At the January SVEZC Board Meeting, the following were elected to Executive offices for the year 2012:
President: Kitty Lesko
Vice President: William Stasko
Secretary: Duane Schulte
Treasurer: Malcolm Blount
View from West Homestead Apartments
Steel Valley Enterprise Zone Corporation Closes on 10th Building Loan
with Margaret Burrows for Rehabilitation of West Homestead Apartments
The Steel Valley Enterprise Zone Corporation (SVEZC) closed on its 10th Building Loan with Margaret Proviano Burrows to assist in the rehabilitation of the West Homestead Apartments at 227-229 West Ninth Avenue. The $75,000 loan will be utilized to rehabilitate the third building in the complex. Previously, the SVEZC provided funding assistance on an apartment building in the complex. Upon completion there will be 20 apartments in the three buildings.
Ms. Burrows said, “The third building will have 4 completely remodeled loft apartments. My intentions are to have high end housing for our Veterans. Key features are air conditioning, a laundry facility, a courtyard and an incredible view of The Waterfront and the Monongahela River. My thanks to the Steel Valley Enterprise Zone Corporation and West Homestead Borough for working with me, and to the friendly residents we have.”
According to West Homestead Councilman and SVEZC Vice President William Stasko, “Margaret has done a great job in these buildings. She’s worked very hard on building aesthetics and creating a friendly environment for her tenants. This is a good project for this neighborhood.”
SVEZC CLOSES ON LOAN WITH
BULGARIAN-MACEDONIAN NATIONAL EDUCATION AND CULTURAL CENTER, INC.
Pictured above: Patricia Penka French, BMNECC President and Catherine Lesko, SVEZC President
The Steel Valley Enterprise Zone Corporation closed on its 9th Building Loan with the Bulgarian-Macedonian National Educational and Cultural Center, Inc. (BMNECC). The $75,000 loan is part of an exciting $1.2 million expansion project. The Center’s President Patricia Penka French accepted the check from Steel Valley Enterprise Zone Corporation President Catherine Lesko.
BMNECC has acquired four vacant, blighted properties along West Eighth Avenue in West Homestead and will expand the Bulgarian Museum Center. The new addition will include a theater, a café, gift shop, and exhibit and administrative space. Also, an outdoor plaza and garden and parking will be added.
According to Patricia Penka French, “The new Bulgarian Cultural Center will stand out as a special home for arts and culture dedicated to the preservation of tradition and promoting understanding. Meanwhile, it will serve to help create a new town center for West Homestead across from the new Borough Building and the beautiful memorial that honors those that have served our country”.
Ms. Lesko added, “The Bulgarian Cultural Center already draws many visitors from the region and the country and the new, expanded Center will help attract more visitors to other Steel Valley assets like The Waterfront, Sandcastle, the Carnegie Library and Music Hall, the Steel Industry Heritage Corporation Center and the Steel Valley Trail segment of the Great Allegheny Passage”.
SVEZC Closes on 8th Loan from the Main St./Tax Increment Financing Building Investment Loan Fund
Pictured, from left to right: Catherine Lesko, SVEZC President and Buddy Hobart.
The Steel Valley Enterprise Zone Corporation (SVEZC) announces it has closed its 8th loan from the Main Street/Tax Increment Financing Building Investment Loan Fund to John W. Hobart for the rehabilitation of the building at 344 East Eighth Avenue in Homestead. The three-story building is being renovated for business use on the first floor and residential use on the second and third floors. The SVEZC loan of $75,000 is part of an approximately $400,000 project.
Mr. Hobart said, “We are very excited about this project. This is my hometown and I am excited to be coming back. The progress that has been and is being made in the Steel Valley is incredible. On another note, folks may not realize how convenient Homestead is, from a business standpoint. You can be anywhere in 15-20 minutes. It is a wonderful opportunity for businesses to locate here. We encourage others to take a look at this area and the package of incentives offered through the Steel Valley Enterprise Zone”.
SVEZC President Catherine Lesko added, “Another great building is being rehabilitated along Eighth Avenue. The SVEZC is happy to see Buddy Hobart’s investment in his hometown. We encourage other developers to take advantage of the financing incentives available to building and business owners.”
Solutions 21 Radio Show Features Steel Valley Revitalization!
Recently, Buddy Hobart, host of the Solutions 21 radio show on 1360 AM, hosted representatives of the Steel Valley Enterprise Zone Corporation on his program. The show was about development and revitalization activities taking place in the Steel Valley. Kitty Lesko, President of the SVEZC, and Chuck Starrett, Enterprise Zone Coordinator, were guests on the hour-long program. To hear the interview, click below:
Photo: Left to right: SVEZC Vice President Bill Stasko, Dan Beaven and Brandon Ingram of Longpointe Management at the loan closing.
