LOWER HILL REDEVELOPMENT

November 22, 2021 - Members of the BPG Development team celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony to christen the opening of the  I-579 CAP project, a three-acre park linking the Hill District and downtown neighborhoods. The park is an important articulation of the wish to rebuild the link destroyed in the 1950s with the interstate and Civic Arena, which resulted in the destruction and uprooting of one of Pittsburgh's largest predominantly Black neighborhoods. 

Throughout the park community-focused installations can be viewed, including designs by BPG's Director of Community, Arts and Culture, Dr. Kimberly C. Ellis. Lower Hill District redevelopment consultants LaQuatra Bonci Associates and Lakeisha Byrd also made significant design contributions to the formerly vacant land. See the final design plans here. 

The park itself is named after former head of the Hill District Community Council, Frankie Pace and serves to pay tribute to influential community activists of the past while also serving as a bridge to to the Hill District's future. 

"This is an investment in infrastructure that is also an investment in the community," Gov. Tom Wolf said. "This park has been a community-focused project from start to finish, which is exactly the way it should be. The project has turned a space of division into a space of connection, providing safe pathways from the Hill District down to the downtown, creating recreation opportunities and doing it with environmentally conscious, community-centric design. That's why I am so proud to support this project."

The project officially broke ground in June 2019 and is estimated to have cost $32 million. Falling adjacent to the Lower Hill District redevelopment, Frankie Pace Park serves as a cap over the Crosstown Boulevard between the Lincoln Highway and Centre Avenue. Many of the same design team will be working on the urban open space in the redevelopment project. 

November 21, 2021 - Lower Hill Redevelopment partners - Pittsburgh Penguins, the Buccini/Pollin Group were proud to partner with UPMC, ACH Clear Pathways and United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania on a COVID vaccination clinic for Hill District residents. The "Have a Heart & Take a Shot of Hope Vaccine Clinic", serviced over 60 people including 25 pediatrics. Thank you to all organizations that helped make this event possible: WAMO, UPMC , Pittsburgh Penguins, Giant-Eagle, United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania,  Buccini/Pollin Group
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Follow @lowerhillredev for information on upcoming clinics and events. 

November 10, 2021 - Members of Buccini/Pollin Group (BPG) executive team and JLL presented an update on the Lower Hill District redevelopment to a lunch audience of the Building Owners & Managers Association (BOMA) of Pittsburgh at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh. 

Highlights of the update included the announcement that I-579 Cap Park, a new three-acre span would soon be complete and expected to be open this winter (November 2021). Like the 28-acre former Civic Arena site, the CAP construction is a necessary step in the reconnecting of the Hill District to the central business district.

Lower Hill redevelopment presentation updates also included how the development team plans to better include the Black Hill District community with multiple community reinvestment initiatives in the larger redevelopment plan. Anchoring the site is the new $240 million FNB Financial Center located at the corner of Washington Place and Bedford Avenue. This 26-story office tower will feature ground floor retail and serve as the Corporate headquarters for FNB.

​Click here to see the site

On Friday October 8, 2021, officials participated in a celebratory ribbon cutting at Pittsburgh's historic Centre Avenue YMCA. Through a partnership between the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh and ACTION-Housing, Inc. more than $7 million in funds were raised to make repairs, including adding elevator, new bathrooms, air conditioning and more. Plans include 74 sleeping rooms with new private bathrooms, improvements to the kitchen, common areas and programming space. In addition to building upgrades, residents will receive additional wrap around social services.  

The 100 year old building is rich in history and one of the1st YMCA's in the country to offer accommodations to African Americans. Tenants over the years included baseball greats Jackie Robinson and Satchel Paige, boxing legend Joe Louis and singer Ella Fitzgerald.  Speakers at the event recognized the buildings significance. It was where the Pittsburgh brand of the NAACP and the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh were founded and it was the social center for generations of black Pittsburghers. 

The building will be owned by a nonprofit and governed by a board consisting of members from the YMCA, ACTION-Housing and the community. First National Bank (FNB) invested in the project (including loan, tax credits and grant), partnering with ACTION-Housing for the first five years. After those five years, interests will be relinquished and it will wholly be owned by the nonprofit. 

“Not only will this help a historically significant institution in the Hill District, but it’s going to help provide sanctuary and qualify of life opportunity for some of our men who are in need,” said State Rep. Jake Wheatley, D-Hill District in a 2020 interview. 

With a long history of service to the community FNB's total investment in the Hill District is in excess of $200 million in loans, investments and grants. Read more about it here. 

We're excited to kick-off a partnership with the Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs offered in Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) to make sure the students will have meaningful relevant work based learning experiences as part of the Lower Hill redevelopment. The CTE programs help prepare high school students for careers, learn 21st century job skills, earn industry certifications and college credits.

Buccini/Pollin's, Director of Arts, Culture and Community Engagement, Dr. Kimberly Ellis attended a luncheon roundtable kickoff event on Wednesday October 27th to discuss CTE's programs and areas of opportunity. 

