Developer Walnut Capital and design firm Strada presented the first phase of their proposed Oakland Crossings project to community residents during a development activities meeting co-hosted by the city of Pittsburgh Monday evening.
The first phase, Parcel A, refers to the development of the space along Halket Street up to its intersection with Boulevard of the Allies. Parcel A focuses on a new building complex that will span from Louisa Street to Zulema Street.
Developers are proposing the construction of a 12-story, 426-unit apartment building with outdoor amenity spaces and grocery at the former Quality Inn site in Oakland. Other features will include a 438-space parking garage and 8,000 square feet of retail.
Parcel A aims to provide diverse and affordable housing for higher density while prioritizing a pedestrian-oriented public space, said Karen Brean, planning consultant for the project.
Recently, Pittsburgh City Council approved a zoning change that allows Walnut Capital to begin work on the first phase. The broader Oakland Crossings plan involves 13 acres along Halket Street, the Boulevard of the Allies, and the historic Isaly’s site on the boulevard.
“What’s unique about Parcel A and this project, in general, is that there is a public benefits agreement between Walnut Capital and the city,” Jonathan Kamin, legal counsel for the project, said during the meeting.
Some of the benefits Mr. Kamin highlighted included local hiring of contractors and their subcontractors, ensuring union construction, meeting sustainability standards in the design of the building and the dedication to affordable housing.
Ten percent of the apartment units, 40 to 42 apartments, will be affordable to households at or below 50% of the median income for around 35 years through the Housing Authority’s Project Based on Housing Choice Voucher Program, he said.
“It is very important to us that the project is accessible to all,” Mr. Kamin said.
The design of the building was created to be “detailed while being slightly more contemporary,” Tom Price of Strada’s design team, told Zoom attendees.
The building will be made up of two brick colors, fiber cement, brick and cast stone, cast-stone concrete and high-quality windows. Access points will be located around the building. Mr. Price walked viewers through the Louisa Street parklet, Halket Street marketplace and grocery entrance, Zulema Street retail plaza and entry and the rear of the structure, which faces Coltart Avenue.
Around the building will be water fountains, bike racks plus climate-appropriate plants and greenery. Also planned are locations to meet and rest such as built-in benches, tables and chairs, and a public stairway.
“If people want to meet and hang out or if they want to get food to take out and eat, it’s a pleasant place to be in Oakland,” Mr. Price said. “We want to make Oakland a more connected neighborhood holistically.”
The registered community organizations in the neighborhoods where the Oakland Crossings site is proposed include Oakland Planning and Development Corporation, Oakland Business Improvement District and Oakcliffe Community Organization, all of which were present at the meeting. Development activities meetings are required before the project applies for approval from the city’s Art Commission.
The project hopes to see demolition of the current standing building in the first quarter of next year, Mr. Kamin said. The project will take around 36 months to complete.
Additionally, a planning commission hearing will take place no earlier than September.
Hannah Wyman: hwyman@post-gazette.com and Twitter @Hannah_SWyman
First Published: July 12, 2022, 2:01 a.m.
Updated: July 12, 2022, 9:41 a.m.