Centre Avenue

The Centre Avenue Corridor project will lay the foundation for the transformation of 170 vacant or idle properties into multiple commercial, residential and office spaces over the next several years.

Stay updated on the progress of the Centre Avenue RFQ in the Hill District.

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Through an inclusive, community-informed process and innovative partnerships, the Centre Avenue Corridor project will transform 170 vacant or idle properties into multiple commercial, residential and office spaces.

Important Dates

November 25 • Centre Avenue RFQ Office Hours

On November 25, URA staff will once again be at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Hill District branch to answer questions about the Centre Avenue RFQ process. Physical copies of the RFQ and the Greater Hill District Master Plan will be available. Stop by to talk to staff and share your input.

January 30 • Hill District Quarterly Mixer

Councilman R. Daniel Lavelle and the URA are hosting a quarterly mixer and resource fair for Hill District residents. The community is encouraged to join us to hear updates on the Centre Ave RFQ outcome, Lower Hill, and Centre Heldman grocery store.

RFQ Process

The URA anticipates issuing the Centre Ave RFQ in phases and selecting multiple developers throughout the numerous phases.

Following the RFQ due date for this first phase, the URA will:

Review and evaluate responses received
Solicit community input, and if appropriate
Make recommendations for consideration by the URA Board of Directors

Following initial URA Board vote, the URA will then re-release this RFQ, amended to reflect a revised list of available sites.

Results

This community-driven process will transform the Corridor through the redevelopment of 170 URA and City-owned parcels, containing 162 vacant lots and eight structures. Projects will include ground-floor commercial space with compatible multi-story residential, office, and /or flexible space.

Timeline

Monday, July 22, 2019 - RFQ Issue Date

Wednesday, August 7, 2019 - Community Briefing Session

Wednesday, August 14, 2019 - RFQ Q&A Session and Teaming Event for MWBE firms that provide professional services

Monday, August 19, 2019 - Site Tour 1

Tuesday, September 24, 2019 - Site Tour 2

Tuesday, October 22, 2019 - Qualifications Due Date

Wednesday, October 23 - Friday, November 8, 2019 - Pre-Qualifications Review

November 23, 2019 - Community Meeting with qualified respondents

December 2, 2019 - Final Review Committee Meeting (tentative)

January 9, 2020 - URA Board Meeting for Exclusive Negotiation period

February 15, 2020 (estimated) - RFQ Round 2 release for all parcels not included in Exclusive Negotiation period above

May-August, 2020 (anticipated) - DRP community input process for RFQ Round 1

Review Committee

Diamonte Walker* - Deputy Executive Director
Hala Nuemah* - Director of Finance
Nathan Clark* - Director of Real Estate
Jerry Williams* - Urban Designer
Josette Fitzgibbons* - Neighborhood Business District Manager
Chuck Alcorn* - Development Manager
Emily Pontarelli* - Compliance Review Specialist
Dan Wood - Chief of Staff, City Council District 6
Glenn Grayson - Senior Program Manager for Neighborhood Development, Neighborhood Allies
James Myers, Jr. - Director, Community and Business Development, Riverside Center for Innovation

Project Team

Laya Mathews* - Project Manager
Bethany Davidson* - Project Manager
Julie Edwards* - Outreach Manager
Maya Fews* - Equity and Inclusion Coordinator
Claren Healey* - Real Estate Development Officer
Lilly Freedman* - Community Development Specialist

* indicates URA staff

Background

In July 2019, the URA issued a Request for Qualifications from one or more developers or development teams to participate in the revitalization of various scattered sites along Centre Avenue in the Middle Hill neighborhood of the City of Pittsburgh.

The goal of this RFQ is to select Developers to work to implement uses and further the concepts that have been articulated by the community as described in the 2015 Centre Avenue Corridor Redevelopment and Design Plan and Greater Hill District Master Plan. Central to these plans are the following priorities:

Creating opportunities for minority and local Developers
Revitalizing Centre Avenue as the neighborhood’s primary retail, institutional, and cultural node as well as a strong residential
neighborhood
Building upon the African American cultural legacy
Creating family-friendly housing without displacement
Fostering economic empowerment
Producing comprehensive sustainability and quality design