South Side : Development News

Oxbridge at South Side, a new $2.4 million 8-unit townhome project taking shape along Josephine St., is hosting an open house, tours and Palate Partners wine tasting on May 21 at 6:00 p.m.

The 1,800-square-foot four-story townhomes feature two- and three-bedrooms, city views, 15-foot ceilings, and 2-car garages.

“People said it was the most difficult site to develop in Pittsburgh," says developer  Sola Talabi, referring to the steep elevation and absence of infrastructure. “We developed value engineered solutions to make it cost one-hundred thousand less than we had thought.”

Architect is Zanesville, Ohio-based Eric Merling. Howard Hanna Real Estate Services is marketing the townhomes, which start at  $349,000; buyers taxes are covered for first year.

“This project has a story behind it. It speaks to what Pittsburgh is about, as far as reclaiming what’s abandoned and forgotten and making it into something. A lot of care was taken to make it fit within the neighborhood,” adds Talabi, a Lagos, Nigeria native who studied engineering and business at CMU. “I wanted to design townhouses you couldn’t find in Pittsburgh. We pulled in European themes. The balcony is a main feature. We wanted a style that stood out and also fit in.”

For Talabi—who worked as a nuclear engineer with Westinghouse—Oxbridge is more than a residential development. “A lot of people see Pittsburgh as an old forgotten steel city—that’s not what we are. With a little bit of creativity we can be one the greatest cities in the world. That’s my inspiration.”

Writer: Jennifer Baron
Sources: Sola Talabi, Oxbridge Development: Lynne Bingham, Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Image courtesy Howard Hanna

A $1.35 million U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service grant will support the construction of recreational docks at the planned South Shore Riverfront Park along the Monongahela River.

Located on the South Side between 25th and 29th/Hot Metal Sts., the $10.5 million park—designed by Downtown-based Environmental Planning & Design—will feature waterfront access, boat docking, an amphitheatre, three acres of green space, and trail linkages and signage.

The largest-of-its-kind received in Pennsylvania, the grant will support the design and construction of a permanent tie-up facility that will accommodate 17 transient recreational vessels and enable boaters to access SouthSide Works and the surrounding neighborhood along the river. The project will also provide community access to the river and recreational activities.

The three-phase project will begin this year with grading and demolition. The project will also involve the construction of river landing components with new ramps and stairways. “There will be uninterrupted trail service during the construction,” says Susheela Nemani-Stanger, with the URA. “The new portion will connect with the existing park at 25th Street.” Visitors can now access the site’s newly renovated Hot Metal Pedestrian Bridge by bike or foot.

Expected to be completed in 2011, the park will feature interpretive signage and historic markers linking the Three Rivers Heritage Trail system to the Great Allegheny Passage, and will allow for the future expansion of waterfront activities.

The URA is seeking $2.5 million to complete project financing. Project manager for the park’s first phase is the Soffer Organization; the URA is managing subsequent phases. Development partners include South Side Local Development Company, Riverlife, and City of Pittsburgh Department of Planning.

Writer: Jennifer Baron
Source: Susheela Nemani-Stanger, URA

Image courtesy URA

Move over meter maids, there’s a creative new use for parking spaces.

On April 24, the Office of Public Art, Community Design Center of Pittsburgh and Riverlife will host a free brainstorming session for National PARK(ing) Day. Conceived in 2005 by San Francisco-based art collective REBAR and sponsored by The Trust for Public Land, PARK(ing) Day is an annual global event that invites artists, activists and citizens to transform parking spots into temporary public parks.

During the meeting—which takes place at 6:00p.m. at the Brew House Association—participants will rethink how streets are used, discuss ways to get involved with the event’s Pittsburgh debut, view project examples, and examine the initiative’s relevance to issues facing local communities. “It’s most effective when people see images. We’ll cultivate ideas to see how many people want to get involved and where next steps go—like working with the city on permits,” says Emily Craig, with Riverlife, who hopes to develop partnerships with local universities.

