At the crossroads of the city and region, the Lower Hill Redevelopment is a mixed-use destination filled with vibrant places to work, live, celebrate and play. The vision calls for a dynamic and seamless development that connects north, south, east and west through activated green spaces, pedestrian friendly retail corridors and multi-modal, urban environments. The project's welcoming open spaces will support festivals and large-scale celebrations as well as smaller gatherings and community events. A linear parkland will extend through the neighborhood, anchoring activity across the 28 acres and redefining Wylie Avenue as a pedestrian corridor. A diverse mix of program uses and building scales express a unique and authentic Pittsburgh character, supported by numerous entertainment venues and a lively year-round streetscape experience. From Freedom Corner to the new CAP park connector to the downtown, Lower Hill Redevelopment will attract visitors near and far to a center of energy featuring culture, commerce, and celebration.

Groundbreaking Held for FNB Financial Center and Lower Hill Redevelopment

Picture
​PITTSBURGH, PA (September 1, 2021) F.N.B. Corporation (FNB), the Pittsburgh Penguins, Clay Cove Capital and The Buccini/Pollin Group (BPG) today joined members of the Historic Hill District community and elected officials to break ground on FNB Financial Center, the 26-story mixed-use tower that will kick-start the redevelopment of the historic Pittsburgh neighborhood and serve as the corporate headquarters of FNB, the parent company of First National Bank.
 
With more than 150 years of service to western Pennsylvania, construction of FNB Financial Center further marks FNB as one of the greatest drivers of Pittsburgh’s revitalization through its commitment to raising the quality of life for all in the region. The tower is expected to generate 1,250 construction jobs, 2,000 permanent jobs and $40 million in investments in the Middle and Upper Hill District. It will contain more than 475,000 square feet of Class A office space, consolidate the company’s regional headquarters operations and include open space and terraces for community events at the adjacent Plaza at FNB Financial Center.

Read more here

IN THE NEWS​

FNB, Penguins set to break ground — finally — on first development at former Civic Arena site 
September 2021 / Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Can A Demolished Neighborhood Build Back Better?
June 2021 / Bloomberg

Former Civic Arena site in Lower Hill gets key approvals for $230-million redevelopment
​June 2021 / Pittsburgh Post Gazette

First Source Employment Opportunity Center Opens In Lower Hill District
June 2021 / KDKA CBS Local Pittsburgh 

Lower Hill First Source Employment Opportunity Center opens
June 2021 / KDKA CBS Local Pittsburgh
RECENT EVENTS​
ARTIST INFO SESSION
​THURS | JULY 15 | 6:30 PM
Check out this virtual information session with Lower Hill Director of Community, Arts and Culture, Dr. Kimberly C. Ellis, Architectural Design Consultant, LaKeisha Byrd and Project Manager, Craig Dunham, to learn more about becoming a part of the Lower Hill Redevelopment. Information about opportunities related to the Open Space, Curtain Call Submissions and artist/entrepreneur activities including vending is discussed. 

​Download the presentation PDF here. Submit questions art for the Curtain Call here.
The Lower Hill District - News & Updates
The Lower Hill District
News & Updates
August / September 2021
After the recent Labor Day holiday weekend we reflect on the social and economic achievements of American workers and also celebrate the dedication, teamwork, tenacity and grit of all hands involved in the advancement of the Lower Hill Redevelopment. We are proud to have fielded a diverse and locally inspired team of professionals, project consultants and vendors this year to achieve the groundbreaking for the FNB Financial Center on September 1, 2021. It is with the support and dedication of these partners and so many others that joined together in celebration of the recent groundbreaking milestone for the transformational Lower Hill project so many years in the making. We will continue to build out this project team with a diverse network of contractors as we build the FNB Financial Center itself.
RECENT NEWS
FNB Financial Groundbreaking Ceremony
Thank you everyone for attending the FNB Financial Center Groundbreaking Ceremony last Wednesday September, 1, 2021!

As the clouds parted, the rain cleared and F.N.B. Corporation (FNB), the Pittsburgh Penguins, Clay Cove Capital and The Buccini/Pollin Group (BPG) joined members of the Historic Hill District community and elected officials to break ground on FNB Financial Center, the 26-story mixed-use tower that will kick-start the redevelopment of the Lower Hill and serve as the corporate headquarters of FNB, the parent company of First National Bank.

The event was co-emceed by Kevin Acklin, chief operating officer and general counsel for the Penguins and Dr. Kimberly C. Ellis, Director of Community, Arts and Culture for the Buccini/Pollin Group. (pictured right)

Construction of FNB Financial Center further marks FNB as one of the greatest drivers of Pittsburgh’s revitalization through its commitment to raising the quality of life for all in the region. The project expected to generate 1,250 construction jobs, 2,000 permanent jobs and more than $40 million in investments in the Middle and Upper Hill District.

It will contain more than 475,000 square feet of Class A office space, consolidate the company’s regional headquarters operations, and include open space and terraces for community events at the adjacent Plaza at FNB Financial Center.

“Through the dedication of our partners and community, today we commenced a project that will fulfill a vision for transformation in our region that has been years in the making,” said Vincent J. Delie, Jr., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of F.N.B. Corporation and First National Bank. “We are proud to continue to grow our Company in our headquarters city and for FNB to be such an integral part of Pittsburgh’s future.” 
 
Construction of the mixed use office building at Bedford Avenue and Washington Place will further restore connections between the Greater Hill District and Downtown Pittsburgh and is the first step in an estimated $1 billion redevelopment by the Pittsburgh Penguins, The Buccini/Pollin Group and their partners of former Civic Arena site.
 
