LOWER HILL REDEVELOPMENT

Rochelle "Missy" Johnson, has been welding since the age of 14, and was the first female minority to enroll at her vocational school graduating at the top of her class.

Back in March of 2021, she ran a small local firm and was signed only as a Millwrights Union company.  Through discussions with PJ Dick, she was encouraged to talk to other unions and to utilize the log of the non-minority companies that was developed through bidding for the FNB Financial Center, for her own outreach and development of relationships  

Throughout the balance of 2021, Missy signed on with six (6) other unions and joined the NMAPC, which allows her to work anywhere in the country, pulling in union workers in the trades she needs.  She has been afforded opportunities locally and in Philadelphia and has even turned down some work (in cases that builders or larger contractors wanted to just use her company as a Broker and not let her firm self perform work).

DiVerse Industrial Solutions has secured a contract commitment in the field of Miscellaneous Metals as part of the final buyout for FNB Financial Center and her story is truly amazing. This brief glimpse into her past highlights her path to where she is now, 36 years later. 

How does your background in construction tie into what you're currently doing with the project? 
During my 25 years in Mobile Maintenance, I had the ability to work in many different fashions from boiler work to structural steel and many things in between.  I can remember building platforms, setting grading, doing handrail and kickplate.  All of these things now tie into the package that my company has received at the Lower Hill.
 
How has your role evolved working on the Lower Hill Redevelopment project? 
There are 2 development projects for me at the Lower Hill.  The first project is developing DiVerse Industrial Solutions as a competitive company for the future.  The second project is to obtain work at the FNB.  I found them both at the Lower Hill.  In working with the people on that project, it opened up avenues and suggestions to be able to do both.  They not only gave me an opportunity for work, they gave me pathways to build my company outside of this project for the future.
 
What do you like most about what you do? 
The people.  All the people come from different walks of life to participate in the end goal of finishing whatever project they are encountering.  They bring their highs and lows, strengths and weaknesses.  You find encouragement from them and give back encouragement.  When it is all finished, you and a bunch of strangers are no longer strangers having achieved a common goal of a job well done.   
 
Do you have a mentor or advisor that has helped you along the way? (Personally, or professionally) Alternatively, do you do any kind of mentoring, coaching or teaching? I have had many mentors along the way both personally and professionally.  One that stands out specifically, was a man of little words but his actions spoke volumes to me.  He was always proud of who he was in every job he laid his hands on.  He did not care if he fit in.  He only cared about the pride he carried home at the end of the day by doing the best that he could with what he had. I try to use what I learned in life to mentor and guide people.  Life is hard.  If it wasn’t for the people who helped me, I would not have the will or determination to do what I do today.   I give back in the same way it was given to me.  Somebody gave me a job; I want to give a job.  Someone gave me encouragement; I want to give encouragement. 
 
Do you have any words of encouragement for other women currently in or considering entering the construction field?  Welding field? Whatever you do, don’t quit.  Fight until you get it right.  Every step you take in life, God is preparing you for another level.  

Find out more about DiVerse Industrial Solutions here
To learn about contracting opportunities with the Lower Hill Redevelopment visit the First Source Center 

March 31, 2022 - Catapult’s “Gallery on Centre” had its ribbon cutting ceremony at the new location 1840 Centre Avenue in the Hill District neighborhood. The opening was made possible with a collaboration between the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and a 10 million dollar contribution by PNC Bank. The 1,422 square-foot space will house six businesses from the Catapult Hill District cohort, with shelf space available for future Hill cohort participants and graduates. 

“This is an amazing opportunity for new entrepreneurs from the Hill District or those wanting to start a business in the Hill District," said Catapult Executive Director Tammy Thompson in the official press release. "Participants will get access to retail space to sell their products, technical assistance, and opportunities to participate in collaborative events. The URA was instrumental in helping us launch our Catapult: Startup to Storefront and Gallery on Penn programming in East Liberty, so now the opening of our second location in the Hill District is just very exciting. We hope that the residents of the Hill District will be proud to have our programming and these new businesses operating in their community.”
 
