Pittsburgh projects, including Lower Hill development, awarded $7.5M in state grants

A long-planned development in Pittsburgh’s Lower Hill District, a commercial development in Larimer and an industrial development project in Fairywood are among projects that were awarded $7.5 million in state grants, the city announced Tuesday.

Mayor Bill Peduto called the awards “critical investments” by Gov. Tom Wolf and the city’s delegation in Harrisburg.

The projects “will improve our city and promote equity in our neighborhoods,” Peduto said in the announcement.

The grants were awarded as part of the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program that funds regional improvement projects throughout the state.

About $3 million of the city’s award will be used for the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s long-planned Lower Hill District project.

The project is centered on 28 acres where the former Civic Arena stood and will be anchored by a planned 24-story, $200 million tower that will be the headquarters for First National Bank.

A 90,000-square-foot entertainment venue also is planned on the site in a partnership with Live Nation.

Plans also include a new emergency services facility, parking and commercial spaces.

The grant will help pay for a parking garage on the site, according to Pittsburgh Penguins Vice President and General Counsel Kevin Acklin.

The Penguins are leading the redevelopment of the site under an option agreement with the URA.

“The investment in structured parking will allow for us to break ground in 2021 on the FNB Financial tower and support parking demand for PPG Paints Arena and the entire Lower Hill development,” Acklin said.

Here are the other projects that will be funded with RACP grants:

• A commercial development in Larimer being done with a coalition including the Larimer Consensus Group, Kingsley Association, East Liberty Housing, Inc. and the city and URA’s Avenues of Hope redevelopment program. The $500,000 award will help redevelop commercial space in the Larimer Avenue business district.
• A Fairywood industrial development project was awarded $500,000 for site preparation work.
• Renovations including an elevator, heating and cooling system, plumbing and electrical upgrades totaling $500,000 at the Warrington Recreation Center in Beltzhoover.
• Demolition of the Jefferson Recreation Center in the North Side and construction of a new building, courts and green space at the center in a $500,000 award.
• Renovations of $1.5 million at the Brighton Heights Health Active Living Center for senior citizens. The grant will pay for an elevator, heating and cooling systems and electrical updates.
• Renovations of $1 million at Homewood Park that include new fields, lighting, stormwater management, an outdoor pool, stage and plaza.

URA officials didn’t immediately respond to requests seeking comment.