Planning Commission recommends Troy Hill Fire House for historic designation

Pittsburgh’s Planning Commission on Tuesday formally recommended the Troy Hill Fire House for historic designation.

The nomination has also earned the recommendation of the Historic Review Board, though City Council will ultimately make the final decision.

The building, which dates to the 1890s, is a centerpiece of the Troy Hill neighborhood, often showcased in photos of events or celebrations in the Troy Hill neighborhood, said Sarah Quinn of Pittsburgh’s Department of City Planning.

The two-story brick structure, which is now used for civil service purposes, is located on Ley Street.

Because Troy Hill is a relatively isolated neighborhood set high on a hill, response time for fires there was slow in the era of horse-drawn wagons. Early maps show many dwellings in Troy Hill were constructed of frame and often sat very close together. That — combined with the prevalent use of wood and coal stoves — made establishing a fire department in the neighborhood a priority, according the historic designation nomination letter.

Several other fire stations have already earned historic designation in the city, Quinn said.

In introducing the nomination to the Planning Commission last month, Quinn called the site an “identifying landmark” for the Troy Hill neighborhood.

The Planning Commission unanimously recommended the site receive historic designation. Commissioners Christine Mondor and Becky Mingo were not present for the vote.

City Council will take the recommendations of the Historic Review Board and Planning Commission into consideration when they make the final vote on the matter.