The beautiful event was introduced by the soon-departing URA Deputy Director, Dr. Diamonte Walker, who was followed by the host, newly appointed Executive Communications Strategist, Tanika Harris. The entrepreneur graduates of the program were all in attendance, with a speech by both Nikki’s Magic Wand creator, Nicole Narvaez Manns and Aquene Wise-Watkins of Royally Fit; and they were all present in celebration of their Director, Ms. Tammy Thompson, who has gone through an organizational name change, from “Circles” to “Catapult Greater Pittsburgh” and sought to honor Maelene Myers -Executive Director of East Liberty Development, Inc., who gave her the space to work on her “crazy” ideas, in East Liberty.

Catapult Greater Pittsburgh engages in emergency resource distribution, peer-to-peer support, wealth building, trauma-informed financial counseling, and policy advocacy to ensure systematically disenfranchised communities can meaningfully achieve economic justice and lead dignified and equitable lives. 

Also in attendance for this festive event were elected officials State Senator Wayne Fontana, Mayor Ed Gainey, Chief of Staff, Jake Wheatley and City Councilman, Daniel Lavelle.

To support these entrepreneurs go online or stop in their store location! 
To learn more about Catapult's programs, email: [email protected]

March 9, 2022 - Chef Cheyanne Bronzell of Phat Girlz a Cookin’, who is a current participant in the Catapult business accelerator program, “Startup to Storefront”, catered lunch for PJ Dick and other members of the Lower Hill Team. This was the first time Chef Cheyanne catered for the group and she came to impress. The menu was shrimp toast for appetizers, honey salmon, her award-winning greens (which we paired with vinegar and hot sauce), mac and cheese, cornbread and peach cobbler for dessert. It was delicious and we are sure Chef Cheyanne will be spreading her soul food around the Lower Hill, as she has done in the Middle, Upper Hill and all around the city.

Book Phat Girlz a Cookin here 
Find more information about Catapult's programs here 

On March 25, 2022 the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA) announced that Deputy Executive Director Dr. Diamonte Walker will depart the organization in Spring 2022 for an opportunity in the private sector. We say thank you to Dr. Walker and celebrate her tireless contributions to the redevelopment of the Lower Hill District and vibrancy across the entire City.

We are saddened by her departure as we have enjoyed working with her and meeting the mutual goals of the city government and administration. Prior to her exit, she was interviewed by Dr. Kimberly C. Ellis, Director of Community, Arts and Culture for Buccini/Pollin Group.

How do you feel about the work you accomplished during your tenure as Deputy Director of the Urban Redevelopment Authority? I'm extremely proud of what we have achieved at the URA during my tenure. It's been such an honor to work on behalf of the City, and in partnership with the broader Pittsburgh community, to shift the organization's focus more toward inclusive and equitable economic development.

Where are you going next and what can we expect? I'm thrilled about the next chapter and to share that I am going to serve as the inaugural CEO of a new economic mobility platform designed to support income eligible adult learners with children achieve post-secondary degree attainment.  My new focus will be working within higher education to address income stagnation issues as a part of a broader, inclusive prosperity strategy, as it relates to economic development here in the city. An official announcement will be released in a few weeks with more information. 

​What do you hope to see from the Lower Hill Redevelopment? I hope to see the Lower Hill emerge as a model of equitable community revitalization based on how much restorative benefit it returns to the greater Hill District. I often said no one project can solve all of what ails a neighborhood. However, it is also important to acknowledge that no other project is as significant to the Historic Hill District's history, or its destiny as the Lower Hill's redevelopment, and it must be regarded as such. There are economic, institutional, and human-centered implications which present a transformative opportunity to chart a new course for the neighborhood, while honoring and incorporating the people and practitioners who already present.
As a resident and stakeholder, I wholeheartedly believe a development of which we can all be proud is achievable, if all parties material to the Lower Hill's redevelopment uphold the CCIP Community Benefits Agreement, as a sacred social contract with the interests of Historic Hill District residents at its center.

Read more here