Abney: $10.5 million awarded for 9 local projects

Rep. Aerion Andrew Abney    October 27, 2022 | 10:10 AM

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 27 – Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, announced today that nine local projects have been awarded a combined $10.5 million in state grants.

“These projects mark a major state investment in our community,” Abney said. “Whether it’s housing, office renovation, historic preservation or building habitat for the National Aviary, these projects will have a lasting impact on our community, and I want to thank everyone involved who has helped make them happen.”

Projects awarded today include:

  • $750,000 to Bethlehem Haven Women's Permanent Supportive Housing to reconfigure living spaces for 26 women to have their own independent living.
  • $750,000 to Cineplex on Sixth Street to redevelop 119 Sixth Street (the former site of Bally Total Fitness Club) into a cineplex in downtown Pittsburgh. It will cover metals, millwork, plumbing and HVAC systems and flooring for the site.
  • $1 million to Emerald City Development  to acquire the Pitt Building downtown and develop the infrastructure to create an event space, office suites, daycare, warehouse and performance space and a restaurant.
  • $500,000 to Hazelwood Equity One-Stop Resource Center to acquire and renovate the former Church of the Good Shepherd along with an adjoining two-story hall.
  • $3 million to Horace Mann Village for a project which includes the redesign and renovation of the historic former Horace Mann School into residential and commercial spaces.
  • $500,000 to the National Aviary for a project that includes construction of a state-of-the-art veterinary hospital with viewing areas where visitors can watch staff as they work, building a habitat and programming space where learners can engage with animal ambassadors and include support space as well which will house hospital operations during construction and become much-needed office space for staff afterward.
  • $1 million for the Pittsburgh Press Building redevelopment which includes the full rehabilitation of the interior and exterior of the building to transform into a Class A office building.
  • $2 million for Privado 14 Downtown - Pittsburgh to renovate and develop the building at 414 First Avenue in Pittsburgh.
  • $1 million to Urban Impact Foundation - N. Charles Street Campus for the renovation of the two buildings Urban Impact purchased from The Pittsburgh Project as well as the development of a parking lot.