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Community members urge council to protect Freeman Family Farm on North Side; accuse potential closure for redevelopment
Summary
A public commenter said the Freeman Family Farm on the North Side is at risk of closure or redevelopment and asked council to intervene and preserve the space for local food access and programs.
PITTSBURGH — A speaker identified as Chief Ikuhana Halmikina used public comment time at the June 24 City Council meeting to urge council members to protect the Freeman Family Farm (1426 Jenica Street, North Side, Manchester) from closure or redevelopment and to oppose what the speaker described as efforts by the Urban Redevelopment Authority or developers to displace the farm.
The speaker framed the farm as an essential community resource providing food access, programming for children and families, and opportunities for learning and community-building. The comments included an appeal directed at Council President Daniel Lavelle; the speaker said: “This farm is essential and must remain in the community.” The speaker asked council members to support the farm and the elder Lisa Freeman for her stewardship.
Other speakers from the public comment period supported protecting the farm and raised related neighborhood concerns, including dust from nearby truck activity and possible property-management issues at nearby residences; Jevon F. Brown specifically asked officials to examine truck coverings to limit dust.
Council response and procedure
The council took the comments and entered them into the public record. The transcript does not show a council motion or formal action at the June 24 meeting to acquire or preserve the farm property; speakers asked council to act and to support program continuity.
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All statements above paraphrase or quote speakers from the June 24 meeting transcript.
