A host of local elected officials and housing advocates celebrated Friday in Wilkinsburg, near the site of what will soon be 41 new affordable apartments on Penn Avenue.
Nonprofit developer ACTION Housing has begun excavation at the site of the former Penn-Lincoln Hotel, a once-historic building that had fallen into disrepair. The vacant site has long been a priority for redevelopment for the borough.
In addition to apartments, the $30 million project will include ground-floor commercial space.
“We need to fill up Wood Street, Penn Avenue, and I think this is a great spark. This is inspiring,” said Wilkinsburg Mayor Dontae Comans.
Lauren Connelly, director of the Allegheny County Department of Economic Development, hailed ACTION Housing and its partner Hosanna House for their “incredible partnership that has transformed challenges into opportunities, and now into a space where residents and businesses will once again thrive.”
She and several other speakers referenced other development in long-struggling Wilkinsburg, such as a new Aldi store.
“There’s a lot of exciting things going on in Wilkinsburg,” said State Sen. Jay Costa, D-Forest Hills.
The project incorporated funds from a number of sources, including federal and local funds, as well as state tax credits.
Apartments will be for people earning at or below 60% of the area median income and will also include supportive services for tenants.
The project is scheduled to be completed in 2026.