In Pittsburgh, PARK(ing) Day will coincide with a Land Trust Alliance rally on September 19, when five Convention Center parking spaces will become public park sites Downtown.

In other green space news, the final wayfinding sign for the city’s 22-mile riverfront trail network was unveiled on April 21.  The 89 trail-finding signs—supported by a $52,000 Federal Transportation Enhancement Grant—direct cyclists and trail-goers to trail entrances and motorists to free trail-head parking. Signs also direct cyclists from Schenley to Frick Parks.

The circular shaped signs were designed via a collaborative public/private partnership between the city, Friends of the Riverfront and Riverlife. Advocacy group Bike Pittsburgh on sign placement.

Writer: Jennifer Baron
Source: Emily Craig, Riverlife

Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), a national retail cooperative specializing in outdoor gear and apparel, will open a second store in Pittsburgh during the spring of 2009.

Located in Settlers Ridge Town Center off the Parkway West, the new 26,000-square-foot, two-story REI store will also house a seasonal gear rental department, bike shop and community space. The energy-efficient store will feature bike storage, shower facilities and an outdoor recreation center.

“We have 12,000  active members within fifteen miles of Settler’s Ridge, and that’s without a store there,” says Bethany Nielson, with REI. “We have an active membership base with the success of our other Pittsburgh location. We’re looking forward to deepening our relationships with area organizations.”

REI will employ approximately 60 people at the new location; hiring clinics will occur two months prior to the store’s opening. In 2007, REI provided $21,000 in financial contributions and/or gear donations to Pittsburgh-area nonprofits dedicated to outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship.

Founded in Seattle in 1938 by a group of Pacific Northwest mountaineers, REI entered the Pennsylvania market with a Conshohocken store in 1991. In 2005, REI opened a LEED-certified Southside Works store. The company opened an eastern region distribution center in Bedford in 2007.

Developers of the 600,000-square-foot Settlers Ridge retail center are Charlotte-based Faison Enterprises and CBL & Associates Properties.

In other retail news, L.L. Bean will open a 36,000-square foot store in Ross Park Mall.

Writer: Jennifer Baron
Source: Bethany Nielson, REI

Image courtesy Dave Krieger

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), in partnership with the PA Department of Community and Economic Development and the City, have awarded $402,500 in Mainstreets Pittsburgh funds to twelve neighborhood business districts.

Funds must be used to support activities that revitalize local business districts, stimulate economic growth and impact targeted areas via measurable criteria. Mainstreets districts are also eligible for technical assistance provided by the URA, PA Downtown Center, Community Design Center of Pittsburgh, and Community Technical Assistance Center.

“The six-year program moves communities from reliance on public funding to a more diverse funding structure, so they can become more self-sustaining through a variety of mechanisms,” says Megan Stearman, with the URA. “Neighborhoods are selected because of their readiness—they have existing organizations in place, can steward new programs and have been through community planning.”
 
Grants will support community events in Hazelwood, marketing efforts in the West End, a visioning plan in Mt. Washington, and the Clean, Green & Screen initiative in Friendship. “Many neighborhoods are thinking about the built environment in terms of crime prevention,” says Stearman. “The South Side is managing the success they’ve had, and Lawrenceville is in the unique position to learn from that.” South Side and Lawrenceville—both in the final phase of Mainstreets—are launching neighborhood beautification strategies.

As the URA’s new Mainstreets Pittsburgh coordinator, Josette Fitzgibbons will manage relationships with district awardees and funders, and develop educational programs for neighborhood organizations and businesses. Since 2002, Mainstreets districts have stimulated $94 million in total investment, recruited 558 new businesses and created 3,200 new jobs.

Writer: Jennifer Baron
Source: Megan Stearman, URA

Image courtesy Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh

Commerce Court, an eight-story, 336,000-square-foot office property located in Station Square, has surpassed the ninety-percent occupancy mark. Within the past month, Commerce Court—which also houses MARC USA, WESCO and Ansoft—has signed 93,941 square feet of new leases.

