Hill House closes on sale of 4 Hill District properties
New owners say buildings will continue to contribute to community
“Hill House is a historic institution in our city and its ongoing transition remains a sore spot for our community.” — Marimba Milliones, president and chief executive of the Hill CDC
Hill House Association has closed on the sale of four Hill District properties, including its headquarters facility on Centre Avenue, in a deal that will allow it to pay down debt as it dissolves operations.
The buyer, a partnership of Lawrenceville- based developer E Properties and Development and the Hill Community Development Corp., will pay approximately $ 5 million for the buildings.
Financially strapped Hill House, a nonprofit that has provided social services in the Hill District for more than 50 years, was ordered last month by Allegheny County Common Pleas Court Judge Michael McCarthy to use the proceeds of the sale to reduce its debt load.
The new owners said they will honor leases of current tenants and try to attract new tenants that will serve community needs as they renovate the properties.
The four buildings together are about 71% occupied, according to the buyer.
“We generally think long - term, and we focus our energy on creative ways to increase the value of buildings, and contributions to the community,” said Emeka Onwugbenu, principal of E Properties.
“Our firm understands that the dissolution of Hill House Association has had a significant impact on the Hill District community. As such, we are doing our part to ease the transition.”
Besides Hill House’s main building, the properties include One Hope Square, an office- retail center, and a building leased by Family Dollar, both on Centre Avenue; and the Blakey Program Center on Wylie Avenue.
Hill House has an agreement to sell the Kaufmann Center to ACH Clear Pathways, an arts nonprofit that is leasing space there, said Peter Ennis, attorney for Hill House.
It is negotiating a deal to sell the senior center on Bedford Avenue, he said.
The nonprofit also owned the Centre- Heldman Plaza, which was occupied by a Shop ‘ n Save grocery store and Crazy Mocha coffeehouse. Both closed in recent months.
That property is in mortgage foreclosure.
A public forum will be held in August to update Hill District residents and stakeholders on the properties and possible future uses, said Marimba Milliones, president and chief executive of the Hill CDC.
“Hill House is a historic institution in our city and its ongoing transition remains a sore spot for our community,” Ms. Milliones said.
“Our hope is to find a path forward that honors the history and significance of this moment, while collectively embracing our future.”