Demolition of the Berg Place apartment complex began in Pittsburgh's Carrick neighborhood, marking the start of a redevelopment project that will replace the 12-year-vacant complex with 52 new affordable housing units for seniors, according to the city.
The Berg Place complex, built between 1925 and 1935, was condemned and vacated in April 2014 after inspectors found numerous health and safety violations, including rotting decks, missing smoke detectors, sewage leaks, crumbling bricks, and no water supply in many units. The deteriorating property had become a persistent concern for neighbors, with several fires occurring on the site over the years.
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) acquired the property through a sheriff's sale in September 2022 and partnered with CHN Housing Partners, a nonprofit affordable housing developer, to redevelop the site. The new Carrick Senior Apartments will include 47 one-bedroom units and five two-bedroom units.
The project has received $2.45 million from the URA's Rental Gap Program, a 9 percent low-income housing tax credit award, project-based voucher support, and a loan from the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh. Additional funding is coming from Grow America, First National Bank, Bridgeway Capital, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Pennsylvania, and Allegheny County.
Full demolition is expected to be completed within the next few weeks.