CardWorks Servicing, a leading servicer of credit cards, national debit cards and pre-funded cards, has signed a ten-year lease for 58,000 square feet. Paris-based Alcatel-Lucent, a leader in fixed, mobile and converged broadband networking and IP technologies, applications and services with operations in 130 countries, will occupy 36,430 square feet.

Increasing Commerce Court’s occupancy from sixty-three to ninety-one percent, the two leases reinforce the property's stability within the class-A office market. “It’s a great, centrally located spot with a large floor plate and inexpensive parking. It’s close to Downtown, and to restaurant, hotel and retail amenities,” says Dan Sliger, with CB Richard Ellis/Pittsburgh, who represents Commerce Court.

In July, CardWorks will consolidate its existing Pittsburgh outbound call and inbound customer care centers at Commerce Court. The $1.8 million state-of-the art project represents one of 2007’s top ten real estate deals in greater Pittsburgh. Once built out, CardWorks’ one-story space will feature 400 workstations. Architect is KSBA.

“We started in Pittsburgh in 1999 with sixty people, and now we’re close to three hundred. We plan to add another fifty-six people in the next three years. We looked at locations outside the state, but really wanted to stay within Pittsburgh—it was the quality of the people here,” says Kevin Begley, with CardWorks. “Station Square provides us with exactly what we need, and has the eateries and the Sheraton for our clients. It’s, safe, walkable and near the bus and T.”

Writer: Jennifer Baron
Sources: Dan Sliger, CB Richard Ellis/Pittsburgh; Kevin Begley, CardWorks Servicing

Image courtesy CB Richard Ellis/Pittsburgh




 
 

St. Casimir condos, housed in a turn-of-the century former schoolhouse on the South Side, now has nine of its 17 units sold.

The $1.5 million project at the corner of S. 22nd and Jane Sts.was converted into upscale lofts by New York City-based developer David Forbes. Lynne Bingham with Howard Hanna Real Estate Services says that two additional unit sales are pending.

Remaining units sell for $135,000 and $175,000. “The building has so many amenities,” says Bingham, citing the Romanesque Revival building’s barbecue deck, free guest suite, fitness facilities and twenty-four hour maintenance. The building is drawing a mix of empty nesters and professionals, she adds. "Young first-time homebuyers are paying basically what they were in rent. Now they own in the hottest part of town. People used to urban living love it—those who lived in a four hundred-square-foot space in New York are impressed with the size." Through February, a $10,000 upgraded kitchen is included with the $175,000 unit. Units range in size from 750 to 950 square feet.

St. Casimir was a perfect fit for Cynthia McGinnis, an engineering manager with Westinghouse. “I live in Greensburg and we didn’t want to part with our home, so we started thinking about alternatives. Westinghouse is moving to Cranberry in 2009 and we weren't interested in looking there," says McGinnis. “I was drawn to Casimir for a number of reasons—the old building, layouts, charm, and the South Side has so much to offer. I just couldn’t get the building and the units out of my head. Now we’re able to do more Downtown.”


Writer: Jennifer Baron
Source: Lynne Bingham, Howard Hanna; Cynthia McGinnis, Westinghouse

Image courtesy Howard Hanna

The PA Department of Community and Economic Development has released $200,000 to fund The Strategic Community Planning in Pittsburgh Project, the city’s first comprehensive and coordinated plan.

To identify common strengths, challenges and issues, more effectively allocate limited resources and jumpstart neighborhood improvements, the project will combine the city’s 90 neighborhoods into 16 sectors. Next steps will involve gathering data such as population, physical conditions and amenities, in order to create a snapshot of Pittsburgh's 90 neighborhoods.

“It’s the first of its kind, and will be phased out over four years. We need to work toward a common goal and vision. This has been expressed by a lot of community groups,” says city planning director Noor Ismail.

