LOWER HILL REDEVELOPMENT

Check out Wealth Building Wednesdays for candid conversations with industry professionals about wealth building, development and capital investing with host Bomani Howze, VP of Development at The Buccini/Pollin Group (BPG). 
New episodes drop the second Wednesday of every month at 6:30 PM.

Upcoming Episodes and Guests: 
July 14, 2021 - Chris Buccini Co-President of Buccini/Pollin Group
August 11, 2021 - Amachie Ackah CEO & Founder of Clay Cove Capital 
September 8, 2021
October 13, 2021
November 10, 2021
December 8, 2021

If there is a topic or subject you'd like to learn about, let us know! Fill out the form below with your questions and feedback. Answers will be posted to the First Source Center page monthly. 

P.J. Dick, in association with Mascaro and Massaro, for the Lower Hill Redevelopment:  G1 – FNB Financial Center (Pittsburgh, PA)  hosted their third and final Bidder Information Session on Thursday, June 24, 2021 @ 3pm for the upcoming construction.  Session was held virtually via Zoom and registration was required. 

During the session PJ Dick and the project team reviewed upcoming bid and vendor opportunities, project details and schedule, as well as the bid process requirements.  Businesses of all sizes are strongly encouraged to attend.  Attendance is not required to bid.
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For more project information visit  www.lowerhillredevelopment.com/construction-bidding.html

Got Questions? You've come to the right place! Please see the list below for answers to  frequently asked questions.  

Are there union requirements?  
PJ Dick is signatory to the Carpenters, Laborers, Cement Finishers, Operators, and Ironworkers (rebar only).  Direct subcontracting with PJ Dick is accomplished through being a union Subcontractor or a non-union subcontractor with a Union Project Agreement.  Zoom meetings on paths for non-union subcontractors were held for the beginning of June.  Please check this website for the recorded sessions. 

Any non-union companies that want to explore union affiliation must discuss it directly with the union(s) that relate to the type(s) of work performed by the company,

Zoom meetings about the perks of becoming a union contractor have been held already by Riverside Center for Innovation (contact Juan Garrett) and can be very helpful in providing insight about both the union and non-union business models.

Are there bonding requirements?  
For the FNB Financial Center project, a Performance and Payment Bond is required for Subcontracts with PJ Dick > $200k

Are there Prevailing Wages?  
Yes the project will require Prevailing Wages.

Will Certified Payrolls be required?  
Yes Certified Payrolls are required.

Is a Certification required for M/WBEs?  
Yes, to count towards the M/WBE Goals a company is required to have a Certification OR be in the process of becoming Certified.  Direct bids to PJ Dick from an M/W business shall include the Certification or letter stating they are in the process of acquiring a Certification with their bid.

What is CCIP?  
Community Collaboration and Implementation Plan which was developed and memorialized September 11, 2014.  The purpose of the plan is to define specific goals strategies and processes for maximizing the inclusion of the Greater Hill District community and its residents in certain aspects of the redevelopment project.  The plan's intent is to represent an unprecedented level of collaboration for the Southwestern Pennsylvania region with M/WBE goals and Local Resident Inclusion across the redevelopment. Read more about it here

Will this project have RACP Requirements?
Yes portions of the FNB Financial Center are seeking RACP funding.  More specific details are included with the individual Bid Packages for the tracking and documentation requirements.

Will this project have a Project Labor Agreement (PLA)?  
No there will not be a Project Labor Agreement.

Plasterers & Cement Union Information Session (6/3/2021) Questions: 

What is the employer obligation in regards to dues in a union relationship and also, when are those funds due?
The employer is not responsible for the dues of their employees. Those dues are the responsibility of the employee. The employer must pay union wages and fringe benefits to all employees working on the job. Fringe benefit payment schedules are agreed upon with the specific union. Generally, benefits are paid 30-60 days behind the work. 

How much of a bond would be required?
The bond is dependent of the total contract value. Cameron stated the highest bond his group had ever required was $40,000.

July 2021 FNB Bid Package Information Session (6/24/2021) Questions:

So who is the agency that approves the mbe plan?
The plan is already approved. These goals are what we are using to evaluate bidders to ensure we achieve our goals.
 
As a minority women business does my company qualify for 45 of the goal?
A minority women owned business could qualify for either goal, but not both. The advantage is that you can be placed into whichever category needs more representation.
 
What is the SEAS Function?
They are helping to look at our diversity goals in a different way. The diversity and inclusion goals will now be evaluated 3 different ways.
 
Will there be any opportunities for food/caterer vendors?
That would be an opportunity you would need to speak to the developer, BPG about. Olivia would be happy to speak with you.
 
Does DBE qualify for MBE or WBE?
DBE is a category used by different agencies. On your certification it should state whether you are a MBE or WBE within that DBE category.

