For a number of Pittsburgh's cultural institutions facing a recession and the ongoing state budget crisis, the Allegheny Regional Asset District may be the only place left to turn for critical funding.

That was the prevailing sentiment yesterday at the RAD board's first public budget hearing for 2010, as leaders of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, the National Aviary, and the city and county parks made their annual funding requests.

"This year, funding from almost every source is threatened," said Barbara Mistick, president and director of Carnegie Library. The public library, which is seeking a 10 percent increase in RAD funding, she said, is on the brink of fiscal disaster and may be forced to make drastic cuts in services and close some branches if it gets no increase in revenue.

The Carnegie Library is seeking about $19.4 million in RAD funding, compared to the $16.7 million it was allocated last year. The library made staffing and service cuts early this year, and if they receive what they requested additional cuts will be unnecessary, Ms. Mistick said.

"We are really operating our system in the culture of scarcity," she said.

That was almost the same thing Barbara Baker, the Pittsburgh zoo's president and chief executive officer, told the board as she requested about $3.3 million for operating costs.

"We are already projecting to have no state funding in next year's budget," she said. And as the summer draws closer to the end, she added, the zoo will most likely be faced with a cash-flow problem in the low-traffic months from November through March.

Pat Mangus, executive director of the National Aviary, also cited the budget impasse, speculating that the aviary's $180,000 allocation from the state most likely will not be coming this year.

In addition, Mr. Mangus said, the aviary has seen increased operating costs in recent years, particularly in the cost of water after the city started charging the North Side facility about $125,000 for water annually. The aviary is seeking about $1.2 million in funding.

The city Parks Department is seeking about $5 million for its operating budget and $850,000 in capital improvement projects, including a $250,000 allocation for the creation of Grandview Scenic Byway Park on Mount Washington, said Director Duane Ashley.

Mr. Ashley said the park, which was declared the city's fifth park by Mayor Luke Ravenstahl in 2007, is about 240 acres, but it could grow to as much as 400 acres if the project to develop it receives RAD funding.

"It's currently a regional park, but not a RAD-funded park," he said.

Meanwhile, Allegheny County Parks Director Andrew Baechle asked for $17.5 million in operating budget funding and about $1.2 million for capital improvement projects.

Created in 1994, RAD funds major assets like the Carnegie Museums, Phipps Conservatory and other arts and cultural groups. Since then, the agency has allocated more than $1 billion to a number of organizations from half of the county's sales tax. It also provides $13.4 million each year to pay debt service on PNC Park and Heinz Field.

For 2009, the board adopted an $80.3 million budget in which it froze operating support for 90 groups and organizations. It also has been withholding 10 percent of the grants because of falling sales tax revenues, a measure it will revisit next month.

For 2010, the RAD board has received funding requests totaling $86 million. The board is expected to release a preliminary grant budget in October, which will be open for public comment for about two months. The board will adopt a final budget on or around Dec. 1.