To expand participation by minority and women-owned businesses in the project, the development team hired e-Holdings at the start of the year to boost inclusive contracting efforts. In June, the Penguins and BPG opened the First Source Center on Centre Avenue as a one stop shop for those seeking assistance with employment and contracting opportunities at the site, which, following construction of FNB Financial Center, will next include a live music venue, parking garage and housing.
Wealth Building Wednesdays - Episode 2
In the August episode of Wealth-Building Wednesdays, Bomani Howze, VP of Development for the Buccini/Pollin Group, sits down with Amachie Ackah, co-founder, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of Clay Cove Capital, minority-owned investment partner in the Lower Hill District Redevelopment. Hear Amachie talk about the twists and turns of his early career, and his personal connection to the Lower Hill District.

Do you have questions about wealth building? Submit them here
Vote Now! American Institute of Architects (AIA) 2021 Film Challenge
Design has the power to solve some of the biggest issues facing cities today. The AIA Film Challenge is a film contest that amplifies the stories of architecture projects that are transforming communities through the power of design and collaboration. Check out this short film by Gensler, architect for the Lower Hill Redevelopment, featuring members of the development team. Learn about the opportunities, challenges and community benefits of this transformative project and don't forget to vote! The film with the most votes by October 3 will win the People’s Choice Award. You can vote up to once per hour.

1835 Centre Ave. Pittsburgh PA, 15219
Tuesday: 10 AM - 3:30 PM
Wednesday: 10 AM - 8 PM
Thursday: 10 AM - 3:30 PM
A Central Location for Jobs, Training, Access and Opportunities in the Lower Hill
Located in the heart of the Hill District, blocks away from the 28-acre Lower Hill District redevelopment, the First Source Center's mission is to provide a central location for residents to obtain better access to job opportunities, career training, and pathways to construction, professional and service-related employment.

412-223-7890
Partner4Work Update
Partner organization Partner4Work has announced that the 6th cohort of their BankWork$ program has found 100% full-time employment at various Pittsburgh banks! 

Congratulations to these new employees as well as their employers at First National Bank, PNC, First Commonwealth Bank,&nnbsp;ChaseBank, Northwest Bank, and Dollar Bank for adding such great talent to their teams!

Follow the BankWork$ program here
The First Source Center has Partnered with Netflix
“Rustin” is a biopic of civil rights leader Bayard Rustin, who fought for gay rights and helped organize the 1963 March on Washington. Filming will begin in late September and Extras are needed to recreate the March on Washington.


Email:

Subject: Civil Rights

CONSTRUCTION RESOURCES
Small Contractor Line of Credit Program
Small contractors - These funds can help you bid on a project that might otherwise be inaccessible to you by increasing access to working capital! Currently the URA is targeting small businesses with less than $500K in annual revenues per year who may not have access to traditional lines of credit for the Avenues of Hope program.

See the attached flyer (right) and guidelines for the program. Contractors can feel free to reach out to the URA directly with questions by contacting Lynnette Morris, lmorris@ura.org, 412.255.6547.  
 
More information can be found on our website:  https://www.ura.org/pages/small-contractor-line-of-credit-program
 
The application for the program can be found here.

Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program
The Introduction to the Construction Trades – Pre apprentice program is proud to announce that 100% of the last cohort started working within 2 weeks of completing the course as apprentices or on the job training positions as members of a skilled labor union.

Open enrollment is year round. We are excited about the next group of trainees starting on September 15th and area actively accepting applications/registrations for the next cohort which begins in January.

Contact the First Source Center (412) 223-7890 to begin your enrollment into this program! Or cite this newsletter as your source of information when you call or begin the application online!  
A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI) Breaking The Chains of Poverty Program & Introduction to the Construction Trades
Without education, workforce training, decent employment and livable wages many individuals do not have the opportunity to escape from poverty, own their own homes or adequately support their families.

Our program equips those who are traditionally disenfranchised or discouraged from participation with a new sense of democracy, education and opportunities. Our goal is to create self-sufficient individuals
and families. The United Steelworkers partnered with the Pittsburgh APRI Education Fund and began the Breaking the Chains of Poverty (BTCP) program in 2009. This program has successfully served more than 170 individuals and has placed 62% of those individuals in jobs.

To enter into the A. Philip Randolph Institute's Introduction to the Construction Trades, where you are GUARANTEED work, immediately after completing the training, call the First Source Center at (412) 223-7890!

Classes begin on September 15th!
Literacy Pittsburgh
Literacy Pittsburgh' Trade Up program has been created to bridge the gap for individuals who do not have a high school diploma that most unions require for acceptance. 
  • Paid Stipend
  • Fee GED Preparation Class
  • Computer Lending
  • Paid GED test fee
  • Introduction to the construction trades pre-apprenticeship training course
  • Guaranteed entry to trade apprenticeship program upon successful completion
EVENTS
Barrel & Flow Fest, September 10 - 12
The Lower Hill Redevelopment Team will be in attendance with a table and our street team at the annual Barrel & Flow Fest, Saturday, September 11th and Sunday, September 12th. We enthusiastically invite you to join us and learn about the First Source Center programs and opportunities available through the Lower Hill Redevelopment.
Click the link below for ticket information and daily schedule line-up. Spread the word and bring your friends and family for a great community event uplifting artists, musicians, chefs, and brewers. We look forward to seeing everyone there!
Barrel & Flow Fest

Fresh Fest in the nation's first Black beer festival and second best in the nation, according to USA Today. The annual event showcases the country's most talented Black brewers, along with breweries from across the globe in collaboration with...

Read more
www.barrelandflow.com
Questions, Comments or Content Suggestions? Send us your feedback at LowerHillOpportunities@bpgroup.net. We will do our best to answer quickly and accurately. Your question may just be featured in our next newsletter!