We’ve covered the long-term, on-again-off-again revitalization story of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania‘s Hill District for many years here in REVITALIZATION, and each new story has been positive in recent years. Here’s even more good news.
On August 11, 2022, the City of Pittsburgh received $11,320,000 in funding for the New Pathways to Equity project to renovate and redesign human-focused infrastructure in the Hill District.
“This grant is the culmination of years of hard work to invest in the revitalization of the Hill District,” Congressman Mike Doyle said.
“This project will provide safer streets, better transit, and improved accessibility in the Hill District. Along with the federal funding we secured to reconnect downtown and the Hill District with the I-579 Cap Project, this grant will ensure that we are investing in the middle and upper Hill District equitably. I worked persistently with Mayor Gainey and County Executive Fitzgerald to secure this funding – including arranging a meeting with the Mayor and Secretary Buttigieg earlier this year to stress the importance of this project – and I believe that the combination of unified advocacy and project merit won this grant for Pittsburgh. This project also bolsters the City’s Avenues of Hope project to work with local and minority business owners to invest in historically marginalized corridors throughout the City, a project for which I secured $2 million in Congressionally Directed Spending in Fiscal Year 2022,” he continued.
The funding comes from a Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability & Equity (RAISE) Grant, funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
“This grant is not just an investment into essential infrastructure, it is also an investment in correcting long standing harms that have isolated the Hill from Downtown,” said Mayor Ed Gainey. “Designing solutions and getting them funded required a true community partnership, and this is an example of the kind of ambitious reinvestment in our city that can happen when we all work towards a common purpose and shared goal.”
With this funding, the city will make construction improvements to the public right-of-way in the Hill District, particularly on Centre Avenue.
“We were glad to support this important project that will improve the quality of life for residents in the Hill District,” said County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. “Through continued investment in the neighborhood, we are improving infrastructure, mobility and access for those who live there, but also for those who come to eat, shop and visit.”
Improvements will include the reconstruction of intersections, street corridors and city steps as well as the installation of traffic calming measures, sidewalks and green infrastructure.
“The Hill District is a vibrant community that for too long has been disconnected from the rest of the City of Pittsburgh,” said Senator Bob Casey.
“This grant, made possible by the infrastructure law, will make Centre Avenue safer and more accessible to drivers, public transit users, pedestrians and all residents of Pittsburgh. This project will bring more businesses, customers and workers to the Hill District, boosting the neighborhood’s economic strength,” he added.
The New Pathways to Equity project is considered to be crucial to the revitalization of the Hill District neighborhood.
“This award will have a multi-generational impact in the Hill District neighborhood,” said Marimba Milliones, President & CEO of the Hill Community Development Corporation.
“Our infrastructure is in serious need of upgrading and this grant will support critical improvements to key corridors. We thank Senator Bob Casey, Congressman Doyle and Mayor Gainey for working to deliver these funds for the benefit of the Hill District’s residents and businesses. We are also hopeful that these funds can be leveraged to secure additional state and local resources,” she concluded.
Photo of the construction of Frankie Pace Park in the Hill District courtesy of the City of Pittsburgh.