Once a bustling village, Wilkinsburg was known as a primarily residential area with easy connections to Pittsburgh via a main line of the Pennsylvania Railroad. After becoming a borough, Wilkinsburg grew from the 1920s through the 1950s. It became a popular shopping destination, with a Beaux-Arts style railroad station and the iconic Penn-Lincoln Hotel. After the steel industry’s collapse, Wilkinsburg’s population declined, leaving the once energetic downtown struggling to attract funding. Now, private and public organizations have gathered to revitalize the community by balancing preservation, small business growth, and housing needs. In the panel “Wilkinsburg’s Next Chapter: Housing-Led Reinvestment and Community Renewal in Wilkinsburg,” regional civic and nonprofit leaders discussed significant initiatives and investments paving the way to revitalize the borough, including our current collaboration with ACTION-Housing on Penn Lincoln.

Moderated by The City of Pittsburgh’s City Planning Director Ivette Mongalo-Winston the panel discussed the importance of putting the community first, supporting aging buildings, and addressing housing opportunities for families. Panelists included Wilkinsburg Community Development Corporation’s Executive Director Tracey Evans, Wilkinsburg’s former Mayor and Founder/CEO of Civically, Inc. Marita Garrett, and ACTION-Housing’s Senior Energy and Construction Manager Sarah Ralich. Sarah provided attendees with insights about Penn Lincoln’s development, housing programs, and available retail space. Guests also took a walking tour of the commercial corridor near the site and had a chance to see the building’s exterior as construction continues.

Penn Lincoln is a mixed-use, affordable housing project led by ACTION-Housing and Hosanna House, a nonprofit providing free education and health services. Located on the site of the former Penn-Lincoln hotel, the new building will become a prominent addition to the Historic Downtown business district and will pay homage to its predecessor through materiality and massing. The project will offer 41 units with one-, two-, and three-bedroom layouts, a community room, and 10,000 square feet of ground-level commercial space. The project is also near Hosanna House’s facilities, which will provide tenants with opportunities to engage in educational services, workforce development, and health and wellness programs.