The Steel Valley Enterprise Zone Corporation (SVEZC) closed on its 23rd Enterprise Zone business loan with Longpointe Management, LLC of Homestead. The $75,000 loan is part of an approximately $270,000 project. Longpointe Management will be renovating the building and property at 136 E. Eighth Avenue in Homestead. The project also involves the purchase of shop equipment, tools and office equipment and furniture.
Longpointe Management is a property management and construction company serving real estate holdings in Homestead, West Homestead and Squirrel Hill and Oakland neighborhoods.
Dan Beaven, Partner with Longpointe Management said, “We have a long standing commitment to this area, my partner lives in the Steel Valley, and we want to see the continued re-birth that many have worked so hard to make happen, and everyone knows should and can happen. We hope to be a big part of that, and will be working with local business owners and the borough councils toward that end.”
Mr. Beaven continued, “As a company, and as individuals, our primary focus is the substance and nature of our work. We take pride in the preservation of architectural character and the construction/re-construction of properties that are more than simply utilitarian ‘boxes’. All of us have an appreciation for ‘real’ work, which is something that has always been honored in this area and draws us to it. We very much appreciate the role the HARB and the Steel Valley Enterprise Zone Corporation plays in helping jumpstart the revitalization effort while maintaining what is special about the area. And, we hope to be one of their greatest success stories - not simply due to what may come of us, but because of those we hopefully bring to the area as well.
Catherine Lesko, SVEZ President, commented, "Longpoint Management is another fine example of a business organization seeing the opportunity available in the Steel Valley. They have done an incredible job of renovating properties. Now they're investing in the Avenues business district which will bring jobs and more vitality to an area moving forward. The partners are young entrepreneurs – the type of investors that are coming to this area ".
NEW BIKE RACKS ON 8TH AVENUES
The Steel Valley Enterprise Zone Corporation in conjunction with the Boroughs of Homestead, West Homestead and Munhall, have installed new bike racks at three locations along Eighth Avenue. One is at the Tin Front Cafe and Annex Cookery, 216-218 East Eighth Avenue in Homestead; one is at Conrad Catering, 504 East Eighth Avenue in Munhall and another at Me Lyng, 213 West Eighth Avenue in West Homestead.
SVEZC President Catherine Lesko said, "With the new Steel Valley Trail open to The Waterfront we're anticipating bikers looking for alternative spots to stop along the Avenues. As we see more demand we'll consider adding additional bike racks".
Pictured, left to right: Ellie Gumlock of the Tin Front Cafe, SVEZC President Kitty Lesko and Judith Tener-Lewis of Annex Cookery.
The Great Allegheny Passage Opens to the Steel Valley
Pictured to the left: The Steel Valley Trail Segment of the Great Allegheny Passage
A nearly 3-mile section of the Great Allegheny Passage was opened on June 17, 2011 at an event attended by hundreds of riders, residents and local public and private officials. The event was held at the new Whitaker trail bridge.
Munhall Mayor and Steel Valley Enterprise Zone Corporation Board Member Ray Bodnar welcomed everyone to the opening of this important segment of the trail that will eventually link Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C. Linda McKenna Boxx, President of the Allegheny Trail Alliance, said over $6 million was utilized to acquire properties and construct the trail which includes two bridges - one at Whitaker and one at Duquesne - that span six active railroad lines. "It was truly a work of engineering art", remarked Ms. Boxx.
A 1-mile gap at Sandcastle Waterpark and an adjacent scrap yard are to be completed as the final link.
SVEZC President Catherine Lesko said local groups are working to promote the use of the trail in the Steel Valley and link them to local businesses and assets.
A brochure providing a self-guided walking tour map of the Steel Valley and its assets is now available at local stores and businesses and at the Homestead, West Homestead and Munhall Borough Buildings...........Or, you can download and print the map yourself. Click on the link above - The Avenues of the Steel Valley Self-guided Walking Tour - and explore, discover and experience the Steel Valley!
New banners adorn poles along Eighth Avenue and Amity Street in The Avenues Business District. The attractive banners were installed in late May. Sponsored by the Steel Valley Enterprise Zone Corporation, they depict the new brand for the Homestead, Munhall and West Homestead Business District - The Avenues. They were designed by the Miller Creative Group.
