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Block F2 Urban Open Space is the westernmost gateway of the Lower Hill Master Plan’s comprehensive Urban Open Space framework that stretches eastward to Crawford Square and the historic Hill District Neighborhood, as well as historic and cultural sites such as the August Wilson House and Freedom Corner nearby. Situated at the corner of Washington Place and Centre Avenue, and stretching to Logan Street, the Block F2 is part of a connected series of open spaces that will link the Lower Hill along the re-established Wylie Avenue corridor to the recently completed Frankie Pace Park and Pittsburgh’s downtown business district, and beyond.
The landscape design is molded into the site’s steep topography and uses a series of switchbacks pathways to facilitate universal accessibility throughout the space. It draws on the Lower Hill PLDP’s sustainability strategies, using the open space for stormwater management and infiltration, as well as a primary native planting and a rich palette of materials that complement the other public open space improvements in the Lower Hill. This Final Land Development Plan (FLDP) for Block F2 Urban Open Space is part of a cohesive and contiguous framework of parks and public spaces for the Lower Hill redevelopment. Block F2 is a 1.27-acre tract that will extend the open space now under construction and approved as part of an earlier FLDP submittal for Block G4 and will provide community gathering spaces featuring an event lawn, overlooks, informal amphitheater, seating terraces, gardens, plazas, and pavilions which support active and passive uses. Block F2 will also provide continuous universal accessibility throughout the entire site from Washington Place to Logan Street when fully built out. The proposed uses and programming conform to and are consistent with the recent Preliminary Land Development Plan (PLDP) Amendment approved by City Planning in January 2023. Development Activities Meeting November 20 | 6:00 pm | Zoom Link here Join us for a presentation on the Block F2 Urban Open Space being hosted by the Hill District Consensus Group, Hill District Community Development Corporation and the Hill District Collaborative November 20th at 6:00 pm for a Development Activities Meeting. For the fourth year in a row, Buccini Pollin Group, Development Manger, Matt Corace, will be sharing his construction management expertise teaching a class on bidding and estimating as part of Riverside Center for Innovation's (RCI) BizFIT Tier 2 Construction program. As a native Pittsburgher, Matt feels right at home working on the Lower Hill redevelopment project and finds working with the budding entrepreneurs in RCI's BizFIT program very rewarding. This comprehensive program combines training, connections, and expertise to enable entrepreneurs to grow sustainable enterprises. The program runs November 28, 2023 - February 6, 2024, Tuesdays and Thursdays: 6 pm - 8 pm, offered Online via Zoom. If you want to learn more about construction management and gain confidence in your trade, and master your skills, sign up today!
BIzFIT Tier 2: Construction and Trade November 28, 2023 - February 6. 2024 Tuesdays and Thursdays: 6 pm - 8 pm Attendance is required for graduation Online via Zoom Registration Deadline: 11/28/2023 9:00 AM (EST) Fee: No Fee Point of Contact: Victoria Snyder 14129748215 Location: Pittsburgh PA 15212 Bomani Howze awarded, 'developer of the year' at Black Excellence in real estate 2023 gala9/21/2023 The Lower Hill Development team's, Bomani Howze, VP of Development for the Buccini Pollin Group and CEO and President of OLMEC Development was named Developer of the Year at the 2023 Black Excellence in Real Estate Awards Gala, September 21st, 2023. Black Excellence in Real Estate, founded in 2021 by Mary Hester, Owner of LifeVenture Real Estate Solutions, and Tammy T. Thompson, Founding Executive Director of Catapult Greater Pittsburgh promotes collaboration, partnership, and advocacy for the benefit of increasing Black homeownership in Pittsburgh. 2023 Black Excellence in Real Estate Honorees Developer of the Year: Bomani Howze, VP of Development, Buccini Pollin Group President and CEO, OLMEC Development Non-Profit of the Year: Action Housing Inc. Legacy Award: Richard Snipe, Executive Director, Pittsburgh Housing Development Corporation Trailblazer of the Year Award: Gloria Besley, Broker of Record, Regency Crest Realty Community Bank of the Year: PA Housing and Finance Agency Congratulations to all honorees for your demonstrated dedication to the real estate industry, advocacy, and leadership in the community and beyond!
Pittsburgh, August 10, 2023 – The Lower Hill Redevelopment Project team members hosted a community conversation with residents and stakeholders in the Lower Hill District at the Energy Innovation Center to discuss – and community members to ask questions about – the development.
