Strip redevelopment plan gets $4M grant

State awards funds for infrastructure work

A plan to improve Smallman Street in the Strip District as part of the redevelopment of the produce terminal has received a boost from the state.

Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration has awarded a $4 million redevelopment assistance capital program grant for infrastructure work related to the terminal, which is being redeveloped by Chicago-based McCaffery Interests.

The project is one of a handful in Allegheny County to be awarded redevelopment assistance grants in the latest round of funding.

McKnight Realty Partners received $2.5 million for another major project — the redevelopment of parts of the former River Walk Corporate Centre on the South Side riverfront into creative office space and public green space.

In addition, the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium was awarded $1 million to help with a proposed $30.2 million capital expansion project that is expected to include 19 new animal exhibits, restaurants, a playground, classrooms and a conservatory-style building.

The city and McCaffery are considering a host of improvements to busy Smallman, including new sidewalks, traffic signals, and crossings to enhance safety as well as a Market Square-like public plaza near St. Stanislaus Kostka Church.

City Urban Redevelopment Authority members authorized a preliminary tax increment financing plan earlier this month that would raise an estimated $7.5 million toward the improvements. The plan still must be approved by the city, the county, and the Pittsburgh School District.

McCaffery is proposing to convert the terminal, once a hub for produce wholesalers, into office, retail, and residential space. The total cost of that project is estimated at as much as $70 million.

On the South Side, McKnight is planning to spend tens of millions of dollars to convert vacant floors of the historic old terminal, at one time the largest cargo warehouse between New York City and Chicago.

One of the highlights of the

project is to convert the asphalt drive that runs through the complex, sometimes known as Terminal Way, into public green space that is to include LED lighting, benches and other amenities. McKnight will keep the deck at the end of the drive that overlooks the Monongahela River.

Others grants awarded were:

• $1 million to the Midwife Center for Birth and Women’s Health on Penn Avenue in the Strip to expand its facility. It had requested the same amount.

• $2.5 million to convert the former Westinghouse Research facility in Churchill into film studios, retail, and Class A office space. Pittsburgh Studios, a movie production facility, is on part of the property. An $8 million grant had been requested. • $1 million to redevelop the former EchoStar Call Center in McKeesport. The $1 million is half of what was requested.

• $1 million to expand an Allegheny Petroleum facility in Wilmerding. A $1.2 million grant had been sought.