SVEZC President Catherine Lesko said, "We want to make people aware that this business district is becoming a destination point for shopping and entertainment and urban living. We're seeing new businesses come in and attractive loft apartments are being built and quickly filled. New investment and jobs are being created and plans for more renovations are being developed".
The SVEZC is the development organization for The Avenues in conjunction with the Boroughs of Homestead, West Homestead and Munhall.
BUSINESS ON THE AVENUES
A new business recently opened at 228 East Eighth Avenue in Homestead. Smoke barbeque taqueria, specializing in tacos for breakfast, lunch and dinner, is housed in a building owned by developer Joe Ranii of Cityscape Construction. Mr. Ranii utilized Steel Valley Enterprise Zone Corporation financing assistance to renovate the building for commercial and residential uses.
Smoke barbeque taqueria, owned by Jeff Petruso and Nelda Carranco, is now open for take-out but plans are being developed to expand for a courtyard in the back and possibly a brewery in the basement.
Recently "Munch" - the Pittsburgh Post Gazette food critic - gave a glowing review of Smoke. This establishment joins the Tin Front Cafe, the Blue Dust, Duke's Upper Deck and Yvette's on 8th as new or renovated restaurants along The Avenues of Homestead, Munhall and West Homestead.
The telephone number for Smoke barbeque taqueria is 412-205-3039.
MON YOUGH AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCEMENT
On May 19, 2011 at the Courtyard by Marriott at The Waterfront, the Mon Yough Area Chamber of Commerce was branded and a new logo was unveiled. Formerly the Regional Business Alliance, the Mon Yough Chamber covers a large number of municipalities and businesses in the Mon-Yough area. In the past year many business members of the former Steel Valley Chamber of Commerce have become Mon Yough Chamber members.
The event was attended by business owners and elected officials from the area including elected officials from the boroughs of Homestead, West Homestead, Munhall and the Steel Valley Enterprise Zone Corporation.
Mon Yough Chamber Chairman Mark Urbassik pledged to agressively work with local businesses to promote the business interests of the area.
For more information about the Mon Yough Area Chamber of Commerce, go to www.monyoughchamber.com.
HOMESTEAD LIBRARY REBORN
On June 1, 2011 the Pittsburgh Post Gazette published a front page article about the exciting rebirth of the Carnegie Library of Homestead. Sold-out concerts, an active, new fitness center and a renovated reading room were highlighted in the article.
Local businessman and former SVEZC Board Member Dan Lloyd has spearheaded the rebirth bringing his entrepreneurial spirit to the historic 113-year-old library.
SVEZC President Catherine Lesko said, "We congratulate the people involved with the library. Not only has the enterprising spirit transformed the library but the benefits are spreading throughout the area. We're seeing people from outside the area attending library events and coming to places on The Avenues and at The Waterfront."
On May 12, 2011 Allegheny County and Homestead officials, the Pittsburgh Pirates and baseball fans celebrated the installation of new banners on the Homestead Grays Bridge. Nine signs commemorating the Grays line the side of the bridge carrying traffic toward Homestead and nine signs depict the Pittsburgh Crawfords on the Pittsburgh-bound side.
The display is the culmination of a decade-long dream of Mayor Esper, who began gathering support in 2001 for renaming the Homestead High Level Bridge in honor of the Grays - the dominant Negro League team of the 1930's and 1940's.
The metal signs, in the shape of elongated home plates, bear photographs of the great players and owners of the Grays and Crawfords. The signs were designed by Pittsburgh sports artist Dino Guarino.
Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato and Mayor Esper unveil the banner.
The Waterfront development was initiated over 10 years ago. The development has been a catalyst for new economic activity, jobs and a new image and vibrancy for the area. It's estimated that $450 million has been invested there.
The SVEZC directed the Comprehensive Urban Design Plan which was completed in 2000 and adopted by the 3 boroughs put forth an ambitious plan for revitalization of the Eighth Avenue Corridor.
The plan helped secure a $5 million Capital Grant from the State. With this and another $5 million public funds from Allegheny County major infrastructure investments were made. This includes improvements to Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Avenues. Also there was the construction of the West Flyover Ramp to The Waterfront and approximately $30 million expended on the Homestead Grays Bridge reconstruction.
