Addison Terrace complex eyed for demolition, rehab

The Pittsburgh Housing Authority wants to demolish the World War II-era Addison Terrace complex in the Hill District and replace it with townhouses like those in new public housing projects across the city.

Board members unanimously voted Thursday to ask for permission from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to raze Addison Terrace, which has been marked in recent years by criminal activity and violence.

The complex includes 734 apartment units in three-story walk-ups on Bentley Drive, Elmore Square and Grove Place. It is home to 552 families and 1,030 people.

Authority officials said the rehab would take up to 10 years to complete and would result in the construction of more than 400 townhouses.

They cited the age of the facility, rather than the crime rate, as the main reason for the move.

"It's outdated," said Doris Carson-Williams, board vice chairwoman. "It needs to be fine-tuned, refreshed. It's probably not even going to meet housing standards anymore."

Authority spokeswoman Michelle Jackson said the plan is to replace Addison Terrace with mixed-income townhouses similar to those recently completed at the nearby Bedford Hill and Oak Hill facilities. She said it was too soon to offer a cost estimate or say exactly how many units might be built. The authority plans to seek federal funding for demolition and construction, she said.

"It's long overdue," Jackson said. "Those units date back to 1940. I have a picture of Franklin Delano Roosevelt handing out the first keys."

The project would be completed in phases with residents being moved to other authority housing in the interim.