Pittsburgh's last major steel mill development site renamed Hazelwood Green
The owners of Pittsburgh's last major industrial property rechristened the 178 acres along the Monongahela River on Friday after its host neighborhood: Hazelwood Green.
Owned by three prominent Pittsburgh foundations, the property formerly known as Almono is slated for redevelopment as a green, high-tech center with space for housing, offices and recreation. The property is jointly owned by the Richard King Mellon and Benedum Foundations and the Heinz Endowments.
Rebecca Flora, project director for Almono LLC, said the name reflects Hazelwood's heritage and what the future holds for the former site of LTV Steel coke ovens and a rolling mill.
“When we were starting to really think about a new name for the site, it was about really the fact that we are rebirthing this area for another generation,” she said. “The name needed to appropriately reflect what was and what will be.”
It also signifies a recognition that some in the poverty-stricken neighborhood have voiced concerns about gentrification and being left out of decisions about the old mill property.
“I love this name and I believe the community is going to embrace it as well,” said Tim Smith, a local activist and pastor of the Keystone Church of Hazelwood. “We're cautiously optimistic.”
Flora announced plans for a new street running the length of the property and a 2.5-acre public space, both of which are being designed and slated for construction over the next two years.
An existing rolling mill building dubbed Mill 19 is being retrofitted for offices and research and development companies. Carnegie Mellon University's Advanced Robotics Manufacturing Institute will be the first anchor tenant.
Don Smith, president of the Regional Industrial Development Corp., which is developing the building, said it would open for occupancy in early 2019.
Officials hope the property will attract the likes of Amazon, which is looking at Pittsburgh and dozens of other cities as a potential spot for its second headquarters.
“To be able to have a site like this gives us a real competitive advantage,” said Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald.
Residents can get a first-hand look at the property from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday during a community event hosted by Almono LLC and the Hazelwood Initiative. The event will feature music, activities for children and free food for the first 400 visitors.
Bob Bauder is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 412-765-2312, bbauder@tribweb.com or via Twitter @bobbauder.
