Centre Avenue Corridor

Through an inclusive, community-informed process and innovative partnerships, the Centre Avenue Corridor project will lay the foundation for the transformation of 170 vacant or idle properties into multiple commercial, residential and office spaces over the next several years.

Background

In July 2019, the URA issued a Request for Qualifications from one or more developers or development teams to participate in the revitalization of various scattered sites along Centre Avenue in the Middle Hill neighborhood of the City of Pittsburgh.

The goal of this RFQ is to select Developers to work to implement uses and further the concepts that have been articulated by the community as described in the 2015 Centre Avenue Corridor Redevelopment and Design Plan and Greater Hill District Master Plan. Central to these plans are the following priorities:

• Creating opportunities for minority and local Developers
  
  
• Revitalizing Centre Avenue as the neighborhood’s primary retail, institutional, and cultural node as well as a strong residential
  neighborhood
  
  
• Building upon the African American cultural legacy
  
  
• Creating family-friendly housing without displacement
  
  
• Fostering economic empowerment
  
  
• Producing comprehensive sustainability and quality design

RFQ Process

The URA is issuing the Centre Ave RFQ in phases and selecting multiple developers throughout the numerous phases. So far, the URA released Round 1 and Round 2 of the Centre Ave RFQ.

After RFQ responses are received, the URA:

• Reviews and evaluates responses
• Solicits community input, and if appropriate;
• Makes recommendations for consideration by the URA Board of Directors
• Re-releases the RFQ, amended to reflect a revised list of available sites

Results

This community-driven process will transform the Corridor through the redevelopment of 170 URA and City-owned parcels, containing 162 vacant lots and eight structures. Projects will include ground-floor commercial space with compatible multi-story residential, office or flexible space.