Out and About in January 2020

January 22

Pictured are Corey DeRico, URA senior construction project coordinator, with Larimer homeowners Lahia Annis-Christy and Rafalak Vahid, and neighborhood advocate Donna Jackson during a meeting to walk them through the Choice Neighborhood Homeowner Assistance Program. We’re excited for their façade work to get started in spring/early summer!

The Larimer Homeowner Residential Façade Program provides grants to Larimer homeowners to assist them with basic maintenance and beautifying their properties to reflect the look and feel of the Choice Neighborhoods development.

January 24

The URA hosted a delgation from Erie, PA to discuss economic development strategy, including New Markets Tax Credits, housing investment, creative financing tools, and brownfield redevelopment. Thanks to the team - City of Erie, Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, Erie County Redevelopment Authority, Redevelopment Authority of the City of Erie, and Erie Insurance - for joining us in Pittsburgh!

Also on January 24, the URA's Deputy Executive Director Diamonte Walker and Executive Director Greg Flisram (pictured with Marty LaMar, City of Pittsburgh's chief economic development officer and Lance Chimka, director of Allegheny County Economic Development) attended Governor Tom Wolf's press event at Mill 19 where he and state representatives announced a multimillion dollar initiative to encourage innovation and technology development throughout the region. Read press release.

January 27

URA staff across six different divisions participated in formal Project Management training with Cameron Professional Services Group.

“Just from the first training, we’ve learned how to plan effectively on the front end to implement programs and projects more successfully,” said URA asset manager Bethany Davidson.

The URA prides itself in investing in professional development and certification for our employees, in order to efficiently serve Pittsburgh communities and continue on as an international leader in economic development.

January 29

The URA's Karlee Turkaly, entrepreneurship investment specialist, and Theresa Schacht, paralegal, visited MOKA art gallery to close on a small business loan with founders Errol “Mobutu” Reynolds and Charlotte Ka.

January 30

Hill District Quarterly Mixer and Resource Fair

The URA and Councilman Lavelle hosted a community mixer and resource fair for Hill District residents to hear more about the future of neighborhood developments that are underway, including the Lower Hill site, Centre Ave corridor, and the Centre Heldman grocery store.

January 31

Trade Institute of Pittsburgh Groundbreaking

The URA joined Mayor William Peduto, the Trade Institute of Pittsburgh (TIP), County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, Representative Ed Gainey, Senator Jay Costa, Councilman Reverend Ricky Burgess, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), and key stakeholders for a groundbreaking to commence the Trade Institute's rehabilitation of a duplex project located in Homewood. Read more.

Photo: Michael Savisky

Homewood Pedestrian Improvement Project Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

The URA joined the office of Mayor William Peduto, partners, key stakeholders, and the Homewood community to celebrate the Homewood Pedestrian Improvement project, which is a $1,089,359 investment in pedestrian safety, infrastructure improvements and neighborhood beautification efforts. Read more.