Development Would Add Residential Space To Strip District

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The Strip District, already a popular destination, could get another resurgence if land along the Allegheny River between 17th and 21st Streets becomes a 750-unit apartment complex, as proposed by the Buncher Company.

"We're looking at a $450 million project when it's all said and done, over 3,000 permanent jobs, $20 million in tax revenue a year. What a great site that is," Mayor Luke Ravenstahl told KDKA Money Editor Jon Delano.

It's a project that gets cautious support from Strip District advocates.

"There's mixed opinions all over the place, but I think with the increased residential it could be beneficial for the entire Strip District," says Becky Rodgers of Neighbors in the Strip.

Rodgers says there's demand for more housing with waiting lists at current properties.

A new residential apartment building on the empty lot could be as tall as 15 stories -- taller than any other building in the Strip -- and the views of the Allegheny River would be awesome.

It's an unobstructed view of the river across from the original Heinz factory and when fully occupied it will more than double the Strip District's population.

"The Strip District is a great unique Pittsburgh neighborhood," noted Ravenstahl. "It's right next to downtown and to more than double the population is continuing our goal of having more people live in the city."

So how quickly will this happen? Well, Buncher has a rep for going slowly.

"What they do is build, they fill and then they build the next one and fill that," said Rodgers.

Ravenstahl hopes the city can move the project along.

"We're pushing the Buncher Company and to their credit they're very serious about making this happen. They want to do a quality project, and we're excited about that," added Ravenstahl.

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