Pittsburgh's URA awarding $2.4M in grants to revitalize commercial corridors hurt by pandemic

Pittsburgh’s Urban Redevelopment Authority is awarding more than $2.4 million in grant money to revitalize commercial corridors adversely affected by the covid-19 pandemic.

The Avenues of Hope grants, funded with federal covid relief money, will go to 20 businesses across the city. The URA received 45 grant applications by the April deadline.

Grant money will be used to renovate Hill House and expand the Hill District Federal Credit Union’s storefront on Centre Avenue. Herron Village will receive over $143,000 to renovate three mixed-use commercial spaces, while Black Beauty Cafe is getting more than $82,000 to covert its commercial space. Catapult Gallery on Centre is set to receive up to $25,000 for upgrades to its Centre Avenue facility.

In the North Perrsyville Avenue corridor, grants will provide Observatory Hill Deli and Ida’s Sandwich Shop with covid-19 relief money. Observatory Hill Coffee Shop will receive up to $100,000 to help reclaim vacant buildings.

In the South Perrysville Avenue corridor, Avenue Cafe Premier & Day Care Center will receive up to $190,000 to help reclaim vacant buildings. Wilson’s Barbecue is slated to receive $80,000.

The James T. Givner Building will receive up to $200,000 to develop two commercial spaces in the Homewood Avenue Corridor. The Community Empowerment Association is slated to receive the same amount for an outdoor plaza the nonprofit is building.

“I’m excited to see this investment into the Homewood community,” said Community Empowerment Association CEO Rashad Birdsong. “This opportunity, I think it opened up more participation in our community.”

In the Second Avenue corridor, the URA is giving $141,000 to Pulsus Digital Studio so it can renovate its office and studio space. Equity One-Stop Shop is set to receive $137,000 for bathroom and kitchen renovations for its community space, while Hazelwood Initiative is slated to get over $22,000 for commercial renovations.

Larimer IV White Box is slated to see a $198,000 grant to help with commercial development in the Larimer Avenue corridor. A $100,000 grant will help Urban Academy of Pittsburgh Charter School with improvements to a community center.

Paramount Pursuits is slated to receive $99,000 for a 12-month business mentorship program in the East Warrington Avenue/Brownsville Road corridor. Hilltop Alliance and Knoxville Community Council’s Small Business Signage and Support program will receive up to $47,500.

In the Chartiers Avenue corridor, Paramount Pursuits will receive another $99,000 to also bring its 12-month business mentorship program there.

“This is a good example of American Rescue Plan dollars being put to work for the benefit of our communities and for the benefit of our residents,” URA Board Chair Kyle Chintalapalli said.