Local officials came together during a groundbreaking event on Wednesday to celebrate three major housing developments downtown.
The event took place on the site of 120 Cecil Way, which will provide 97 affordable apartments once completed. Officials also celebrated two ongoing projects that include Tessera and the May Building at 111 Fifth Avenue. The Tessera development was formerly known as 901–903 Liberty Ave.
The creation of the three projects is led by Beacon Communities, which manages properties across eight states on the East Coast and already has properties in Pittsburgh. Dara Kovel, CEO of Beacon Communities, said Pittsburgh is one of their larger markets.
“Beacon is in about 30 communities all across the Northeast Mid-Atlantic,” Kovel said. “That’s just where our pipeline is right now, from Massachusetts down to D.C. Our single largest pipeline is right here in Pittsburgh, more than in any city or town. We are doing more in Pittsburgh than anywhere else.”
Speakers at the groundbreaking included Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor, Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato and Laura Sohiniki, the Southwest regional director from Gov. Josh Shapiro’s office.
O’Connor praised the fact that the housing developments will allow different family sizes to find a home.
“It’s one thing to talk about building 100 units. If they’re only one bedroom, we are not growing, and we are not supporting individuals that need that help,” O’Connor said. “Whether that’s a senior that needs to move back in with their kids, or vice versa, or somebody that actually wants to raise a family in Pittsburgh, they cannot do it in a one-bedroom apartment. They just can’t. So for you to have that vision of growth and opportunity, but to talk about building more and more access to multi-dwelling units is huge for us because now you can raise a family in downtown Pittsburgh.”
120 Cecil Way will involve the rehabilitation of two connected industrial structures dating back to the early 1900s into a 13-story redevelopment. Cecil Way will have 97 affordable apartments, with 49 homes reserved for single parents pursuing higher education in partnership with Pittsburgh Scholar House.
Cecil Way is expected to be completed within two years or more.