YMCA-to-condo revamp gets boost

Wednesday, January 23, 2008
by Ben Semmes
Pittsburgh Business Times
http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/

Two planned East Liberty residential projects got a boost Wednesday with the announcement of a $1.135 million investment in the once struggling neighborhood.

The money, from the city’s Urban Redevelopment Authority and Landmarks Community Capital Corp., will go to fund the conversion of East Liberty’s former YMCA into condos and the rehabilitation of two distressed homes in the 5800 block of Rippey St.

East Liberty Development Inc. is overseeing both projects.

ELDI has been working with Denver-based MEIZ Development Co. to convert the former YMCA building into market-rate condominiums with first-floor retail at 120 Whitfield St.

ELDI purchased the property for $686,000 from the Center for Entrepreneurial Development Inc. last December, according to records filed with the Allegheny County Department of Real Estate.

The two Queen Anne style homes on Rippey Street will be converted into eight market-rate condominiums.

bsemmes@bizjournals.com | (412) 208-3829