A consortium of government agencies, technical assistance providers, and foundations will conduct studies to ascertain best scenarios for community development. Neighborhood stakeholders will develop a vision for individual sectors, so that business districts, parks and transportation corridors are used more effectively. The plan will also address infrastructure, economic development, housing, and mixed-use and conservation projects.

“A lot of other parallel planning efforts will feed into this—there needs to be some streamlining. For example, infrastructure does not end in one neighborhood. We need to look at wider areas,” adds Ismail, citing the city’s new bike-pedestrian and ADA efforts. “We’re an older built-out city. There’s a connotation that planning is not necessary anymore but it’s tied into quality of life.”

Writer: Jennifer Baron
Source: Noor Ismail, Pittsburgh planning director

Image courtesy Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development

The PA Department of Community and Economic Development has released $200,000 to fund The Strategic Community Planning in Pittsburgh Project, the city’s first comprehensive and coordinated plan.

To identify common strengths, challenges and issues, more effectively allocate limited resources and jumpstart neighborhood improvements, the project will combine the city’s 90 neighborhoods into 16 sectors. Next steps will involve gathering data about population, physical conditions and amenities, in order to create a snapshot of the 90 neighborhoods.

“It’s the first of its kind, and will be phased out into four years. We need to work toward a common goal and vision. This need has been expressed by a lot of community groups,” says city planning director Noor Ismail.

A consortium of government agencies, technical assistance providers, and foundations will conduct studies to ascertain best scenarios for community development. Neighborhood stakeholders will develop a vision for individual sectors, so that business districts, parks and transportation corridors are used more effectively. The plan will also address infrastructure, economic development, housing, and mixed-use and conservation projects.

“A lot of other parallel planning efforts will feed into this—there needs to be some streamlining. For example, infrastructure does not end in one neighborhood. We need to look at wider areas,” adds Ismail, citing the city’s new bike-pedestrian and ADA efforts. “We’re an older built-out city. There’s a connotation that planning is not necessary anymore but it’s tied into quality of life.”

Writer: Jennifer Baron
Source: Noor Ismail, Pittsburgh planning director


Image courtesy Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development

A new $48 million mixed-use development is coming to SouthSide Works. Spearheaded by DOC-Economou, the project will feature a 140-room upscale hotel, for-sale condos, a world-class spa, and event, office and retail space.

In addition to 23 private residences ranging in size from 1,800 to 4,700 square feet, the live-work development will house an 18,000-square-foot event center, 20,000 square feet of riverfront restaurant and retail space and an 8,000-square-foot, two-story ballroom boasting panoramic views of Downtown. Condo residents will have access to the hotel’s many amenities and services.

“It will be on the scale of a five-star hotel—the best thing to hit Pittsburgh and certainly one of the few hotels with these types of mixed-use amenities,” says Phil Hugh, with DOC-Economou. “We couldn’t move fast enough when we heard Soffer was interested in doing a hotel. They’ve done a tremendous job revitalizing the old steel mill. It's a city within a city.”

The complex calls for a variety of upscale eateries, such as a sushi restaurant and steakhouse. “We’re doing projects all over the country—Pittsburgh is my hometown. We like that we can give back and create jobs from a hospitality and career perspective,” adds Hugh, who says that 400 temporary and full-time construction jobs and 100 hotel and hospitality jobs will be created. “We’re working in concert with SouthSide Works to deliver the best possible project to Pittsburgh.”

The project will break ground in March of 2008 and open during the summer of 2009.

Writer: Jennifer Baron
Source: Phil Hugh, DOC-Economou

Image courtesy of Economou Partners

A total of $2.7 million for Allegheny County projects was released on Dec. 6 by the state’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). The funding is part of a $39.4 million package designed to help revitalize communities and protect natural resources statewide.

