PITTSBURGH, PA — City officials marked the start of demolition at the long-vacant Berg Place apartment complex in Pittsburgh’s Carrick neighborhood on Tuesday, clearing the way for a 52-unit affordable housing development designed for local seniors.
Mayor Corey O’Connor and City Councilman Anthony Coghill joined officials from the Urban Redevelopment Authority, CHN Housing Partners, Amani Christian Community Development Corporation, City Councilperson Bob Charland, State Sen. Jay Costa, and State Rep. Jess Benham to swing the ceremonial first sledgehammers at the site.
The seven-building, 33-unit multifamily property along Brownsville Road was built between 1925 and 1935. It has sat vacant for more than a dozen years after city inspectors condemned and vacated the complex in April 2014 following numerous health and safety violations, including sewage leaks, deteriorating decks, crumbling masonry, missing smoke detectors, and lack of water supply. In subsequent years, the decaying complex suffered multiple fires and became a persistent neighborhood concern.
The URA acquired a first lien mortgage position on the complex, and after legal delays by the former owner following a 2016 Treasurer’s Sale, the redevelopment authority secured ownership through a Sheriff’s sale in September 2022. In 2023, the URA partnered with CHN Housing Partners to redevelop the property for local seniors; CHN is working with Amani Christian Community Development Corporation on the replacement housing.
The replacement development, Carrick Senior Apartments, will feature 52 affordable units, consisting of 47 one-bedroom and five two-bedroom apartments. Funding includes a 9% federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit award, $2.45 million from the URA’s Rental Gap Program, approximately $2.3 million in state funding, and project-based voucher and loan support from the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh, alongside backing from Allegheny County, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Grow America, First National Bank, and Bridgeway Capital.
Demolition operations are being managed by the City of Pittsburgh Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections in coordination with contractor Deller Professional Services. City officials expect full demolition work to wrap up within the next few weeks.
The Pittsburgh Times
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Pittsburgh, PA
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