Swisshelm Park Solar

Remediation and redevelopment of property in the City of Pittsburgh's Swisshelm Park neighborhood

The URA is in the process of completing environmental remediation at a site in the Swisshelm Park neighborhood that was formerly an industrial dumping ground for slag. Once remediation is complete, the URA plans to issue a Request for Proposals for a future solar development and to transfer a portion of the property to the City of Pittsburgh for an extension of Frick Park.

Background

The goal of this project is to remediate the site and to select a redeveloper to enter into a long-term lease agreement and redevelop a 15-acre property into a highly-efficient solar array. The developer will be responsible for constructing an access road to the site, while managing an effective community outreach strategy, encouraging ecological biodiversity, and ensuring a completed product that will complement a Frick Park extension on the neighboring parcels.

For decades, the URA intended to build housing on this site as the third and final phase of the Summerset at Frick Park development. This project marks a change of direction and a turn toward a cleaner energy future for the City of Pittsburgh.

Project Timeline

Planning & Project Exploration

Community Meeting (September 28, 2021)
Community Meeting (November 16, 2021)
Community Q&A (August 3, 2022)

Phase 1: Remediation

Community Input Meeting (October 18, 2023)
Pre-Invitation to Bid Community Meeting (July 29, 2024)
Pre-Invitation to Bid Event for Contractors (August 19, 2024)
Remediation Invitation to Bid Opens (September 30, 2024)
Construction Management and Construction Inspection - Invitation to Bid Closes (October 30, 2024)
Construction - Invitation to Bid Closes (November 8, 2024)
Pre-Construction Community Meeting (January 29, 2025)
Remediation Construction Commences (April 7, 2025)
Remediation Construction Expected to End (September 2025)

Phase 2: Solar Development

Solar Development RFP Releases (Q3 2025)
RFP Closes (Q4 2025)
Review Committee Shortlists Developers (Q4 2025)
Design & Development Review Community Meeting (Q4 2025)
Pre-Final Design Community Meeting (Q4 2025)
Solar Construction Commences (Q2 2026)

Remediation (Current Stage)

The URA’s selected contractor, Brex Enterprises, is in the process of completing environmental remediation at the site known as "the slags." This area* was formerly an industrial dumping ground for slag, a derivative of the steel manufacturing process. As the owner of the property, the URA is legally required to remediate the site to be in compliance with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. In 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded the URA a $2 million Brownfields Cleanup Grant to be used toward this cleanup work.

The remediation includes placing a cover of imported soil and vegetation over the contaminated land; This is known as "capping." This work is expected to last through the end of September 2025. The site cleanup will keep contaminants in place to prevent exposure to people, pets, and wildlife and ensure a healthy environment in preparation for the second phase of the project, which involves a solar development and a nearly 55-acre extension of Frick Park, the City’s largest public park.

*The site is not open to the public. It is dangerous for residents and recreational visitors to enter the active construction site.

Tree Replacement Plan

As part of the remediation process and only where necessary, the contractor will remove trees within the remediation site and access routes. The tree removal is required because it is the only way for equipment to reach the slag area. Tree removal at this stage of the project is part of the environmental remediation (not for the future development).

The URA’s goal is a minimum of one-for-one replacement of every tree with a diameter at or above 12 inches, using native replacements approved by the City of Pittsburgh Forestry Division. These native replacements will include Box Elder, Honeylocust, American Sycamore, Black Locust, and American Elm. If, and only if, the replacement of any individual tree is infeasible, the URA will contribute a donation amount congruent with the trees removed to Pittsburgh's Shade Tree Trust Fund.

*Documents are currently outdated. A tree removal change order was required due to unexpected site conditions. Updated documents will be posted as soon as they become available.

Temporary Trail Closure for Public Safety

As a result of the remediation work underway, a section of the Nine Mile Run Trail between Commercial Street and Duck Hollow will close unremittingly. This temporary closure is expected to take effect on May 8, 2025 between the pedestrian bridge over Lower Nine Mile Run and the southern Commercial Street access point. The trail will be closed for the duration of the remediation work, which is expected to last through the end of September 2025.

Those using Frick Park for recreation during this period are encouraged to plan accordingly and use other park access points in Squirrel Hill, Point Breeze, and Regent Square.

Alternative Routes to Access Frick Park

Instead of accessing the Nine Mile Run Trail via Old Browns Hill Road in Duck Hollow, bicyclists and pedestrians can take Parkview Boulevard to Summerset Drive, turn left onto Forward Avenue, and then right onto Beechwood Boulevard, leading to Squirrel Hill access points, including the Riverview Trail/Blue Slide Playground entrance or the Beechwood Gate Entrance.

If descending from Swisshelm Park, bicyclists and pedestrians may use PennDOT’s relocated trail, as part of the I-376 Parkway East - Commercial Street Bridge Replacement project, to access the northern end of Nine Mile Run and Frick Park. This path may face intermittent closures.

The URA does not recommend using the portion of Forward Avenue between Summerset Drive and the former Irish Centre as there are no bike lanes or sidewalks.