PITTSBURGH, PA — The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA) has selected Tryko Partners as developer of choice to redevelop the former Fairywood School site in the City’s west end. Tryko’s winning proposal will transform the vacant property into affordable townhomes for seniors aged 62 and up as part of a neighborhood revitalization initiative.
The project design features spacious one-bedroom units with covered porches, surrounded by a series of walkable, park-like green spaces. Ample parking will be provided as well as a community building, where residents will be able to take advantage of financial literacy, nutrition and exercise programs, health screenings and other support services designed to enable seniors to age in place. The complex will be transit-friendly and incorporate energy-efficient and sustainable site design, including rain gardens throughout the green spaces.
Isaac Sassoon, Esq., senior vice president at Tryko, said, “We are incredibly proud of our development plan, which includes 46 total units, 39 of which will be affordable to residents with incomes up to 60% of the area median income, as well as seven market rate, non-income restricted homes. All residents will enjoy the convenience of one-story living, with fully accessible units available.”
Moving forward with the project is contingent on Tryko receiving an award of 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA). The LIHTC program is a federal program administered by State housing finance agencies for the acquisition, rehabilitation or new construction of rental housing targeted to lower-income households.
City of Pittsburgh council president Theresa Kail-Smith, who represents District 2, has acknowledged the need for the project and her strong interest in seeing it developed following multiple failed attempts by others. “What is most important to me is what is important to the community,” she said. “There are many seniors living in Fairywood who are saddened to leave because they can no longer maintain their homes. This development is crucial to making it possible for residents to stay. The people of this community selected Tryko because it was clear they listened and captured everything the community wanted in the design.”