‘What Pittsburgh is becoming’
Redevelopment project begins to turn former Etna steel mill into tech hub
A blocklong, three-story former steel mill sits in the heart of Etna — a symbol of the city’s industrial past. But now the building is set to become a hub for technology and robotics.
At a redevelopment kickoff event Thursday morning, elected officials, business owners and community members discussed the progress of the 51 Bridge Street project. The event happened inside the construction zone, where caution tape and heavy equipment lined the mostly gutted interior.
Tom Sabol, a partner with New York-based developer The AM Group and a Pittsburgh resident, said the company is hoping to finish redeveloping the building by the end of the year and have tenants moved in next summer. He said they are “flexible” on the number of tenants — as few as one or as many as four.
“In this community, generations of innovators and entrepreneurs have built the infrastructure that others may now use to create the Etna of the future,” said Scott Wolkowitz, another partner with the AM Group. “We are inspired by this history and responsibility, and we follow in all the many footprints that created this community.”
The AM Group acquired the 88,600-square-foot space in September. The project was also awarded a $1.6 million grant through the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program last December to renovate it into a “tech-flex” space for robotics, artificial intelligence or other tech-related ventures.
To make the building more sustainable, the AM Group is considering a green roof and other green areas for stormwater management.
“When you see the rebirth [of Pittsburgh], probably nothing more signifies it like a place like this — where you’re turning a steel mill into a robotics mill. That’s really the transformation of what Pittsburgh is becoming,” said Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald.
Etna Mayor Thomas Rengers said Thursday was one of the “happiest” days in his 21-year career in government.
He said he hopes entrepreneurs and young people bring their business and new ideas to the neighborhood.
Mr. Fitzgerald submitted a resolution to county council that would authorize the county to participate in a Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance program “in a deteriorated area in the Borough of Etna,” which includes 51 Bridge Street. The bill was moved this week to the Economic Development Committee for review at their next meeting.
The program would include “temporary exemption from county property taxes for improvements, including repairs, construction, or reconstruction,” on industrial, commercial or residential properties. The bill said this would help finance improvements to the 51 Bridge Street project that will cost about $20 million. About half of these costs are for construction.
Business owner Kiya Tomlin also spoke about the importance of the project and why she chose Etna for her shop. She said she especially appreciates the project’s commitment to sustainability.
Ms. Tomlin is the owner of Kiya Tomlin clothing store and workshop and the wife of Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.
“I hope other businesses will see and follow and together we’ll be able to kind of rejuvenate this cute little town,” she said.