Centre Avenue Corridor

Through an inclusive, community-informed process and innovative partnerships, 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.

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

RFQ Process

The URA is issuing the Centre Ave RFQ in phases and selecting multiple developers throughout the numerous phases. So far, the URA released Round 1 and Round 2 of the Centre Ave RFQ.

After RFQ responses are received, the URA:

• Reviews and evaluates responses
• Solicits community input, and if appropriate;
• Makes recommendations for consideration by the URA Board of Directors
• Re-releases the 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.

Recent Wins

• City Joins Big Tom's Groundbreaking, Bringing $1.94 Million of Investments for Barbershop, Affordable Housing and Community Revitalization Project on Hill District's Centre Avenue Business Corridor
  
  

• Governor Wolf Awards Funding to Big Tom's Barbershop in the Hill District

• URA Board Approves Sale of Centre Avenue Site For Relocation and Expansion of Big Tom's Barbershop

• CARES CommuniTEA Café to Celebrate its Grand Opening on February 1, 2021

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 13, 2020 - URA Board approved exclusive negotiations with the first round of Centre Avenue RFQ respondents

March 17, 2020 - RFQ Round 2 release for all parcels not included in exclusive negotiation period above   

March 30, 2020 - Q&A Webinar: Centre Avenue RFQ and Equitable Empowerment Program. Watch it here.

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
• Maya Fews* - Equity and Inclusion Coordinator
• Claren Healey* - Real Estate Development Officer
• Lilly Freedman* - Community Development Specialist

* indicates URA staff