Topics included the FNB Financial Center on Block G; the live music venue and garage on Block E; the Curtain Call public art project on Block A; an update on plans for housing on Block B, however, the most exciting announcement came in the form of a new opportunity made available to homeowners in Pittsburgh’s Hill District. The URA plans to use $465,000 from the Greater Hill District Neighborhood Reinvestment Fund to launch a grant program for homeowners to receive up to $20,000 to cover the cost of home repairs. The cash being used for the grant program is part of a $7.1 million contribution by the Lower Hill Redevelopment team made back in September 2021 that went into the fund. This marks the first time Greater Hill District Neighborhood Reinvestment Fund money will be available directly to Hill District residents. The Greater Hill District Neighborhood Reinvestment Fund takes diverted tax revenues from the Lower Hill redevelopment project — which is set to include a new live music venue, public safety station and other amenities — and provides funding for community needs throughout the Hill District. Its board is comprised of 12 Hill District community stakeholders.
For questions call 412-676-7550 voicemail system (calls will be returned within 48 hours) or email: hillrepair@ura.org
Mail Paper Applications to: Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh Residential Lending & Investments 412 Boulevard of the Allies, Suite 901 Pittsburgh, PA 15219  PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - People living in the Lower Hill District will soon start to see direct investment in the neighborhood from those leading the redevelopment of the former Civic Arena site.
Folks living throughout the Greater Hill have wondered how the Lower Hill redevelopment at the site of the former Civic Arena could help them. Many tell KDKA, a vote on Thursday is a step in the right direction. "We don't want it to be like Homestead when they built the Waterfront," said Dorian Moorefield, who lives and owns a business in the Hill District. Moorefield went to the Energy Innovation Center with an open mind to learn more about future Lower Hill redevelopment projects. He lives in the Lower Hill and owns a business in the neighborhood, but has concerns. "The people who live in the top of Homestead never benefited from that in regards to housing and funding and upgrades and things like that," he added. Members of the public were invited to weigh in on the projects at the site of the former Civic Arena, which includes a music venue, multi-level garage, space for local businesses, and affordable housing. But they also learned just hours earlier the Urban Redevelopment Authority unanimously approved a $465,000 fund for homeowners in the Hill District. "This is for the people in the older houses who need a roof fixed, who need plastering done, who need a new door, who need handicap accessible entries," says Dr. Kimberly Ellis, director of community, arts, and culture for the Buccini/Pollin Group. Read more from CBS News Pittsburgh KDKA
Download the presentation deck here
 As featured in Pittsburgh City Paper by By Kahmeela Adams-Friedson
Community members have not forgotten what the Hill District once was, and what it could be again. Among those set on revitalizing the area are Dr. Kimberly Ellis and her employer, the Buccini/Pollin Group, a development firm based in Wilmington, Del. Ellis is also very concerned with other area neighborhoods being rebuilt well before “one of the oldest and most famous neighborhoods in the country.” A large part of Ellis’ motivation can be attributed to the people who call the neighborhood home. “I just wanted to keep the mothers in the community that I knew who walked around the Lower Hill, who saw The Hill as still a safe haven, I wanted to keep them safe,” she says. Read the full story here as posted in Pittsburgh City Paper, June 7, 2023
May 18th 2023 marked a significant day for the Lower Hill Redevelopment and Pittsburgh region with the Topping Off Ceremony for the FNB Financial Center, a 26-story commercial office building, home to the new headquarters of anchor tenant, First National Bank. Working with construction manager, PJ Dick, and MWBE consultant, E Holdings, lead developer, The Buccini/Pollin Group, and project partners, the Pittsburgh Penguins, Clay Cove Capital and First National Bank are proud to announce that one-third of construction contracts for the project have been awarded to minority-owned businesses.
