HACP and Partners Celebrate at "Stake in the Ground" Ceremony for Bedford Choice Neighborhood Initiative Redevelopment, Phase I: Reed-Roberts

HACP officials were joined by our partners with?the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Mid-Atlantic, City of Pittsburgh, Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA), Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), Hill Community Development Corporation, Hill District Consensus Group, Trek Development, and the Hill Collaborative Monday morning at the intersection of Reed and Roberts streets in the Hill District to mark an age of revitalization and transformation for the historic neighborhood.?

The initial phase of a multi-million-dollar rebirth of the Bedford Dwellings community, the oldest occupied public housing development in the city and state, was celebrated with a Stake in the Ground ceremony on site Monday.?

HACP Executive Director Caster D. Binion thanked all parties involved, including the HACP board and staff, the City of #Pittsburgh, and the residents of the Hill District, or “Team Pittsburgh,” during the ceremony.?

The HACP is a proud recipient of a $50 million?Choice Neighborhoods Initiative grant, which will be used toward the redevelopment of Bedford Dwellings. The City of?Pittsburgh has also committed $30 million in funding to the endeavor, along with gap financing through the?PHFA that will yield over $26 million in equity to these units.?

The Reed-Roberts portion of the project includes 123 mixed-use units, 90 of which will be replacement units for existing Bedford Dwellings residents.?

The development will also open up 200 jobs, many of which will be filled by community members.?

Once complete, the new Bedford Dwellings will comprise more than 830 units (more than double the current number of affordable housing units).??

“We work as a team to make this happen,” Mr. Binion said. “Team Pittsburgh sets the path for the nation as far as affordable housing, and we will continue to do so.”

Quianna Wasler, Chief Housing Officer with?URA, said when she sees the site, she sees more than a site for residential buildings.?“I see a vibrant future for the Hill District,” she noted, touting the unwavering spirit of the residents and community groups of the neighborhood.?

Michael Horvath,?Pittsburgh Field Office Director, congratulated the HACP and its partners for this historic project, noting HUD’s CNI grants helped to set the stage for investment in the Hill District community.?

Longtime Hill District residents Ms. Laray Moton and Ms. Lori Strothers held a moment of silence for the late Gail Felton, longtime Bedford Dwellings Tenant Council President who passed away on Sept. 15.?Mayor Ed Gainey called Mrs. Felton a community champion whose purpose was to advocate for the redevelopment of Bedford Dwellings.?

Mayor Gainey said once the project is complete in 2031, the Hill District will not be the same neighborhood from 30 years ago.?

“Part of my administration’s mission is to make Pittsburgh the most livable city,” he said. “We want it to be safe and affordable for everyone, and we want to let you know that you can raise your families here; you have opportunities here.”

“Let’s tear down the notions of yesterday and show them a Pittsburgh they’ve never seen before,” he added. “And you know what we’re going to call it? Come on home!”

For more information, read the full Press Release here:?https://bit.ly/4fiX7od

Council of Large Public Housing Authorities /?National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO)