Oakland Crossings: Fight Over Pgh. Neighborhood's Future Heats Up

Pittsburgh PA

06 October, 2021

3:06 PM

Description

PITTSBURGH, PA — Some Oakland residents are voicing increasing opposition to a transformative undertaking proposed by one of the city's most successful developers that would dramatically remake 17 acres of the neighborhood. Walnut Capital, which developed Bakery Square in the East End, has dubbed the massive project Oakland Crossings. It would involve replacing dozens of homes along the Boulevard of the Allies, McKee Place, Halkett and Bates streets and building multiple apartment buildings that would not cater to students from the nearby University of Pittsburgh. In addition to the 1,000 new apartment units, Walnut Capital is promising an elevated pedestrian bridge over the Boulevard, a new full-service grocery store and public spaces that increase community green space by 25 percent. The project is supported by Pitt, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and Mayor Bill Peduto, who leaves office in January. Oakland Crossings would support about 4,000 union construction jobs and generate $11 million in annual taxes for the city, county and Pittsburgh Public Schools, according to Walnut Capital. "Our ultimate vision is for Oakland Crossings to become as world class as Bakery Square, improve neighbors' lives and invite growth opportunities for a live-work-innovate urban environment," said Todd Reidbord, Walnut Capital co-founder and president. But speakers at the first city council hearing on the project Tuesday aren't sold on that vision. Many either opposed the zoning change or wanted it delayed until a 10-year master development plan for Oakland is completed by residents and neighborhood groups. One of those organizations, the Oakland Planning and Development Corporation also opposes the zoning move. The neighborhood group contends the project that "would demolish three large and dense city blocks, including homes and apartments and trees that have been part of the residential fabric here for more than 100 years" is advancing too quickly. The corporation wants city council to wait until the Oakland Plan is completed and approved by council, possibly next spring, before any zoning change is voted on. "With the Oakland Plan in hand, builders and investors with grand ideas for Oakland will have plenty of tools available to them as they assemble the projects that will define the next few decades of development here," the corporation stated on its website. "And the community will have the tools it needs to ensure those projects serve the public interest and address neighborhood priorities and needs." Walnut Capital asserts that it has met favorably with community stakeholders on multiple occasions, including the planning and development corporation. Others include the Oakland Business Improvement District, Oakland Transportation Management Association, the University of Pittsburgh, UPMC, Councilman Bruce Kraus and many small business owners and residents. Reidbord contends that the project's sheer enormity, which is one of planning and development corporation's key objections, is what could trigger its success. "Time has proven that making Oakland a more livable place is impossible with one-off development efforts," he said. "So we took a step back and thought big." Be the first to know what's happening in your community and region. With a free Patch subscription, you'll always be up to date on local and state news: https://patch.com/subscribe.