New life and adaptive-reuse development could be bound for a corner in the Pittsburgh neighborhood with historical significance that had devolved into a sore spot of violence and crime.
Invest Atlanta, Mayor Andre Dickens’ office, and the city’s Housing Innovation Lab have released a Request for Proposals in hopes of finding a developer to turn Pittsburgh’s city-owned “Pink Store” site into a hub of activity and affordable housing that boosts the neighborhood.
Situated in the heart of historic Pittsburgh, the 1029 McDaniel St. site has been vacant since the city acquired the corner property in 2017—an effort to put the kibosh on problems around the former convenience store. (The AJC once coined the Pink Store property Atlanta’s “corner of death,” following a string of violent tragedies.) Before all of that, the site operated as a pharmacy, according to city officials.
The 1029 McDaniel St. corner property in question, as seen in February. Google Maps
An architect’s depiction of the site with new uses allowed by rezoning, including affordable housing, a farmers market, and small-scale retail. Invest Atlanta
In an announcement today, project officials call the RFP a significant milestone that follows a collaboration process between the Housing Innovation Lab and Invest Atlanta that spanned several years. Those efforts included community meetings, having the property rezoned for mixed uses and missing-middle housing, and other due diligence. The broad goal is now to turn the vacant property into uses both community-centered and equitable, per officials.
Specifically, the RFP calls for adaptive reuse of the former Pink Store building (possibly with neighborhood retail at the base level and offices or community space above), with new construction for affordable housing behind it on the deep lot.
Priorities include retaining the Pink Store building’s character, long-term housing for low and moderate-income families, services and retail that suit local needs, and “public gathering space that anchors the development in community life,” per the RFP announcement.
Formerly two parcels and uses, the Pittsburgh site is now a single parcel, according to Invest Atlanta. Invest Atlanta
How an adaptively reused portion of the former Pink Store property could look. Invest Atlanta
Perks of the location include proximity to Pittsburgh Yards and the Beltline’s Southside Trail corridor, both situated a few blocks to the south.
The corner property “has a deep legacy in Pittsburgh and deserves to be honored with thoughtful, inclusive reinvestment,” said Dickens, who also serves as Invest Atlanta’s Board Chair, in a prepared statement.
Added Dr. Eloisa Klementich, Invest Atlanta president and CEO: “The 1029 McDaniel project represents a chance to uplift the historic significance of an important property through a community-led vision centered on affordable housing, small business activation, and neighborhood character.”
RFP submissions are due by July 25. Find more info and instructions here.
Breakdown of potential uses at the 1029 McDaniel St. site. Invest Atlanta
The Pittsburgh site in the context of downtown (top) and the Beltline’s Southside and Westside Trail corridors (bottom). Google Maps
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