Programs of Study include: 
Automotive Body Repair
Automotive Technology
Business Administration, Sports & Entertainment
Carpentry
Cosmetology
Culinary Arts
Early Childhood Education
Emergency Response Technology
Engineering Technology
Entertainment Technology
Finance Technology
Health Careers Technology
Information Technology
Machine Operations
Multimedia Production and Coding
RHVAC

Student registration is ongoing. For professionals who wish to donate their industry acumen and experience checkout information on CTE's Occupational Advisory Committee. For more information on the program, cohorts and partnership opportunities go to: https://www.pghschools.org/cte

Let's get social! In collaboration with Lower Hill development partner, the Pittsburgh Penguins, we are delighted to announce monthly ticket giveaways for select events happening at PPG Paints Arena. For a chance to win, simply follow @lowerhillredev (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube) and check daily for contest details. Below are pictures from this month's event Gold Over America Tour starring Simone Biles and an all star team of champion gymnasts. All ticket winners will be notified prior to the event with pick up details and PPG Paints arena venue requirements. 

​October Ticket Giveaway Winners 
Gold Over America  Tour Starring Simone Biles - October 29, 2021

Lower Hill District social media channels feature content on Hill District community events, the First Source Job Resource Center, construction and professional service job opportunities, M/WBE and small business information, trainings and FNB Financial Center leasing opportunities. 

In early October 2021, Lower Hill partner organization and national brokerage / property management powerhouse JLL funded and hosted a cohort of Facilities Management trainees for a series of hands on training sessions at the Energy Innovation Center. This is the first training session by a Lower Hill affiliate focused on future phases of building operations and administration. Recognizing that less than 1% of commercial real estate management roles belong to minorities, JLL is exploring additional Facilities Management training opportunities for 2022 and beyond as well as partnership opportunities for graduate job placement.

For more information contact Ed Manko at ed.manko@am.jll.com 

October 26, 2021 - With generous support of Lower Hill partners the Pittsburgh Penguins and F.N.B. Corporation, the City of Pittsburgh has transformed Ammon Recreation Center’s second floor into a new dynamic technology lab that will serve as a hub for Rec2Tech. Pittsburgh’s Department of Public Works completed the renovation project that includes brand new interior improvements designed to maximize the learning environment for young people highlighted by new furnishings, computers and brand new wireless technology and expanded networking to support the new tech learning lab and other portions of the recreation center. The Grand Opening was celebrated on October 25, 2021.
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Ammon Recreation Center was identified by the City and Hill District stakeholders to serve as one of first two hub learning environments in Pittsburgh to host a Rec2Tech program to provide access to technology, learn important job readiness skills like coding, artificial intelligence (AI), computer science and inspire creative exploration. Programming for the space will be managed by Citiparks, who oversees the Rec2Tech program, with partners Ozanam and the Josh Gibson Foundation to activate the space with tech learning opportunities for Hill District youth.

September 28, 2021 - Wilmington-based developer, The Buccini/Pollin Group, Inc. (BPG), F.N.B. Corporation (FNB), the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Clay Cove Capital are delighted to announce the closing on over $200 million of construction financing for the 26-story FNB Financial Center project, located in the Lower Hill District of Pittsburgh, on Friday, September 10, 2021. Equity for the project has been provided by Clay Cove Capital, one of the largest minority-owned real estate investment firms in the country. This is one of the largest community reinvestment projects in the state of Pennsylvania and has been recognized as a model for inclusive development around the United States. A ceremonial groundbreaking for the project was held earlier this month as well.
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“We are proud to achieve such important milestones for this transformational project – one that’s made possible by the strong partnership behind the FNB Financial Center,” BPG Co-President Chris Buccini said. “This partnership is made up of champions, and this project would not happen without our partners’ love of their hometown and our collective commitment to making Pittsburgh a better place for all its residents. We are excited about the future of this City, this community, and this significant investment, and look forward to working together to make great things happen in the Historic Hill District.”

The team’s community reinvestment efforts received a major boost from closing, as the transaction delivered over $7 million of monetized tax abatement benefits to the community-directed Greater Hill District Reinvestment Fund. The funding will be used to invest in development projects and other community needs in the Greater Hill District as outlined in the Community Collaboration and Implementation Plan (CCIP) between the neighborhood and the developers.  Possible applications for the funding could include local redevelopment projects, youth education programs, rent and mortgage assistance and other wealth-building and capacity-building efforts.
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Bomani M. Howze, Vice President of Development for the Buccini/Pollin Group, said, “We are excited to have delivered on our promise of the first installment of $7.2 Million toward the Greater Hill District Neighborhood Reinvestment Fund. The tax abatement monetization from the FNB Financial Center symbolizes a critical delivery on our commitment to ensuring that catalytic Lower Hill projects are developed to have lasting impact in the Middle and Upper Hill District.”

No other development in the city of Pittsburgh has ever generated such a large degree of direct cash impact to help invest in adjacent underserved neighborhood.

“I am grateful that we are not only seeing the development in the Lower Hill move forward to right the wrongs of the past and create opportunities in the historic Hill District, but that our development partners are demonstrating their commitment to the Hill community by providing community investment funding up front,” said Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto. “I’d like to thank all of the partners in this development and the Hill District community for creating a model where communities and developers can work together to help ensure the community benefits and drives investment in their neighborhood from these developments.”

