Construction to start this summer on Pittsburgh's Homewood Field

Work is expected to start this summer on a project to update Homewood Field with a regulation-size football field and other amenities.

Officials held a ceremonial groundbreaking at the site Tuesday ahead of construction on the project.

“Homewood Field is a beloved and heavily used resource by the community,” Mayor Ed Gainey said. “The redesigned and soon-to-be constructed campus will give our kids a place to learn how to swim, develop team and sportsmanship skills and our community a place to gather.”

Homewood Community Sports — in partnership with The Heinz Endowments, Operation Better Block, Neighborhood Allies, Bridging the Gap Development and The Mission Continues — began a grassroots study of field improvements at Willie Stargell Field in 2015. The study identified challenges with existing conditions at the site, including that the current field serves as both a baseball and football field though it is inadequately sized for both sports.

Homewood Community Sports developed a master plan for the existing field and the expansion of Homewood Park onto the former Homewood School property on Hamilton Avenue.

Plans include a regulation-size football field with seating and accessibility improvements for people with disabilities, as well as a playground and multipurpose courts for various activities.

The plan also calls for the relocation of the existing pool and bathhouse to accommodate field renovations, officials said.

Today is a day to celebrate because the Homewood community has stayed the course. After 8 years of hard work and dedication, we have broken ground on the new construction at Homewood Field. pic.twitter.com/phNINemMPJ

— Mayor Ed Gainey (@MayorEdGainey) May 23, 2023

A cultural and performance space, connected with the Afro American Music Institute, also will be built at the site.

Officials said they plan to connect the park to the Martin Luther King Jr. Busway and renovate a pedestrian bridge to Westinghouse Park.

The renovations, officials said, aim to connect the neighborhood with other local amenities and create a space for neighborhood youth.

The project, estimated to cost between $12 million and $16 million, is partially funded by grants from The Heinz Endowments and Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.

The city is accepting bids for the project, and officials said they’re actively working to increase involvement with minority- and women-owned businesses.

“It is vitally important to increase diversity in our business spaces and workforce, because we know it leads to greater innovation and allows minority- and women-owned businesses the opportunity to succeed in markets that they historically wouldn’t,” Gainey said. “Diverse participation in this, and all city projects, creates a Pittsburgh where anyone can thrive.”

Construction is expected to begin this summer once contractors are in place, officials said. The football field will be prioritized, and officials anticipate it will be completed by fall 2024, in time for football season. The rest of the project is expected to be finished by spring 2025.

The city last year announced four artists have been commissioned to create permanent art installations at the park.