Ground was broken last Friday at the site of a new $5 million
speculative 90,000 square foot flex/ distribution building at 4800 Grand
Avenue on Neville Island.
"Neville Island has
been waiting to be reborn. I believe strongly in the benefits this area
can offer all businesses and its vital role to the economy," says Chuck
Snyder, President of
Neville
Island Commons, and owner of the property.
His son, Josh Snyder, is President of the green minded
JLS Land Company, the developers of the site.
Snyder's company
purchased the property in May 2008, which previously housed the
corporate offices for Dravo Machining Company, an organization which set
up operations on the island during World War I to build 300 ships. The
Dravo building sat vacant, however, for the last 15 years. Completion of
the new building, which is being constructed with green building
techniques targeting LEED certification, is dated for January 2011.
Burns and Scalo Real
Estate Services Inc. is the
contract representative for JLS, and is set to coordinate and run
infrastructure services. Their target tenants for the building include
office and light industrial users.
The
revitalization of Neville Island is aided greatly by its close proximity
to I-79, Pittsburgh International Airport, Route 51, and Route 65. The
90,000 square foot building is the latest project in the redevelopment
of the island, following the construction of a new Kings Hometown Grille
and 110 suite Fairfield Inn.
In addition to
the island's close location to a number of transportation routes, a
Local Economic Revitalization Tax is available, which provides a six
year tax exemption to new construction.
Senator
Wayne Fontana, who helped break ground for the site, referenced the
power of this tax abatement when he said, "Neville Island is a shining
example of what can be done through public and private partnerships."
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Writer:
John Farley
Sources: Chuck Snyder, President of JLS Land Company
W. Scott Kaplan,Director of Acquisition and Development
Services for Burns and Scalo
Senator Wayne Fontana
Photograph Copyright John Farley