Based on estimates, the Lower Hill tax abatement district could generate up to $40 million overall for the Greater Hill beginning with the FNB Financial Center. The 26-story mixed-use tower is designed to kick-start the redevelopment of the historic Pittsburgh neighborhood and serve as the corporate headquarters of FNB, the parent company of First National Bank.

“This point is the beginning of a transformational development not only for the Lower Hill, but the region,” said David Morehouse, CEO of the Pittsburgh Penguins at the office tower’s September 1st groundbreaking ceremony.

The tower is expected to generate 1,250 construction jobs, 2,000 permanent jobs and over $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 FNB’s regional headquarters operations, and include open space and terraces for community events at the adjacent Plaza at FNB Financial Center. Construction of the tower 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 of the 28-acre former Civic Arena site led by BPG, the Pittsburgh Penguins and their partners.

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 procurement 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.

Construction of FNB Financial Center will be led by P.J. Dick. Internationally renowned Gensler is leading the design team for the project. The Pittsburgh office of JLL is responsible for commercial leasing efforts.
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Construction of FNB Financial Center and the Plaza is expected to be completed in late 2023.

​In this month's episode of Wealth Building Wednesdays, BPG's VP of Development, Bomani Howze sits down with Dr. Diamonte Walker, Deputy Executive Director of the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA) to discuss the importance of public-private partnerships. Dr. Walker is committed to advancing and measuring equitable development by ensuring residents, business owners and institutions face the new realities of Pittsburgh's transforming economy. Hear from her in this month's episode. You won't want to miss it!

Part of FNB’s More Than $200 Million Investment in Historically Underserved Community
F.N.B. Corporation (NYSE: FNB) announced it has delivered an initial payment of nearly $7.2 million to the Greater Hill District Reinvestment Fund to support community investment and development.
The funds are part of a forward-thinking financing solution provided by FNB, in collaboration with the Pittsburgh Penguins, The Buccini/Pollin Group and Clay Cove Capital. This strategy enabled the partnership to monetize and make immediately available the Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA) revenue generated by the FNB Financial Center project, which otherwise would have been paid out over a 10-year period. Delivering the proceeds up front results in direct benefit for the Hill District, aligning with the development team’s extensive commitment to ensure that the construction of FNB’s new corporate headquarters fosters overall development and success in the community.
“Our close partnership with the Penguins and the entire development team made it possible for us to propose an innovative financial solution that had a greater and more immediate impact in the community,” said Vincent J. Delie, Jr., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of F.N.B. Corporation and First National Bank. “It took creativity, dedication and a joint effort to get these funds back into the Hill District more quickly, where they can be put to work in resources and initiatives that will foster success for residents and businesses that require the funding.”
FNB Financial Center is at the core of one of the largest, most socially responsible urban development initiatives in the U.S., with a commitment for substantial participation by minority- and women-owned businesses. The project is expected to be a catalyst for hundreds of millions of dollars in overall economic expansion, the creation of more than 1,000 jobs and significant neighborhood reinvestment.
With a long history of service to the community, FNB’s total investment in the Hill District is in excess of $200 million in loans, investments and grants. In addition to the LERTA funds, highlights include:

• A substantial equity investment to make FNB Financial Center possible.
• More than $20 million in investments and loans to foster affordable housing, revitalization and economic development, with high profile commitments including construction financing for Big Tom’s Barbershop for rehabilitation and the addition of affordable housing units at an iconic site on Centre Avenue.
• Investments in economic and workforce development, including through FNB’s commitment to create 160 new, full-time jobs.
• A pledge of nearly $9 million to grants and programs supporting neighborhood improvement and small business development, such as:
  • $5 million toward a proprietary real estate gap lending program;
  • A $1 million contribution to Invest PGH, a certified Community Development Financial Institution;
  • A $1 million contribution to an Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh program that provides working capital for minority contractors; and
  • Significant support for the renovation of the Centre Avenue YMCA.
• A proposal to facilitate the advance of $3 million of the Parking Tax Diversion for Parcel E (adjacent music venue and parking garage), to be deposited into the Housing Opportunity Fund so that roofs across the Hill District can be fixed and that residents can access funds to afford down payments on new homes.
• Extensive support for local community groups and organizations that has featured:
  • A $100,000 capital contribution to the Hill District Federal Credit Union to bolster its deposit base, building on a long-standing relationship.
  • Partnering with the Pittsburgh Penguins to contribute $100,000 to the Ammon Community Recreation Center in the Hill District for the creation of a transformational Rec2Tech computer lab and maker space that will help reduce the "digital divide" for students and families.
• The roll-out of specialized products and services to empower vulnerable families, including the availability of up to $2,500 in closing cost assistance to encourage homeownership in the Hill District and other urban markets throughout FNB’s footprint.

FNB’s significant investments in the Hill District are part of its larger commitment to strengthen vulnerable communities throughout its multi-state footprint. The Company will continue to deepen its support in the Hill District and Pittsburgh region overall as the FNB Financial Center development progresses, with completion anticipated in 2023.