Urban Redevelopment Authority looks to redevelop Carrick property

An abandoned property in Pittsburgh’s Carrick neighborhood is slated to be redeveloped for either affordable or mixed-income housing.

The city’s Urban Redevelopment Authority is accepting proposals from redevelopers through the end of the month.

The URA said it wants to transform the Brownsville Road property known as Berg Place into high-quality affordable housing or another mixed-income, mixed-use redevelopment that connects with the residential and business districts along the corridor.

Affordable housing is “strongly preferred,” the URA said.

City Councilman Anthony Coghill, D-Beechview, who represents the neighborhood, said he plans to host community meetings with Carrick residents once developers have submitted their proposals to identify a plan that matches community needs.

About 10 developers have shown interest so far, he said.

“I believe this will change Brownsville Road as we know it,” Coghill said. “I hope it sparks other developments there.”

Officials have been working to redevelop Berg Place for years, Coghill said. He could not immediately provide a timeline of when a developer could be selected or when work on the site could begin.

“It’s a beautiful piece of property that’s been abandoned and neglected for many years,” Coghill said. “I’m so glad we’re at the point where we can showcase it, start shopping it around to would-be developers with ideas. I’m very pleased with the progress.”

The URA is seeking a developer to transform the former Berg Place site in Carrick into a high quality “green” affordable housing or mixed-income, mixed-use redevelopment. Proposals are due on March 31, 2023.

Details: https://t.co/lUJY4TJ7E7 pic.twitter.com/zegJzOFHRb

— URA Pittsburgh (@urapgh) March 12, 2023

The 1.4-acre Berg Place was built between 1925 and 1935 for market-rate housing, according to the URA. It’s now an unoccupied, seven-building, 33-unit complex in “dilapidated condition,” the authority said.

Two fires on the property in 2016 led to the emergency demolition of a rear townhouse building, according to the URA.

The authority acquired the property in September and is now looking to sell it to a developer that would revitalize it. The URA board will need to approve the sale of the property.