PHLF News January 2015 ADVOCACY COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION EASEMENTS EDUCATION & RESEARCH RURAL PRESERVATION
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Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation Nonprofit Org. 100 West Station Square Drive, Suite 450 U. S. Postage Pittsburgh, PA 15219-1134 PAID www.phlf.org Pittsburgh, PA Address Service Requested Permit No. 598 Renewing Communities; Building Pride PPublishedH for the membersL ofF the PittsburghN History &ews Landmarks Foundation No. 180 January 2015 In this issue 6 Creating a Vital, Distinctive Downtown 12 Moments in a Fifty-Year Story 24 Events in 2015 Editor’s Note Built in 1904 as the Star Apartments, the Falconhurst at 724 Kelly Avenue will be resurrected from a state of near-collapse to house eighteen afford- So much was accomplished in 2014 able apartments, as part of The Landmarks Development Corporation’s $10.5 million restoration and development program in Wilkinsburg. through the work of PHLF and its subsidiaries as a result of the involvement and dedication of our trustees, staff, LDC Awarded Tax Credits for Falconhurst volunteers, and members. Highlights of 2014 include securing tax credits from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency in Neighborhood Restoration Development support of The Landmarks Development Corporation’s $10.5 million Falconhurst Program in Wilkinsburg Neighborhood Restoration Development Program in Wilkinsburg (cover story); obtaining a grant of $700,000 from the The Landmarks Development U.S. Treasury Department to augment Corporation (LDC), a for-profit Landmarks Community Capital subsidiary of the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation (PHLF), is Corporation’s loan fund (page 3); undertaking a new development initia- assisting with key renovation projects tive in Wilkinsburg, after successfully in Manchester and Bloomfield-Garfield completing the renovation of the (pages 3 and 4) and with Neighborhood Crescent Apartments and Wilson House Partnership Programs in Manchester, in December 2011. The Crescent and Wilkinsburg (page 3) and the City of Wilson, with their Butler (page 5); continuing our work in twenty-seven Downtown Pittsburgh to restore façades apartments fully An interior view (left) and rear view (above) and to adapt the former Thompson’s occupied—and of the Falconhurst in the fall of 2014 Building to house an urban market seven renovated (pages 6 and 7); bringing the leaders of single-family major development by PHLF/LDC in five nationally recognized preservation houses, new com- Wilkinsburg.” munity gardens and groups to Pittsburgh to meet with our Funding for this development is trustees (page 9); awarding $95,710 greenspaces, and complex. LDC is grateful to the many The Crescent, from the Landmarks in matching grants to twelve historic Kelly Avenue agencies that support its work in a Preservation variety of ways, and in particular to religious properties (pages 14 and 15); Resource Center––have transformed Allegheny County Executive Rich awarding Historic Landmark plaques to Wilkinsburg’s National-Register-listed “The $10.5 million development will Fitzgerald and Economic Development seventeen architecturally significant sites Hamnett Place neighborhood into a utilize low-income housing tax credits, Director Dennis Davin and his team. (pages 16 and 17); hosting a memorable lively, desirable place to live. awarded to LDC in June 2014 by the “This award recognizes the signifi- Scholarship Celebration and raising Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency “This new development program in cance of our historic architecture as an nearly $84,000 (pages 18 and 19); and (PHFA), and federal historic rehabilita- Wilkinsburg will create a total of thirty- anchor for community revitalization,” involving more than 12,800 people in three more affordable housing units in tion tax credits,” said Michael. “We said Wilkinsburg Mayor John educational programs, including the restored and newly constructed build- were pleased to win this competitive Thompson. ings,” said LDC President Michael tax-credit project for the continued Landmarks Preservation Resource “PHLF and LDC are committed Center attendance (pages 20 and 24). Sriprasert. The Falconhurst apartment restoration of this Wilkinsburg neigh- to achieving economic development We begin the new year with energy, building at 724 Kelly Avenue, adjacent borhood,” he added. by combining restoration and new enthusiasm, and a firm belief in our to the Crescent Apartments and vacant “These low-income housing tax credits construction to strengthen historic for more than fifteen years, will be are the best investment tool available neighborhoods,” said Jason Cohn, a ability to improve the lives of people renovated, along with 520 Jeanette to us to support the construction of Wilkinsburg resident. “Their investment by renewing