REAL ESTATE
YEAR IN REVIEW
This year, the Hill CDC has been working to bring the Greater Hill District Master Plan to life and keep homeownership in the Hill within the reach of Hill District residents. In order to accomplish these goals, the Hill CDC has been investing in several redevelopment projects throughout the Hill including, a new art gallery, home rehabilitations, and the revitalization of the New Granada Theater.
Hill District 100
The HD100 list was created as a challenge to show that there were at least 100 people who wanted to be homeowners in the Hill District. This list, which currently holds 219 people, provides individuals with programming to prepare for homeownership, including credit repair, and an opportunity to buy a rehabilitated home at an affordable rate, or in some cases, a market rate home, in the Hill. Requirements to be eligible to purchase one of our rehabs are (1) to be an HD100 member, and (2) to have a complete financial package, which includes pre-qualification for a mortgage.
723 Danube Street
723 Danube Street was the first HD100 property to be rehabbed and sold to a Hill District renter. This property features 2 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, a living room, dining room, full finished basement, fenced in lot and off street parking. Construction for this project was completed on December 28, 2017 and the property was sold on January 2, 2018 to a Hill District resident (formerly a renter).
2600 Webster Avenue
2600 Webster Avenue is the second property that was purchased, rehabbed and sold at the affordable rate of $120,000. This 2 bedroom, 2 bath home was acquired in April 2017. The rehab included a finished basement and a large fenced-in yard, and construction was completed in July 2018, after which the property was sold on July 17, 2018 to a Hill District family (formerly renters).
243 Lombard Street
243 Lombard Street is a 1,525 sq. ft. property sold to a long time Hill District renter through our HD100 program. This 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath property has a finished attic, infrastructure for a roof top balcony, and 2 car enclosed garage. The rehab for this property included new central AC, roof, electrical upgrade, kitchen with open layout, new ceramic floors, windows, hot water tank, and a complete bathroom remodel. This home sold to a Hill District family (formerly renters) for $120,000.
1933 Webster Avenue
1933 Webster Avenue is a 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath, 951 sq. ft. home. This property features a first floor bedroom, and an opportunity to purchase the adjoining lot through the URA. Target sale price is $105,000.
2517 Mahon Street
2517 Mahon Street is slated to be one of the first rehabbed properties of 2019. This rehab will include a newly remodeled kitchen, finished basement, new roof and windows, ceramic tile and new carpet throughout, and a new furnace, new water heater, and central AC. The target sale price is $105,000. This project is anticipated to be completed in March 2019.
1919 Webster Avenue
1919 Webster Avenue was a property scheduled to be demolished by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (“URA”) when it was brought to our attention by a long time Hill District resident. The Hill CDC was able to halt demolition on this property, and arrange acquisition of it through the URA. This house features 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, an eat-in kitchen, large third floor finished attic, unfinished basement, flat yard, and off street parking. This property was sold to Hill CDC on December 13, 2018. The target sale price is $133,000.
522 Landleiss Place
522 Landleiss Place is a property acquired by the Hill CDC in December 2018. This 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath house has an unfinished basement and a 1 car integral garage. The target sale price is $105,000. Construction will begin on this property early January 2019.
2343-2345 Centre Avenue
2343-2345 Centre Avenue was a vacant property for approximately 40 years. This property was acquired by the Hill CDC, and has been designated for 6 condos for veteran housing. A new roof and other stabilizing activities have been completed to prepare for construction in 2019.
Nafasi
The Nafasi project is a mixed use development located on Centre Ave. The building is owned by Omicelo, LLC, and will be master leased by the Hill CDC starting in June 2019. This project is designed for 6 micro apartments, with a café and community space on the 1st floor, and studio space in the basement. Construction on this property will resume shortly and we are currently searching for a Nafasi Arts Program Coordinator to both program and manage the space, and develop the business skills of the resident artists.
Shawnee Townhouse Project
The Shawnee Townhouse Project is a result of funding provided by KeyBank to increase homeownership in the Upper Hill. This project will rehabilitate four townhomes on Shawnee street with the necessary repairs to the masonry, new windows and doors, new HVAC-Furnace and Central Air, a bathroom and kitchen remodel, and more.
2144 Wylie Avenue (Wylie Apartments & Bistro)
2144 Wylie Avenue is two 2-bedroom apartments rehabbed and placed in service at below-market rates. The first floor space will be prepped for the installation of a restaurant.
2158 Wylie Ave (Buice's Salon)
2158 Wylie Avenue is the location of the former Buices Salon and was purchased by the Hill CDC at the end of 2018. The salon will add to the Artists’ Enclave along with Nafasi and 2144 Wylie Avenue. The first floor salon will host a commercial tenant, post renovation. Upper floors of the building will host communal style living for 5 bedrooms, shared-kitchen, dining space, and bathroom.
HillWorks at New Granada
HillWorks is slated to serve as an interim use for the New Granada Theater. It is located in the 1,200 sq. ft. entrance of New Granada, along Centre Avenue. This space will host retail pop-up shops, business programming, and other community related activities.
New Granada Square Apartments
The New Granada Square Apartments is a mixed use development in partnership with CHN Housing Partners. This project features 40 affordable, 1 and 2 bedroom apartments with an artist preference over 7,200 sq. ft. of commercial space. We have applied for a Low Income Tax Credit ("LIHTC") from the Pittsburgh Housing Finance Authority (“PHFA”), and will find out whether it was awarded in March 2019. If successfully awarded, we aim to complete financing and begin breaking ground at the end of 2019.
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