(PITTSBURGH) September 13, 2012   Mayor Luke Ravenstahl announced today that the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) will issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the development of numerous URA-owned sites in the city’s Hazelwood neighborhood, pending authorization from the URA Board of Directors at their monthly board meeting held this afternoon. The available sites are located at or near the highly trafficked Second Avenue corridor.

“This method of aggressively marketing neighborhood properties for new redevelopment opportunities has proven successful in creating jobs, growing communities and rebuilding neighborhoods,” Ravenstahl said. “Our hope is that this strategy will prove successful in Hazelwood, and help further the community’s revitalization.”

In 2011, the URA issued RFQs for URA-owned properties in Homewood and Larimer and received four and nine responses, respectively, from developers.  The process resulted in a new senior housing residence being developed by S & A Homes/Oxford in a critical location in Homewood, and the selection of developers in Larimer. Just last month, the URA issued an RFQ for properties in the Hill District and received developer interest in all available parcels. Tomorrow the URA Board of Directors will vote on selling the parcels located at 2123-2137 Centre Avenue to E. Properties & Development LLC.  E Properties seeks to transform the currently vacant area into a four-story, 33,000-square-foot, mixed-use building.

“I thinks it’s great that the URA is focusing attention on Hazelwood in the same way they’ve done in similar neighborhoods and met with success,” said Councilman Corey O’Connor. “This opportunity for development bodes well for a future where the LTV site becomes a component of a larger picture that embraces local businesses and neighbors.”

"The time couldn't be more favorable for developers to invest in Hazelwood's retail corridor,” said Jim Richter, Hazelwood Initiative, Inc. executive director. “Second Avenue is one of the gateways to the City, and with the recent completion of the Almono Master Plan, along with key properties owned by the URA, the entire Hazelwood area is on the cusp of successful redevelopment. Recognizing that, the Mayor, the URA and Councilman O'Connor have taken the logical next step in redevelopment by issuing this RFP.  We at the Hazelwood Initiative are grateful for this opportunity, applaud their approach and look forward to assisting in the process in any way we can."

The majority of the available parcels are vacant properties; a historic preservation opportunity exists with the former Spahr building, located at 4847 Second Avenue.

The URA expects to have the RFP ready to post within the next two weeks following the Board meeting.  The URA Board of Directors meets today, Thurs., Sept. 13 at 2 p.m. in the URA offices at 200 Ross Street, Downtown.