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Ravenstahl, Luke R.

CANDIDATE DETAILS

Affiliation

Democratic

Name

Luke R. Ravenstahl

Address

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania , United States

None

Website

[Link]

Born

February 06, 1980

Died

Still Living (44 years)

Contributor

Scott³

Last Modifed

Old LW
Apr 10, 2010 03:59pm

Tags

Divorced -

Info

Luke Robert Ravenstahl

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl became the 59th Mayor of the City of Pittsburgh, America's Most Livable City, on September 1, 2006. The 27-year-old Pittsburgh native - who holds the distinction of being the youngest mayor of any major U.S. city - took office upon the death of Mayor Bob O'Connor. Mayor Ravenstahl's ascent to the top of Pittsburgh government began less than three years earlier when he became the youngest member ever elected to Pittsburgh City Council. Just two years later, his colleagues unanimously voted him Council President. In the May 2007 primary election, the people of Pittsburgh displayed their confidence in Mayor Ravenstahl's leadership by electing him by the largest percentage of votes in the City's 250-year history.

Mayor Ravenstahl recognizes that the City's "most livable" designation is due to the unique characteristics of its 88 neighborhoods and has put neighborhoods first while working to attract and retain residents and businesses. He has brought financial stability to the City and has introduced and implemented initiatives that are tackling quality of life issues while working hard to resolve some of the City's long-standing and enigmatic issues. He has embraced technology, helping to bring Pittsburgh into the 21st century as a tech and research business hub and a national leader in Green Building.

As Mayor, he is addressing quality of life issues with a "neighborhoods first" approach to revitalization. Immediately after taking office, Mayor Ravenstahl launched the 311 Response Line to streamline communication between City government and its residents, increasing efficiencies in City departments and improving customer service. Mayor Ravenstahl has also doubled the investment in the O'Connor administration's "Redd Up" campaign to make Pittsburgh one of the cleanest and safest cities in the nation. He led successful efforts to buy back $64 million worth of tax liens on 11,000 parcels of properties at a fraction of the cost. By regaining control of these tax liens, the City has taken a giant leap in eliminating blight caused by vacant properties in numerous neighborhoods.

Mayor Ravenstahl has introduced new methods of eliminating and deterring crime in neighborhoods. He is changing the face of the police force by reinstating the beat cop program. Through the increased presence of beat cops patrolling the streets, Mayor Ravenstahl has bridged the communication gap between communities and the police force - and restored the feelings of safety and pride experienced by residents who know their neighborhood cops.

Mayor Ravenstahl is a change agent leading Pittsburgh to fiscal stability and working to make the City more business-friendly. He initiated and hosted a Mayors' Summit, calling together his peers from throughout Pennsylvania to discuss pension problems straining city budgets nationwide. Under his leadership, the City is securing millions of dollars of investment and development. Mayor Ravenstahl has brought transparency and accountability to the City's permitting and planning departments by streamlining the permitting process from paper-based to web-based.

Strongly committed to retaining the best and brightest of the City of Pittsburgh, he has organized the Propel Pittsburgh Commission to empower young people to take ownership of the region's future ' and he has created a Blue Ribbon Economic Development team to make Pittsburgh the most business-friendly city in America. Mayor Ravenstahl's financial foresight and fiscally strong budget have led to a $42 million budget surplus, reinforcing his commitment to lead Pittsburgh to financial stability.

While at the table with business leaders and other elected officials, Mayor Ravenstahl fought to resolve previously unsettled issues. His work to build a new multi-purpose arena for the City and the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team has led to a $290 million development opportunity for the Hill District, while also keeping the Penguins in Pittsburgh. He worked tirelessly to save the historic Pittsburgh Brewing Company, bringing it out of bankruptcy and reopening it for business. In less than a year, Mayor Ravenstahl built consensus with disputing parties for development of property known as Oakhill in the City's Hill District, accomplishing something no leader in over a decade had been able to tackle. By doing so, residents of the Hill District have a voice in the development of Oakhill and the University of Pittsburgh can expand its sports facilities, furthering its competitiveness as one of the world�s top universities.

Mayor Ravenstahl remains a champion of neighborhoods and a pioneer in moving Pittsburgh into the 21st century. As a councilman, he introduced a resolution calling for new controls on council spending and led the charge to move forward the City's downtown Wi-Fi plan that provides two free hours of wireless Internet access. Mayor Ravenstahl has also kept a strong commitment to Pittsburgh by lending time to various boards and authorities, including City of Pittsburgh Municipal Pension Fund, the Firemen's Relief and Pension Fund, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and Carnegie Library.

Mayor Ravenstahl was born and raised in Pittsburgh's North Side, where his father continues to serve as a district judge. In 1998 he graduated from North Catholic High School, where he had excelled as both student and athlete - serving as president of student council and captain of the football and baseball teams. Mayor Ravenstahl continued his sports career at Washington & Jefferson College, where he served as captain of the football team and set the college�s record for career field goals. In 2002, he graduated with honors and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. Mayor Ravenstahl and his wife, Erin, now reside in Pittsburgh's Summer Hill neighborhood and are members of Holy Wisdom Parish.

[Link]

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