SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS IN THE STEEL VALLEYThe Waterfront development was initiated over 10 years ago. The development has been a catalyst for new economic activity, jobs and a new image and vibrancy for the area. It's estimated that $450 million has been invested there.
The SVEZC directed the Comprehensive Urban Design Plan which was completed in 2000 and adopted by the 3 boroughs put forth an ambitious plan for revitalization of the Eighth Avenue Corridor.
The plan helped secure a $5 million Capital Grant from the State. With this and another $5 million public funds from Allegheny County major infrastructure investments were made. This includes improvements to Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Avenues. Also there was the construction of the West Flyover Ramp to The Waterfront and approximately $30 million expended on the Homestead Grays Bridge reconstruction.
Soon private and other public investments began to take place in the Route 837 Corridor in the traditional business district. Among the completed projects are:
Munhall Square I & II
The Bost Building by Steel Industry Heritage Corporation
Allegheny County Housing Authority renovation of the
240 unit Homestead Apartments
The rehabiliation of 331-339 E. Seventh Avenue by
Franjo Construction/Nello Foods
During Rehabilitation
After Rehabilitation
McClure Street Garage by Franjo Construction
During Rehabilitation
After Rehabilitation
Urban Design Ventures, LLC at 212 East Seventh Avenue/211 East Eighth Avenue
Hruska Plumbing Expansion at McClure and Eighteenth Avenue, Homestead
Extreme Restoration, Inc.-Timothy & Amy Olson at
301 West Seventh Avenue in West Homestead
225 East Eighth Avenue (225 East Eighth Street Associates, L.P.-Joe Ranii
The building at Sixth Avenue and Amity Street including
the Blue Dust Restaurant, 601 Amity Street, Homestead. Visit the Blue Dust Restaurant's website at www.bluedustpgh.com.
Tin Front Cafe and Annex Cookery, 216-218 East Eighth Avenue, Homestead
Another recent successful development project is pictured elsewhere on this page - the Tin Front Cafe and Annex Cookery at 216-18 East Eighth Avenue, owners David Lewis and Judith Tener-Lewis. Visit the website at www.tinfrontcafe.com.
PROJECTS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION OR SOON TO BE INITIATED:
Historic Homestead Bakery/King's LLC (Batch Development) and Sixth and Seventh Avenues between Amity and Ann Street
King's Bakery, LLC is making progress. The building at 120 E. Seventh Avenue in Homestead is being converted into loft apartments and commercial space by King's Bakery, LLC, owned by Charlie Batch. Construction began on this $4.7 million development earlier this year. Apartments will be available for rent in late 2010.
The Steel Valley Enterprise Zone Corporation provided financing assistance to the project along with other public funding from Allegheny County, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and private bank financing.
Half Brothers Building at 120-122 East Eighth Avenue by
Engram/Haynes Development
Vantage Court Senior Housing (LifeSpan, Inc.) at 300 East Eighth Avenue
Homestead Municipal Building (Borough of Homestead) in Seventh Avenue Parking Lot.
Future developments include:
-The rehab of 227 East Eighth Avenue by Joe Ranii
-Brick and Flower Buildings (L.P. Group, LLC) in the 100 block of East Eighth Avenue
-Hodanic Building (L.P. Group, LLC) in the 300 block of East Eighth Avenue
-Former Daniels Shoes Building at East Eighth Avenue and McClure Street
And other developers are discussing investments.
Loft Apartments in the Central Business District
We're going to see new business activity and over 50 completely renovated loft residential apartments in the central business district that will change the character of the area. These are being rented at market rate. And we'd like to note that thousands of jobs have been created over this period of time, from 2000 to the present.
In the neighborhoods over the last 10 years the Homestead-area Economic Revitalization Corporation and the Mon Valley Initiative completed 30 new or rehabbed units with $4.7 million of investment. 13 new units are being built for approximately $3 million of investment. And in conjunction with the Second Baptist Church on 12th Avenue in Homestead a new 35-unit senior apartment building was built at a cost of approximately $4.5 million.
These projects cumulatively represent over 3/4 of a billion dollars of investment.
Many of these projects were assisted by the Steel Valley Enterprise Zone Corporation through the Enterprise Zone Business Loan Fund, the Building Investment Loan Fund and the State Enterprise Zone Tax Credit Program. We also assist in identifying other public and non-profit financing assistance from Allegheny County and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and financial assistance such as Federal Historic Tax Credits, and real estate tax abatements. We work in partnership with these agencies and with financial institutions. We like to say the best deals you can get are in Enterprise Zones!
ALLEGHENY COUNTY APPROVES MULTI-MUNICIPAL TAX ABATEMENT PROGRAM
Allegheny County Council unanimously passed legislation to bring tax relief for new infrastructure development and redevelopment in the central business districts of Homestead, West Homestead and Munhall. This is a big step for intergovernmental cooperation in the Steel Valley and has also laid the groundwork for future cooperation.
The tax abatement program is named Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance, or "LERTA". The Council Presidents - Drew Borcik of Homestead, David Weir of West Homestead and Bernie Shields of Munhall have worked together to bring about this tax abatement program.
The program offers five year declining tax abatement on local, school district, and county taxes for new construction in the LERTA district which includes the central business district along Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth and Forest Avenues in the three boroughs.
The abatement is applied only to any increased assessed value resulting from improvements which include repairs, construction or reconstruction (not upkeep) made on industrial, commercial or business property.
Contact the borough offices for more information or for a list of eligible properties.
Homestead Borough - 412-461-1340
West Homestead Borough - 412-461-1844
Munhall Borough - 412-464-7312
