City and URA Announce $600,000 Major Main & Main Partnership to Renovate Façades in the East Ohio Street Business District

Pittsburgh, PA – As part of Mayor O’Connor’s Main & Main initiative, he and the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA) have announced a new $600,000 strategic investment in the East Ohio Street business district. The funding will be invested in renovating eight commercial façades along East Ohio Street.

The Main & Main revitalization project will be funded through a partnership with the URA, who will contribute $100,000, and East Ohio Capital, LLC., who will invest $500,000. The façade improvements will help bring vibrancy to the corridor, create appealing and functional spaces to attract new small businesses to serve the local community, and enhance existing businesses.

“Main & Main is about investing in the success of our neighborhood business districts so that our small businesses and communities can thrive and this commitment builds on the 77 other façades we are renovating across the city,” said Mayor O’Connor. “I’d like to thank the URA and East Ohio Capital for their partnership in bringing new investment to East Ohio Street, new vibrancy through façade renovations, and new opportunities for businesses in this historic corridor.”

“Having invested in the Northside since 2010 and keeping a personal residence on nearby Tripoli Street, we long saw the potential for East Ohio Street to be something special. With 3 more restaurants, plus a bakery committed to our storefronts, and 3 more commercial spaces to lease, we are excited to realize our vision by building on our total investment of over $10 million in making East Ohio Street Pittsburgh’s ‘Restaurant Row,’" said Matt Hicks, owner of East Ohio Capital.

"The URA is grateful to East Ohio Capital for its dedication to reinvigorating East Ohio Street as a thriving neighborhood destination that brings together residents, businesses and visitors," said Susheela Nemani-Stanger, URA Executive Director. "This strategic public and private investment builds on the URA’s and its affiliates’ long-term commitment to the corridor’s continued growth, including more than $1 million in financial assistance to small businesses over the past several years and a $7 million New Markets Tax Credit investment.”

“I'm excited to see this investment in the burgeoning business district along East Ohio Street,” said City Councilman Bobby Wilson, who represents the neighborhood. “This corridor has seen numerous changes in the past few years and I look forward to the positive impact this investment will have on the neighborhood.”

The URA funding was provided through a partnership with Henry L. Hillman Foundation to support local façade renovations and strengthen neighborhood commercial corridors.

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