Swisshelm Park Solar

The URA is in the process of completing environmental remediation at a site in the Swisshelm Park neighborhood that was formerly a dumping ground for slag, a derivative of the steel manufacturing process. Once remediation is complete, the URA plans to issue a Request for Proposals for a future solar development.  

Background

The goal of this project is to remediate the site and to select a redeveloper to enter into a long-term lease agreement and redevelop a 15-acre property into a highly-efficient solar array project. The developer will be responsible for constructing an access road to the site, while managing an effective community outreach strategy, encouraging ecological biodiversity, and ensuring a completed product that will complement a Frick Park extension on the neighboring parcels. 

For decades, the URA intended to build housing on this site as the third and final phase of the Summerset at Frick Park development. This project marks a change of direction and a turn toward a cleaner energy future for the City of Pittsburgh. 

Temporary Trail Closure for Public Safety

As a result of the remediation work underway, a section of the Nine Mile Run Trail between Commercial Street and Duck Hollow will close unremittingly. This temporary closure is expected to take effect on May 8, 2025 between the pedestrian bridge over Lower Nine Mile Run and the southern Commercial Street access point. The trail will be closed for the duration of the remediation work, which is expected to last through the end of September 2025.

Those using Frick Park for recreation during this period are encouraged to plan accordingly and use other park access points in Squirrel Hill, Point Breeze, and Regent Square. 

 

Alternative Routes to Access Frick Park 

Instead of accessing the Nine Mile Run Trail via Old Browns Hill Road in Duck Hollow, bicyclists and pedestrians can take Parkview Boulevard to Summerset Drive, turn left onto Forward Avenue, and then right onto Beechwood Boulevard, leading to Squirrel Hill access points, including the Riverview Trail/Blue Slide Playground entrance or the Beechwood Gate Entrance.  

If descending from Swisshelm Park, bicyclists and pedestrians may use PennDOT’s relocated trail, as part of the I-376 Parkway East - Commercial Street Bridge Replacement project, to access the northern end of Nine Mile Run and Frick Park. This path may face intermittent closures.  

The URA does not recommend using the portion of Forward Avenue between Summerset Drive and the former Irish Centre as there are no bike lanes or sidewalks.  

Project Timeline

Phase 1: Remediation

• Community Input Meeting (October 18, 2023)
  
  
• Pre-Invitation to Bid Community Meeting (July 29, 2024)
  
  
• Pre-Invitation to Bid Event for Contractors (August 19, 2024)
  
  
• Remediation Invitation to Bid Opens (September 30, 2024)
  
  
• Construction Management and Construction Inspection - Invitation to Bid Closes (October 30, 2024)
  
  
• Construction - Invitation to Bid Closes (November 8, 2024)
  
  
• Pre-Construction Community Meeting (January 9, 2024)
  
  

• Remediation Construction Update Meeting (January 29, 2025)

• Remediation Construction Commences (April 7, 2025)

• Remediation Construction Expected to End (September 2025)

Phase 2: Solar Development

• Solar Development RFP Releases (Q3 2025)
  
  
• RFP Closes (Q4 2025)
  
  
• Review Committee Shortlists Developers (Q4 2025)
  
  
• Design & Development Review Community Meeting (Q4 2025)
  
  
• Pre-Final Design Community Meeting (Q4 2025)
  
  
• Solar Construction Commences (Q2 2026)

Stay Up to Date

If you would like to be kept informed about upcoming community meetings related to this project, please contact Lilly Freedman at Lfreedman@ura.org.