'Tribute to Children' Project Underway Groundbreaking at Pittsburgh's North Shore Riverfront Park

'Tribute to Children' Project Underway Groundbreaking at Pittsburgh's North Shore Riverfront Park

New City Overlook Site to Feature Bronze Statue of Mister Rogers and 'Neighborhood of Make-Believe' Platform; Completion Expected in Fall 2008

PITTSBURGH, March 20 /PRNewswire/ -- A fitting 'Tribute to Children' everywhere is being constructed in the city where legendary children's television program, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, calls home -- Pittsburgh. On the day when the community is celebrating the late Fred Rogers' 80th birthday by wearing a sweater as a tribute to 'neighborliness,' local officials and leaders gather on a river bank at the mouth of the Ohio River to preview the architectural design and plans for this new destination.

Family Communications, Inc., the company created by Fred Rogers, received an initial gift from Mrs. Cordelia S. May to commission a bronze statue of her dear friend, Fred Rogers, following his death in 2003. Colcom Foundation, founded by Mrs. May, provided funding of more than $4 million to underwrite the development and completion of this entire project, as well as its perpetual maintenance. Family Communications will donate the 'Tribute to Children' site to the region under the auspices of the Sports & Exhibition Authority.

"Fred would be so pleased that people remember the most important thing we can do is to remind children of all ages what it is like to be a caring person and neighbor," said Joanne Rogers, Chair of Family Communications. "He was very fond of Pittsburgh's rivers as they represented a place to enjoy peaceful contemplation. Our family is grateful to Mrs. May, Colcom Foundation, the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County for this special site that will truly be a 'Tribute to Children' for decades to come," added Mrs. Rogers.

"In designing Tribute to Children, we wanted to be sure we remained true to the original vision of its composition and location," said Louis D. Astorino, chairman of Astorino, the architectural firm responsible for its design and construction. "The result is something that will not only become a regional treasure, but also a destination for national and international visitors for years to come," stated Astorino, who displayed water color renderings of the site design to those in attendance at the groundbreaking ceremony.

Elements: Bridge Pier, Neighborhood of Make-Believe, Bronze Statue & Great View

The site plan at Pittsburgh's North Shore Riverfront Park was previously approved by the city's planning authorities and the SEA, and was reviewed by other interest groups as well. It was also Mrs. May's hope to honor a lifetime of Fred's work with children by having as many people as possible enjoy this public tribute.

Pre-construction will commence during the next few weeks with site preparation followed by removal of a middle section of the bridge pier that will be re-constructed to accommodate the unique design. The project is expected to be completed and unveiled in fall 2008 in conjunction with Pittsburgh's 250th anniversary celebration.

The development will feature a walk around platform -- measuring approximately 96 feet by 59 feet -- and will encompass the old Manchester Bridge pier that has been abandoned since 1970. It will feature a floor design patterned from the studio floor in Mister Rogers' Neighborhood known as the famed 'Neighborhood of Make-Believe.'

From the landside, plans call for visitors to enter 'Tribute to Children' from the street sidewalk and be able to walk around and through a 'keyhole' design in the bridge pier that will feature riverside views of the statue, the river and the city skyline.

On the site's riverside, a bronze statue of Mister Rogers in a seated position and tying his shoe will measure 10 feet 10 inches high. The statue will face the city skyline from where his "beautiful day in the neighborhood" message resonated internationally for more than four decades at the Pittsburgh studio of public television station WQED. Internationally renowned sculptor Robert Berks, famous for his memorable statues of Albert Einstein, John F. Kennedy, and a beloved former mayor of Pittsburgh, Richard Caligiuri, is in the process of completing the Rogers statue.

Imagine Pittsburgh -- Tribute to a Great Neighborhood

"There's only one city in the world known for being the home of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," said Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. "Pittsburgh is the home of many innovators like Fred Rogers who have left behind indelible impressions with the rest of the world that we live and work in a great place. This is truly a tribute to the many people who knew Fred Rogers and to so many children throughout our country who grew up watching his Neighborhood. In our 250th year, we are privileged to make this addition to our cityscape and to the values of children and family that make Pittsburgh America's Most Livable City," added Ravenstahl.

"Celebrating Fred Rogers' 80th birthday on the occasion of breaking ground for such a tribute means that he will, in fact, always be a part of our region's landscape of great places to visit," said Dan Onorato, Allegheny County Chief Executive. "On behalf of the region, and the joint role of the County and City on such priceless assets, I thank everyone who has been involved in creating such an attraction that was made possible with no public funding," added Onorato.

"We are very excited about what we hope will become a lasting reminder of Fred Rogers' lifelong commitment to enhancing the lives of children," said Bill Isler, President of Family Communications, Inc. "The generosity of Mrs. May and Colcom Foundation is making this gift to the region possible. Fred Rogers would not want this to be a tribute to him, but to all of the children -- past, present and future -- and to remind us all of what it takes to be a caring neighbor," concluded Isler.

About Family Communications, Inc.

Founded by Fred Rogers, Family Communications, Inc. (FCI) is a non-profit company that creates a wide range of materials dedicated to young children, their families and those who support them. Now in its 40th year, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood is the longest running program on the PBS television network. From its roots as producer of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, FCI has expanded its educational programs to design materials in many media that support healthy emotional, social and intellectual growth at all ages, and that embody the philosophy and values of Fred Rogers.

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Source: Family Communications, Inc.

CONTACT: David Newell of Family Communications, Inc., +1-412-687-2990;
or Bob Butter for Family Communications, Inc., +1-412-736-6186

NOTE TO EDITORS: Interviews are available with Joanne Rogers, officials from Family Communications and Astorino, and local officials and authorities involved in this project. Water color renderings of the planned design for this project are available in jpeg format via CD or e-mail transmittal.

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