Watch partners, community stakeholders and elected officials give remarks before signing the last structural beam then step back to view the crane lift it over 400' to it's permanent home at the crown of the building structure. Speakers in order of appearance: • Bomani Howze , Vice President of Development for Buccini/Pollin Group • Deputy Mayor Jake Pawlak • Vince Delie, Jr., President, Chairman and CEO, F.N.B. Corp • Kevin Acklin, President & CEO, Pittsburgh Penguins • Theresa Giacomino, PJ Dick • City Councilmember Daniel Lavelle • Amachie Ackah, Managing Partner, Clay Cove Capital • Missy Johnson, Owner, Diverse Industrial Solutions • Janai Williams, Managing Partner, E.Holdings Inc. • Dr. Kimberly C. Ellis, Director of Community, Arts and Culture, Buccini/Pollin Group • Chris Buccini, President, Buccini/Pollin Group Special thank you to guest speakers and contractors working on the site: • Curtis Morehead, Owner, Emerald Electrical Services LLC • Roy Butler, Owner, Butler Landscaping • PJ Dick, Mascaro Construction, Massaro Construction For more information www.fnbfinancialcenter.com The Lower Hill Redevelopment team partnered with the First Source Center and also the Master Builders Association to try to bring career opportunities to residents of the greater Hill District, Wednesday May 10th at the Energy Innovation Center. Members of the community were invited to a Career and Union Job Fair to network with over forty employers. They had the chance to meet with Labor Unions as well as companies like First National Bank, the Pittsburgh Penguins and UPMC. Students, adults and formerly incarcerated individuals, residence and seniors were invited to participate in the career fair. Thank you to all of those who supported making this event a success!
We are thrilled to announce a dynamic collaboration that will shape the future of the Lower Hill District in Pittsburgh with the URA's approval of a 910-space parking garage and 4,500-seat entertainment facility by Live Nation on the Lot E site of the former Civic Arena in the Lower Hill District.
It's a combination project that also includes a public safety facility expected to serve as an economic generator for the rest of the more than 28-acre Lower Hill redevelopment, with the garage providing spaces and revenue for the rest of the plan, while the entertainment facility is expected to serve as a destination draw for concerts and other entertainment. The Lower Hill Redevelopment team is comprised of the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Buccini/Pollin Group (BPG). BPG is renowned for their commitment to urban restoration, brings forth a wealth of experience in creating vibrant, mixed-use communities. The inclusion of Live Nation, a global leader in live entertainment, further underscores commitment to creating a vibrant cultural hub within the district. With their expertise and network, they aim to bring world-class events and performances to the Lower Hill, attracting visitors from near and far while nurturing a thriving local arts scene. Read more from the Pittsburgh Business Times here  We are excited to announce a significant agreement has been reached with the Pittsburgh Penguins and a church in the Hill District, Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church marking a crucial step forward in our shared vision for transforming the community.
Through collaborative efforts and extensive negotiations, the Penguins have successfully secured an agreement with the church, allowing them to acquire the necessary land for the development project. This agreement reflects our shared commitment to community engagement, fostering positive relationships, and ensuring inclusive growth. We are grateful for the church's collaboration and shared vision, and look forward to working closely with them and the broader Hill District community as we move forward with the development project. The Lower Hill Redevelopment team remains committed to transparent communication, active community involvement, and ongoing collaboration. We believe that by working together, we can create a vibrant, equitable, and prosperous future for the Hill District, Pittsburgh, and all those involved in this historic endeavor. Read more from WESA 90.5
Members of the Lower Hill Redevelopment team met community members for an in-person presentation and discussion on the Lower Hill Redevelopment. Project progress, news and updates were shared with a crowd of nearly 100 people Wednesday, April 5th at the Energy Innovation Center.
Video credit KDKA Pittsburgh Action News  Meet Aaliyah McMullen, CEO and founder of AMacMedia & Co. She is alumni of Clarion University of Pennsylvania studying communications, public relations and advertising. She also has experience in sales, customer service and consulting. Hear from her below about AMAC Media's work with the Lower Hill Redevelopment in this short Q&A.
How did you get involved in the Lower Hill Redevelopment project? I got involved in the Lower Hill Redevelopment by getting hired as a contractor to manage the social media pages for the Lower Hill. What is your role in the project? I am responsible for community engagement on social media, content creation, social media, and advertisement. What impact will your work have on the project? My work will impact the project by providing a digital space for Pittsburgh's community and city to be more involved with updates and events involving the project. Why is this work important for the Hill District? Black community? Everyone has a story. We all want to be heard—that’s why we use social media. My role is to help spread the word about how important it is to tell your story and make people proud to be part of the culture of the Historic Hill District and Pittsburgh. Words of wisdom or how do you personally stay motivated? Words of Wisdom: You don't have to have it all figured out! |
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