communities and building Street, 855 Rebecca Avenue, and 608 affordable rental housing across is a big billboard to the outside world pride throughout the Pittsburgh region. Mulberry Street. Two new townhouses Pennsylvania,” said PHFA Executive will be constructed at 604 and 606 Director Brian A. Hudson, Sr. “We are (Continued on page 2) Mulberry Street. pleased that PHFA is funding a second 2 PHLF News January 2015 ADVOCACY COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION EASEMENTS EDUCATION & RESEARCH RURAL PRESERVATION Through the place, we renew LDC Awarded Tax Credits for Falconhurst Neighborhood the spirit of the people. Historic preservation Restoration Development Program in Wilkinsburg (Continued from page 1) can be the underlying basis of community renewal, that this neighborhood is safe and human renewal, a place to be. This next phase of and economic renewal. work will solidify the great invest- Site map for the Falconhurst Preservation is not some isolated ment that has already been made Neighborhood Restoration cultural benefit. by PHLF, LDC, PHFA, Allegheny Development Program County, TriState Capital Bank, —Arthur Ziegler, PHLF President and many others, and will push revitalization efforts further into the Borough,” he added. PHLF’s Mission With this new development The Pittsburgh History & Landmarks program, PHLF’s total investment Foundation (PHLF) works within in Wilkinsburg will exceed $23 a 250-mile radius of Pittsburgh, million. The Falconhurst Neigh- Pennsylvania, to identify and save borhood Restoration Development historically significant places; renew Program will take at least fifteen historic neighborhoods, towns, and months to complete. “Work in urban areas; preserve historic farms 2015 will proceed on all sites but and historic designed landscapes; and may need to be phased according educate people about the Pittsburgh to labor and material deliveries,” region’s rich architectural heritage. said Tom Keffer, Property and Construction Manager at PHLF/LDC. LDA Architects is the project architect and Sota Construction Services will be the general contractor. 608 Mulberry Street (left) will be renovated to house three family apart- ments. Two new Visit PHLF’s offices and two libraries townhouses will on the fourth floor of The Landmarks be constructed in 520 Jeanette Street (center) will Building at Station Square. the vacant lots at be renovated to house two family 604–06 Mulberry apartments. PHLF renovated Street, across from 516, 522, and 524 Jeanette in St. James Roman 2008 and 517 Jeanette in 2011. PHLF... Catholic Church. • is governed by a board of 25 community leaders; • has had a balanced budget in each year of operation since its founding in 1964; • provides leadership and assistance to local, state, national, and international PHLF continues to have a major impact on Wilkinsburg. organizations; We appreciate your input and investment in all areas, • provides financing and technical from bricks and mortar to education. assistance through a nonprofit A grand brick building with subsidiary, Landmarks Community ––Ralph Yearick, Board President, wrought-iron balconies, Capital Corporation (LCCC); and Wilkinsburg Community Development Corporation 855 Rebecca Avenue will be (October 26, 2014) renovated to house eight • provides consulting services and apartments. develops real estate through a for-profit subsidiary, The Landmarks Development Corporation (LDC), and through various limited partnerships. Continue Giving Your money is put to good use and the need is great. Contributions in 2015 will help PHLF: • continue neighborhood and downtown revitalization efforts; • continue our Historic Religious Properties program; • offer educational programs to more than 10,000 people; • offer programs at the Landmarks Preservation Resource Center in Wilkinsburg; • underwrite PHLF News and monthly E-newsletters. Pittsburgh History & PHLF President Arthur Ziegler lead a tour of Jeanette Landmarks Foundation Street in Wilkinsburg during the Preservation Forum Renewing Communities; Building Pride (see page 9). HISTORIC LANDMARK PLAQUES HISTORIC RELIGIOUSPROPERTIES MEMBERSHIP & GIVING SPECIAL PROJECTS PHLF News January 2015 3 U.S. Treasury Awards LCCC Economic Development Grant The preservation loan fund administered is able to provide credit and technical by Landmarks Community Capital assistance to borrowers in underserved Corporation (LCCC), a nonprofit and distressed target markets. LCCC PNC Foundation lending subsidiary of PHLF, received a focuses primarily on providing real big boost in September 2014 when the estate funding to historic preservation- Funds Landmarks U.S. Treasury Department awarded it related projects throughout the Fellows Program a $700,000 grant. “This is a great vote Pittsburgh region. Marilyn Whitelock, Administrative Assistant of confidence in our work,” said LCCC Established in 2007, LCCC builds for Real