Abney: nearly $24 million in community grants awarded

Rep. Aerion Andrew Abney    November 4, 2024 | 11:56 AM

PITTSBURGH, Nov. 4 – State Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, announced that a total of $23.975 million in state grants was awarded to several local institutions.

Abney and state Sen. Wayne Fontana, D-Allegheny, helped secure Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program funds for the following 12 projects:

  • Left Lane Development – $6 million for reconverting Gulf Tower into a hotel/apartment complex, which will also have space for a grocer and bar/restaurant.
  • Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh – $4 million for converting near-term office space to mixed-income housing and improving street-level retail spaces in downtown Pittsburgh.
  • CCA CBD Pittsburgh LLC – $3.5 million for new tower construction at the future home of City Club Apartments.
  • iPenn Ventures LP – $2.5 million for overhaul work at an existing office building located at 933 Penn Ave.
  • The Oakland Property Company – $2 million for renovating and developing 414 First Ave., which will be the future home of Privado 14.
  • MidPoint Group of Companies Inc. – $1.975 million for converting a vacant parking lot into a housing complex, which will include a pharmacy and other essential amenities.
  • YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh – $1.5 million for renovating and updating the Allegheny YMCA.
  • August Wilson African American Cultural Center – $500,000 for replacing four rooftop air handling units at the building.
  • Black River Real Estate Development LLC – $500,000 for redesigning and renovating the former Horace Mann School.
  • Charles Street Area Corp. – $500,000 for constructing seven or eight affordable, energy-efficient, for-sale homes in the Perry South neighborhood.
  • Faros Property Management LLC – $500,000 for renovating existing space, which will be turned into wet lab facilities for Life Sciences Accelerator Small Labs.
  • National Aviary in Pittsburgh Inc. – $500,000 for constructing a veterinary hospital, habitat, programming and office space at the facility.

“Investing in housing projects for the people of Pittsburgh, coupled with dollars for scientific research and the arts, means that the Steel City will continue to be a welcoming place to neighbors and visitors alike,” Abney said. “Thank you to Sen. Fontana for his collaboration in acquiring the funding.”

RACP is a Pennsylvania grant program for the design, acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects. RACP projects have a regional impact and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues or other measures of economic activity.