A new, large mixed-use development in Uptown passed a hurdle on Tuesday when the Pittsburgh Planning Commission approved the 254-unit plan that would encircle the historic Tito House.
The development received unanimous support, with one abstention, from the planning commission. It will need zoning approval before proceeding.
The 2.17-acre site would have two long buildings — one along Fifth Avenue and another along Colwell Street. In total, they would have 6,600 square feet of retail, 152 parking spaces, 112 bike racks, and furnished studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments. Retail locations would face Fifth Avenue.
At least 5% of the housing units would be made affordable to residents at 80% of area median income. The region’s area median income ranges from $70,300 for one person to $132,600 for a household of eight, according to the Pittsburgh’s Urban Redevelopment Authority.
The $100 million mixed-use complex is being developed by Texas-based Fountain Residential.
Fountain Residential still needs approval from the city’s Zoning Board of Adjustments before the project can begin.
Its CEO, Brent Little, said the project would also include a public courtyard in between the two long buildings, and would include seating, an outdoor stage with a projection screen, and a small, fenced dog park.
The site surrounds the historic Tito House, a structure built in 1884 that was the home of Joe Tito, a prominent Prohibition-era bootlegger who later became the owner of Latrobe Brewing Co.
Little said Fountain Residential will be purchasing the Tito House and donating it to community group Uptown Partners so they can preserve it.
The Tito House garage will be demolished, but bricks from the garage will be used in a facade of the Colwell Street building. The design will pay homage to the garage and include a commemorative plaque, Little said.
Little told the planning commission he was very pleased with the plan, particularly its access to public transportation.
The site is located along Fifth and Colwell, between Dinwidde and Wyandotte streets in Uptown. It will sit directly on the new University Line bus-rapid-transit corridor, which recently started construction.
The development got support from Brittany McDonald, executive director of Uptown Partners. She said Fountain Residential worked extensively with her group to collaborate on the project.
“It is our earnest hope that the Planning Commission will recognize the extensive work invested into ensuring that the project provides substantial benefits to the Uptown community,” she said in a statement.
Some spoke against the development at Tuesday’s planning commission meeting.
Historian David Rotenstein said the garage should not be demolished. He criticized the city’s Historic Review Commission for approving its demolition.
