district-accessibility-lack of
Ardmore blvd-divides community-traffic speed
Aging infrastructure (sewers)
Strained relationship w public services-Fire & EMS
School district-public perception
-Taxation
Out of room to grow/development room
Downtown Business Area(size of available space)
Parking
Adjacent communities not as “well off”
Zoning issues-buildings/apartments
Flooding on Ardmore, Cherry Valley
Storm water management
Changing demographics-age, etc
Availability of jobs
Communication