City Council Public Comments

February 27, 2019

Panther Hollow was one of Pittsburgh's first Italian neighborhoods. The early settlers, immigrants from the towns of Gamberale and Pizzoferrato in the Abruzzo region in Central Italy, arrived in the 1880s. In 1900, over 200 Italian immigrants lived in Panther Hollow, and in 1920, at the height of the Italian immigration experience, the number grew to 470.

The early settlers did not have easy access to other businesses, so the neighborhood became self-sufficient. There were two banks, six grocery stores, a travel company, a cow pasture, vegetable gardens, an outdoor bread oven, grape vineyards, and an Italian social club.

Albert "Al Bell" Bellisario passed away two months ago at the age of 94. His last wish to his family one week before he died was that they drive him through Panther Hollow. A cousin's last wish to his family before he passed away was that they scatter half of his ashes in Panther Hollow.

To those who support a roadway through Panther Hollow from Hazelwood Green to Pitt and CMU, Panther Hollow is only a stretch of land for economic gain. To all of us who love this neighborhood, Panther Hollow is sacred.

In 1963, the Panther Hollow community faced a defining moment. University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Edward Litchfield sought to build there a futuristic 21st Century Research Park. He aligned himself with the largest foundations, wealthiest banks and organizations, and city government. He made one major miscalculation – he underestimated the fighting spirit and courage of the Abruzzese.

My parents' generation moved into battle. They were led by men like Eugene "Jeep" DePasquale, Nicholas "Nicky Bull" Diulus, Gervasio "Jerry" Cafardi, Carl "Gimp" Giampolo, Anthony "Delly" DelVecchio, Raymond "Clark Kent" Veri, and Robert "Mort" Casciato. These men had fought in the jungles of the Pacific, the deserts of Africa, and the hills and valleys of Europe. In the battle for their community, they had support from the power of the women of Panther Hollow and from my grandparents' generation, the toughest of the tough that gave birth to America's Greatest Generation. Litchfield was defeated and within two years, he was ousted as chancellor.

My own generation is now faced with a choice for a defining moment. The same forces that supported Litchfield also support the roadway which will bring massive development and destroy this cultural treasure.

We deeply honor the legacy of our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents that enriched our lives and made us all proud to be Italian. Our generation will also triumph because these forces cannot defeat the spirit of the Abruzzese and their supporters.

Carlino Giampolo