Soon private and other public investments began to take place in the Route 837 Corridor in the traditional business district. Among the completed projects are:
Munhall Square I & II
The Bost Building by Steel Industry Heritage Corporation
Allegheny County Housing Authority renovation of the 240 unit Homestead Apartments
The rehabiliation of 331-339 E. Seventh Avenue by
Franjo Construction/Mascari Sales & Marketing Company
During Rehabilitation
After Rehabilitation
McClure Street Garage by Franjo Construction
During Rehabilitation
After Rehabilitation
Urban Design Ventures, LLC at 212 East Seventh Avenue/211 East Eighth Avenue
Hruska Plumbing Expansion at McClure and Eighteenth Avenue, Homestead
Extreme Restoration, Inc.-Timothy & Amy Olson at 301 West Seventh Avenue in West Homestead
225 East Eighth Avenue (225 East Eighth Street Associates, L.P.-Joe Ranii
The building at Sixth Avenue and Amity Street including the Blue Dust Restaurant, 601 Amity Street, Homestead. Visit the Blue Dust Restaurant's website at www.bluedustpgh.com.
Tin Front Cafe and Annex Cookery, 216-218 East Eighth Avenue, Homestead
Another recent successful development project is pictured elsewhere on this page - the Tin Front Cafe and Annex Cookery at 216-18 East Eighth Avenue, owners David Lewis and Judith Tener-Lewis. Visit the website at www.tinfrontcafe.com.
PROJECTS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION OR SOON TO BE INITIATED:
Historic Homestead Bakery/King's LLC (Batch Development) and Sixth and Seventh Avenues between Amity and Ann Street
King's Bakery, LLC is making progress. The building at 120 E. Seventh Avenue in Homestead is being converted into loft apartments and commercial space by King's Bakery, LLC, owned by Charlie Batch. Construction began on this $4.7 million development earlier this year. Apartments will be available for rent soon.
The Steel Valley Enterprise Zone Corporation provided financing assistance to the project along with other public funding from Allegheny County, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and private bank financing.
Vantage Court Senior Housing (LifeSpan, Inc.) at 300 East Eighth Avenue
Homestead Municipal Building (Borough of Homestead) in Seventh Avenue Parking Lot.
-The rehab of 227 East Eighth Avenue by Joe Ranii
-Hodanic Building (L.P. Group, LLC) in the 300 block of East Eighth Avenue
And other developers are discussing investments.
Loft Apartments in the Central Business District
We're going to see new business activity and over 50 completely renovated loft residential apartments in the central business district that will change the character of the area. These are being rented at market rate. And we'd like to note that thousands of jobs have been created over this period of time, from 2000 to the present.
In the neighborhoods over the last 10 years the Homestead-area Economic Revitalization Corporation and the Mon Valley Initiative completed 30 new or rehabbed units with $4.7 million of investment. 13 new units are being built for approximately $3 million of investment. And in conjunction with the Second Baptist Church on 12th Avenue in Homestead a new 35-unit senior apartment building was built at a cost of approximately $4.5 million.
These projects cumulatively represent over 3/4 of a billion dollars of investment.
Many of these projects were assisted by the Steel Valley Enterprise Zone Corporation through the Enterprise Zone Business Loan Fund, the Building Investment Loan Fund and the State Enterprise Zone Tax Credit Program. We also assist in identifying other public and non-profit financing assistance from Allegheny County and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and financial assistance such as Federal Historic Tax Credits, and real estate tax abatements. We work in partnership with these agencies and with financial institutions. We like to say the best deals you can get are in Enterprise Zones!
Tin Front Cafe
Check out the new gathering place on
The Avenues -
The Tin Front Cafe
at 216-218 East Eighth Avenue in Homestead! www.tinfrontcafe.com
See the exciting new website
about what's going on in
Homestead, West Homestead and Munhall.
Go to the Steel Valley Avenues at www.steelvalleyavenues.com
ALLEGHENY COUNTY APPROVES MULTI-MUNICIPAL TAX ABATEMENT PROGRAM
Allegheny County Council unanimously passed legislation to bring tax relief for new infrastructure development and redevelopment in the central business districts of Homestead, West Homestead and Munhall. This is a big step for intergovernmental cooperation in the Steel Valley and has also laid the groundwork for future cooperation.
The tax abatement program is named Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance, or "LERTA". The Council Presidents - Drew Borcik of Homestead, David Weir of West Homestead and Bernie Shields of Munhall have worked together to bring about this tax abatement program.
The program offers five year declining tax abatement on local, school district, and county taxes for new construction in the LERTA district which includes the central business district along Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth and Forest Avenues in the three boroughs.
The abatement is applied only to any increased assessed value resulting from improvements which include repairs, construction or reconstruction (not upkeep) made on industrial, commercial or business property.
Contact the borough offices for more information or for a list of eligible properties.
During Rehabilitation
During Rehabilitation
After Rehabilitation
