Clairton Homeownership
Clairton, Pennsylvania


Description

• Acquisition and demolition of 150 vacant and blighted properties
• New construction of 23 scattered homes affordable for families
• A new urbanism community
• Four-acre site
• Placed in service in 2004

Developer
Pennrose Properties
Ralph A. Falbo, Inc

Architect
Perfido Weiskopf Architects
Lami Grubb Architects

General Contractor
Mistick Construction Company
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Management
Pennrose Management Company

The Challenge

Founded at the turn of the twentieth century by the United States Steel Company, Clairton, Pennsylvania once thrived as the steel
industry flourished. The collapse of the steel industry in the early 1980’s left a large portion of the population jobless. In 1988, the City of Clairton was designated as a distressed municipality by the Commonwealth’s Department of Community Affairs (DCA). Significant parts of the city descended into poverty and crime. The downtown area became a remnant of the once-productive shopping district it was, while the residential areas subsisted as remains of the employee housing that served the Clairton Works. The city lacked the funding to carry out the demolition of condemned buildings, so empty storefronts and houses, often covered in graffiti and grime, Afflicted the area. Local groups tried to encourage recovery of the area, but often met with failure due to lack of funding or interest. When the Community Economic Development Corporation of Clairton approached the Pennrose Falbo Development Team to revitalize their community, we responded affirmatively.

The Solution

Working with the community to determine and then meet their needs, Pennrose Falbo took bold measures to accomplish their vision. Combining CBDG and PHFA funds, LIHTC equity, and other financial resources gave the multi-million dollar project the necessary capital with which to proceed. We exactingly managed a myriad of separate real estate transactions in pursuit of acquiring 150 scattered parcels either outright or through the right of eminent domain/condemnation. These were then demolished. The team developed for the four-acre site an ambitious master plan that held to the principles of new urbanism. This demanded a completely new infrastructure that included walkable streets, storm water management, rear parking, attractive landscaping, neighborhood parks, and streetscape lighting. To complement the 20 newly constructed, two-story rental apartment buildings and to create a sustainable mixed-income community, the team designed and built 23 two-and three-bedroom homes affordable for working families. All buyers were afforded homeownership counseling and competitive financing. The homeownership component of the overall Clairton revitalization provided a critical element of long-term stability and viability.

The Clairton project underscores Pennrose Falbo’s determination to create well-built communities that are sustainable. Pennrose maintains a continuing presence in Clairton with our ownership of the neighboring apartments.

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