City, URA receive $7.5M in state development grants

Officials with Pittsburgh and the Urban Redevelopment Authority on Tuesday said they have been awarded $7.5 million in state grant money that will go toward the city’s economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects.

The money is part of the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program and, in addition to Pittsburgh, will benefit hundreds of projects — both public and private — in Allegheny County and Western Pennsylvania.

The city and URA projects that received RACP funding include:

• $3 million was awarded to the URA’s 28 Acres project in the Lower Hill District for a mixed-use development including a new EMS facility, parking, commercial space and a live entertainment venue. Separately, another RACP grant, worth $4 million, was awarded to Pittsburgh Arena Real Estate Development to be used for construction of a community-shared parking district at the 28-acre site.

• $1.5 million will be used for the continued renovation of the Brighton Heights Healthy Active Living Center. The RACP grant will help to fund accessibility improvements such as an elevator; new heating, ventilation and air conditioning; plumbing; electric; fire safety; and data/security systems.

• $1 million will be used for the continued rehabilitation of Homewood Park. The city plans to install new fields; Americans with Disabilities Act- accessible routes through the park; lighting; stormwater management; an outdoor pool; new play features; a public stage; and a plaza area at the park.

• $500,000 will be used for the Larimer Commercial development project, which is partnered with the Larimer Consensus Group, Kingsley Association, East Liberty Housing Inc., and the Avenues of Hope redevelopment program. This funding will help develop commercial space in the Larimer Avenue business district.

• $500,000 will go toward the Fairywood Industrial Development project to help clear, stabilize and prepare the site for redevelopment in the city’s Fairywood neighborhood.

• $500,000 will be used for renovations to the Warrington

Recreation Center in Beltzhoover to improve safety and accessibility at the center. The renovations include plans for an elevator, HVAC, plumbing, electric, fire safety and data/security system upgrades.

• $500,000 will be used for the Jefferson Recreation Center redevelopment project in the Central North Side. The money would help pay for demolition of the existing building and construction of a new building, courts, green space and other amenities and improvements identified by the community, staff and youth who use the center.