(PITTSBURGH) August 9, 2012   Mayor Luke Ravenstahl today, joined by Arthur Ziegler, president of the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation (PHLF), elected officials and key stakeholders, officially kicked off the Downtown Preservation Project . This much-anticipated $4 million facade renovation project will reignite historic charm to six key downtown buildings that border areas of significant public and private investment in the Wood Street and Fifth Avenue corridor. The officials today ceremonially knocked off tile to kick off facade restoration at the Kashi Building, located at 254 and 256 Fifth Avenue. Soon, the historic building will better complement new development and  be spruced up with new historically significant windows, signage and lighting.

“Through strong partnerships with public and private partners, we raise the bar of what Downtown can and should be,” Ravenstahl said. “By mixing historic redevelopment with new development, Pittsburgh is a model for how to reignite an urban core. I want to thank the Governor, his staff and all of the elected officials whose support helped to make this project possible. We believe that with this reinvestment, these properties will not only attract more tenants, but add significantly to Downtown’s vitality.”

The Fifth and Wood corridor is experiencing tremendous reinvestment, from PNC’s $400M world headquarters now under construction, to the newly revitalized  Market Square, to the $86M Gardens project set to break ground this fall.

The Downtown Preservation Project is the result of a funding request made by Mayor Ravenstahl to then Governor Rendell.  When Governor Corbett took office, he conducted an extensive review of RACP-funded (Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program) projects and affirmed the Commonwealth’s support for this project through a $4M RACP grant award. Mayor Ravenstahl created a partnership with PHLF to tap their expertise in this specialized kind of construction management and architectural proficiency.

“The Mayor has a vision for the role of historic preservation in creating economic development and attractive living,” said Arthur Ziegler. “We already see many results of the Mayor’s vision of the value of historic restoration as we look along Fifth Avenue, where buildings were in poor condition a few years ago but are now teaming with new residential and retail life. Together we also welcome the commitments of new buildings by PNC and the Piatt family on blocks that were architecturally undistinguished so that our City grows in an organic way with the best of the past contributing to the best of the present. This amazing partnership is producing amazing results.”

Nine facades will be included in this renovation. The project will be complete by the end of the year, weather permitting.

Kashi buildings
254 and 256 Fifth Ave.; 445 Wood St.
Masonry, storefront and canopy restoration, window replacement, new lighting, and new, historically appropriate signage

"Three Sisters" buildings
418, 420 and 422 Wood St.
Removal of all facade cladding, window replacement, storefront renovation and full restoration of remaining cast-iron facade elements, and historically appropriate replacement of non-existent facade features

Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA) building
419-423 Wood St.
Full restoration of limestone facade including repair of damage caused by metal cladding mounting brackets, window replacement, storefront renovation and removal of all orange corrugated metal cladding

Thompson building
435 Market St.
Full restoration of masonry facade, window replacement and storefront renovation