The Commonwealth Financing Authority this week approved construction and planning grants totaling over $20.8 million for 15 projects through the Business in Our Sites (BOS) program. Four of the projects funded were brownfield or environmental cleanup projects.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh will receive a $1,261,850 grant and a $1,261,850 loan for the redevelopment of the former J. Allan Steel Site in Pittsburgh. BOS funds will be used for demolition, site preparation and environmental remediation of the site. The 3.9-acre site will be developed into the Pierpoint Professional Center, which will consist of up to 100,000-square-feet of river-front office and high-tech flex space. It is estimated that this project will bring 200 new jobs to the area.

Allegheny County: The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh will receive $168,500 in planning grant funds to assist with the planning of the region's first Transit Oriented Development in Pittsburgh. The funds will be used to conduct market and traffic studies, economic impact analysis, property appraisals, environmental assessments and engineering designs. The development of the Eastside Transit Oriented Development will be primarily for commercial use, consisting of approximately 18,000-square-feet of office space geared toward new technology industries along with a national retailer and other retail mixes. It is anticipated that this project will bring 240 new jobs to the area.

The RIDC of Southwestern Pennsylvania will receive $170,000 in planning grant funds to assist with the development of the Lawrenceville Technology Center. BOS planning grant funds will be utilized for the engineering, design, environmental assessment and market study. RIDC intends to develop the site, a former forging facility for Heppenstall Steel Company, into the Lawrenceville Technology Center to attract small- to mid-sized growing companies that will offer high paying employment opportunities. The development of this site is expected to generate approximately 200 new jobs.

The Redevelopment Authority of Washington County will receive $130,485 in planning grant funds to support the redevelopment of the former Fort Pitt Bridgeworks site in Canonsburg. The BOS funds will be used to perform an environmental assessment, market study, general appraisals and some design work at the site to assist in preparation for new flex manufacturing space. The redevelopment of the site will include will include 81,000-square-feet of office space and 150,000-square-feet of warehouse/manufacturing space. It is anticipated that nearly 550 jobs will be located in the flex building.

For more information, go to the Business in Our Sites webpage or call 1-866-GO-NEWPA (1-866-466-3972).

NewsClip: Business in Our Sites Projects Announced

7/22/2005