Two of the largest awards went to the Urban Redevlopment Authority and Sports and Exhibition Authority for the further development of Pittsbrugh’s urban green spaces. Upcoming work on the $10.5 million South Shore Riverfront Park will involve constructing a stage and water feature, completing ADA access and installing park furniture and utilities.

Plans for the $8 million Convention Center Riverfront Park call for new docks, plaza space and trails connecting the Strip District and the Point. “It’s to make the area between the roadway and river more useable and create access to the river,” says Mary Contoro with the Sports and Exhibition Authority. Funds will also be used for new greenery, benches and lighting. Contoro, who expects designs to be completed by LaQuatra Bonci Associates by the summer of 2008, says the project will take eight months to construct.

A number of projects involving outdoor amenities in Allegheny County also received grants, including $200,000 for improvements to Hartwood Acres Mansion, $80,000 for the redevelopment of Library St. in Braddock and $162,000 to build a soccer field and walking trail in Green Tree Borough Park. Pine Township Community Center will use $250,000 to construct exercise facilities and the Port Authority of Allegheny County was awarded $200,000 to build Gateway Station Plaza.


Writer: Jennifer Baron
Sources: Mary Contoro, Sports and Exhibition Authority; Christine Novak, DCNR

Image courtesy of Sports and Exhibition Authority

Clear Story Studio, home to three emerging companies whose owners are all under 35, is opening on Dec. 13 at 1931 Sidney St. on the South Side.

With a moniker that reflects the studio’s dramatic architecture and each company’s creative sensibility, the 6,000-square-foot space houses five offices, an enclosed shop and a gourmet theatrical kitchen.  

Home to lighting design company Clear Story, Inc., design-build firm Matthew Clifford & Company and independent media financing company Headwater Films, the space embodies a collaborative spirit. “With the synergy and interaction between us and our clients, and being in the same building, there’s a reciprocal crossover that happens,” says Rob Long, whose company Clear Story is production manager/technical director for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s 2008 International Festival of Firsts.

Studio designer Matt Clifford recently completed the Sprout Fund’s new offices and is designing Phantom of the Attic's new Oakland store. On the sustainable front, 35% percent of the studio’s interior framing was reclaimed, doors were culled from Construction Junction and 90% of the lighting is dimmer controlled. The studio features 12- and 21-foot ceilings, resurfaced concrete, natural linoleum, and post-consumer elements. Built as a horse stable—possibly for a funeral home—the space once housed a grocery warehouse and plumbing showroom.

"Having the energy of people egaging in creative projects is refreshing," says Headwater Films' Henry Simonds, who is busy producing a documentary about Florida State University Seminoles' Bobby Bowden, the NCAA's all-time winningest Division I coach.

Calling it “a space where people are inspired to think differently," Long—whose clients include the Festival of Lights and Andy Warhol Museum—hopes the studio’s output can elevate the perception of Pittsburgh artists both at home and abroad.

Writer: Jennifer Baron
Source: Rob Long, Matt Clifford and Henry Simonds, Clear Story Studio

Image courtesy of Rob Long

At noon today, the Hot Metal Pedestrian Bridge will be dedicated on Pittsburgh’s South Side. Visitors are invited to walk or bike across the bridge and attend a reception at REI at SouthSide Works. The $10 million project, managed by the URA, creates a critical connection in the Great Allegheny Passage, a 150-mile trail that will connect Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C..

“The Hot Metal Pedestrian/Bike Bridge is an essential commuter connection between Oakland, Pittsburgh Technology Center and the South Side neighborhood. For recreational activities, the bridge extends the riverfront trail system eliminating roadway crossing and creating an uninterrupted loop for biking, walking and blading,” says Chris Fulton, with Soffer Organization. “Visitors from other urban areas envy our riverfront parks and trails as a quality of life amenity enabling easy access to urban outdoor experiences. As an avid trail user, I am delighted the Hot Metal bridge connection will open on Wednesday.”

The conversion of the 321-foot railroad bridge involved removing lead-based paint, and building a switchback ramp on the south side and a bridge over Second Ave. connecting to Eliza Furnace Trail. All areas feature new railing, lighting and painting. “The most stunning aspect is, coming from Washington D.C., the bridge gives you your first glimpse of Pittsburgh. It’s an Emerald City type of moment when you suddenly see this awesome view of Pittsburgh in the distance,” says Linda Boxx, with the Allegheny Trail Alliance.
 
To secure funding and complete designs, the URA partnered with the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny Trail Alliance, and Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. PB Americas, Inc., served as project designer; contractor was Brayman Construction Corporation. Trumbull Corporation oversaw construction management and inspection.


Writer: Jennifer Baron
Sources: Chris Fulton, Soffer Organization; Linda Boxx, Allegheny Trail Alliance; John Coyne, URA

Housing and commercial developments in three western Pennsylvania counties received $4.8 million from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), as part of seven state grants that were awarded on Nov. 19.

Development organizations in Allegheny, Butler and Westmoreland counties received a total of $4,828,500 as part of the PHFA's Homeownership Choice Program. The funding is designed to support the development or rehabilitation of single-family homes in urban communities. Grants will also support the rehabilitation of the upper floors of storefronts located along commercial corridors of urban neighborhoods and core communities that will create rental or ownership housing opportunities.

“It's competitive funding. We’re looking for impact projects to get the turn around started or to continue it. We felt these would have the most impact in these communities. ,” says Brian Hudson, with the PHFA. “These had the strongest need, they’re all ready to go projects. A lot have been in the works for a long time, and there are multiple funding partners. We’re looking for leveraging and partnerships.” Hudson says the awarded projects were able to successfully leverage additional funding, which is a key criteria considered by the PHFA.

The renovation of a 10,600 square-foot historic bakery in Homestead, which will feature 16 residential units and 6 commercial spaces, received $480,000. Four additional Allegheny County projects received PHFA grants: the Beneficial Building on the Southside ($250,000); The Lennox Building in Forest Hills ($260,500); Wylie Homes in the Hill District ($1,058,500); and a revitalization plan for Homestead and Munhall.

In the Westmoreland County town of Jeannette, the South Sixth St. Neighborhood Revitalization Project received more than $1 million. Franklin Court Homes, located in Butler, PA, received $335,000 in funding.

Writer: Jennifer Baron
Source: Brian Hudson, PHFA

Soffer Organization is planning Quantum V, the latest addition in its 34-acre SouthSide Works.

The 160,000 square-foot office building will feature five, 30,000 square-foot levels and offices with nine-foot ceilings.

Part of the redesign of a block along S. Water St. that will also feature a 140-room, five-star boutique hotel, for-sale condos and Hofbrauhaus, Quantum V will be constructed near South Shore Riverfront Park.

"The first floor can be a traditional office layout or signature restaurant with riverfront dining. We're in the process of pre-leasing right now," says Steven Kasunich, with Soffer. Plans call for up to 30,000 square feet for first-floor retail.

"Retail is doing very well here; we're ninety-eight percent occupied on the retail level. For some merchants, Pittsburgh is their best location. We're ninety-five percent cccupied as far as offices, and we have 84 units of lofts and flats that are well leased," says Fulton, describing SouthSide Works. Soffer is currently evaluating design proposals for Quantum V. 

“We'd like to get a headquarters type of lease in there before we break ground,” says Scott Astorino with Grant Street Associates, the project’s leasing agent. The commercial real estate firm will market Quantum V, secure an anchor tenant and handle ongoing leasing. Grant Street Associates recently represented American Eagle Outfitters in the relocation of its headquarters to SouthSide Works’ Quantum II complex; the retail giant will also occupy Quantum III as part of the expansion of its corporate campus.

Writer: Jennifer Baron
Sources: Chris Fulton and Steven Kasunich, Soffer Organization; Scott Astorino, Grant Street Associates


Image of Quantum IV courtesy of Soffer Organization