Final demolition of Pittsburgh housing complex makes way for up-scale development
By
Evan Winters
8 April 2017
Demolition work has begun for the final two buildings of the Penn Plaza housing complex. Most of complex, which once contained 312 below market rate apartments, including 41 subsidized units, has already been razed as part of a redevelopment plan that included the building of a Whole Foods supermarket.
The demolition of the Penn Plaza complex highlights the lack of affordable housing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania which is provoking growing anger among the city’s population.
The last remaining dozen or so residents were moved out only last Friday, with the city and developers claiming they were able to find them places to live. The developer had initiated some demolition work, such as cutting down trees, removing ceiling tiles, and sealing vents, even while some residents were still living in their apartments.
Penn Plaza, located in the historically working class area of East Liberty, is slated to be redeveloped as a Whole Foods grocery store, 200 apartments, and 12,000 square feet of office space. This development will cater to somewhat more well-off layers of workers and professionals, such as those in the medical and technology industries.
In an attempt to offset the outpouring of anger by residents and a social media campaign against the project, Whole Foods has announced that it is temporarily withdrawing from the project. It may go ahead with its plans once the demolition work is completed.
Democratic Mayor Bill Peduto is now posturing as a defender affordable housing. After giving the OK for the development plan, the city filed a suit against the developer, seeking an injunction to stop demolition activity. The developer has filed a counter…