SouthSide Works

SouthSide Works is a vibrant, mixed-use development located along the Monongahela River. It is considered a shining example of the URA’s brownfield redevelopment work.

Background

The URA purchased the 123-acre site, formerly the LTV Steel Co. steel mill, in 1993. Since then, the URA has overseen completion of the environmental remediation as well as design and construction of more than $45 million in infrastructure and traffic enhancements including roads, water and sewer lines, construction of four parking garages, the conversion of the Hot Metal Bridge for automobile traffic and the addition of a parallel pedestrian bridge.

URA Investment

The South Side Works TIF District, authorized in 1999, enabled the URA to finance $25 million in critical public infrastructure, including four structured parking garages containing 2,357 spaces, 2.6 miles of roads, 6.3 acres of park space, and 1.5 miles of riverfront trails. In addition, the Hot Metal Bridge was upgraded to establish a vehicular, bike and pedestrian connection to the Downtown and Oakland neighborhoods.

The URA also coordinated the financing for this site with its federal, state and local public partners and sought, selected and worked with private investors and developers to complete the redevelopment.

Results

Having a ready-to-go site was a key economic driver for the development, as was the high quality of the mixed-use environment, including riverfront trails and parks. To date, this brownfield redevelopment site has attracted more than 800 residents and nearly 4,000 jobs. At full build-out, the site will employ more than 6,000, and generate tax revenues of more than $9 million per year.

Facts

• Total Development Costs: $450,000,000
• Public Investment: $123,000,000
• Annual Property Taxes: $6,800,000
• 3,845 jobs created to date
• 123-acre brownfield riverfront development includes 838 residential units, 2,350,584 commercial square feet, a commercial marina, a new riverfront park, and 5 miles of new riverfront multi-use trails.