The URA Board held a Virtual Special Meeting on May 26, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. The purpose of the Special Meeting is to brief Board Members and the community on the redevelopment of Lower Hill Block G-1 (FNB Tower), Block G-4 (Public Open Space), and the Lower Hill LERTA District. No votes on Lower Hill items will occur until a later date.
After the presentation by The Lower Hill Development team public comments were addressed. Voting will occur during a public hearing June 10, 2021.

Watch the full meeting recorded by the URA below. For more information including additional translations, live and written public comments go to: URA Board Meetings 

​PJ Dick, in association with Mascaro and Massaro, will be hosting a bidder information session for the upcoming construction of the G1- FNB Financial Center.
The session will be virtual and registration is required. During the session PJ Dick and the project team will review upcoming bid and vendor opportunities, project details and schedule, as well as the bid process. Businesses of all sizes are strongly encouraged to attend. Attendance is not required for bidding. 

​The Buccini/Pollin Group, PJ Dick, and E. Holdings Inc. are hosted a virtual MWBE construction information session for diverse businesses to learn more about current and future opportunities for the Lower Hill Redevelopment Project(s). This session provides more information to minority and women owned businesses interested in construction related work, as well as outline resources available to support current and future business growth. It covers ways to get help with bidding, the bid submittal process, and opportunities for subcontracting with larger firms.

Watch the full presentation below:

The Buccini/Pollin Group (BPG), Clay Cove Capital and the Pittsburgh Penguins are pleased to have received unanimous Planning Commission approval today to advance the first phase of the Lower Hill redevelopment, the 26-story FNB Financial Center.
 
“Priorities for our Lower Hill redevelopment go far beyond constructing new buildings, but are about investing in people. We have a great opportunity with this project to write a new chapter for the Lower Hill, create jobs and wealth opportunities for residents of the Hill District, and have an ongoing positive economic impact on the neighborhood and the entire city,” said Bomani Howze, Vice President of Development for BPG.
 
Business owners and people seeking jobs and long-term careers stand to benefit as well as the Lower Hill leads a regional rebuild from the aftermath of the pandemic.  The iconic new headquarters of First National Bank is the all-important catalyst to kick off phases of development and waves of community reinvestment.
 
The first phase FNB tower will generate over $50 million in tangible benefits for the Hill District community, not including the tens of millions of dollars in contracts for construction services with Black- and women-owned businesses are factored in later this year.  This first project to build a signature mixed-use building featuring the latest in office space design, welcoming retail space, on-site parking and vibrant public terraces and plazas, and will be a catalyst for continued redevelopment of the Lower Hill.

Upfront Funding:

• Accelerated investment into the Hill District Reinvestment Fund ($7.5 million)
• Support for Small Businesses featuring critically-needed growth capital ($2.5 million)
• Pre-development contracts for Black - and women owned businesses ($2 million +)

 
 
Ongoing Investments:

• FNB Financing for projects along the Centre and Wylie Avenue corridors ($17 million)
• Housing Stabilization & Development through the Housing Opportunity Fund ($8 million)
• Clay Cove / BPG Greater Hill Opportunity Fund to make equity investments in Hill-based real estate projects ($5 million)
• Development of culturally responsive, destination parks and open space ($2.5 million)
• FNB Hill District Gap Lending Program with loans and flexible lending parameters for local businesses ($5 million)

 
Priorities for the Lower Hill go far beyond dollars and cents as well.  Hill District residents will see job opportunities for friends and families, funding to expand a business or fix a roof, as well as a boost to the long-anticipated Centre Avenue corridor revitalization.  Additional highlights in “resident-oriented investments” include support for the UPREP Milliones High School’s CTE program and scholarships for post-secondary education.
 
“America needs a new model for equitable development, and we are working with Hill District stakeholders to create it,” BPG’s co-President Chris Buccini said. “We are particularly grateful to Councilman Daniel Lavelle for his determined leadership to help elevate our engagement efforts and to guide us to the doorstep of full approvals. This iconic FNB Financial Center project will be the place where Pittsburgh builds back better.”
 
“We are proud to be partnering with FNB and The Buccini/Pollin Group to rebuild the Lower Hill into the new center of energy” said David Morehouse, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Penguins. “After years of planning and hard work, we are now advancing to create thousands of jobs, build job and wealth opportunities for local residents, and delivering upon our long-term commitment to invest in the growth of this region and in the revitalization of the historic Hill District.”
 
Community partnerships, capacity building and providing better access to capital are part of the development team’s commitment to the Hill District.
 
Clay Cove’s Managing Partner Amachie K. Ackah noted, “Monumental projects like this are not possible without the hard work and dedication of an amazing team. I would like to thank our development partner, The Buccini/Pollin Group, along with our championship caliber local partners, First National Bank, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the dedicated team in Mayor Peduto’s administration for their steadfast support and leadership.”