$55M project will turn historic Pittsburgh government building into affordable housing

A historic former government office building in Downtown Pittsburgh is on track to be turned into affordable housing as part of a $55 million project.

The 200 Ross Street site — formerly known as the John P. Robin Civic Building — will be revitalized to include 68 apartments, community space and offices for nonprofit housing organizations.

Pittsburgh-based nonprofit developer ACTION-Housing will buy the building from the Urban Redevelopment Authority. The authority’s board on Thursday unanimously supported the proposal.

The developer will finalize plans for the site before returning to the board for a final vote on the sale.

If approved, the authority will sell the 13-story building for just under $4 million, plus costs.

The building, which was built in 1908 as the headquarters of Jones & Laughlin Steel, was owned by the URA, the City of Pittsburgh and the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh.

The three entities will each receive a share of the cash as the building is sold, according to URA spokeswoman Dana Bohince. The city will get 37.5% of the profit, a third will go to the housing authority and the URA will keep the rest.

ACTION-Housing intends to build one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments affordable for people making between 50% and 80% of the area median income. That means the most affordable units will be available for people making as little as $35,400 for an individual to $66,800 for a family of eight.

The offices that previously were housed in the Ross Street building have since moved to the new 412 Boulevard of the Allies site nearby.

ACTION-Housing Executive Director Lena Andrews said she’s eager to bring new life to the historic building.

There will be community space on the 13th floor, as well as amenities for residents.

The project will be supported by various tax credits plus money from a program that helps developers revamp unused office space for affordable housing.