Gainey Gives Green Light To Massive Oakland Makeover

PITTSBURGH, PA — After two months of delays and negotiations, Mayor Ed Gainey on Monday gave his approval on proposed zoning changes necessary for developer Walnut Capital's Oakland Crossings project.

The agreement reached by the developer and the city includes narrower and more clearly defined zoning and a public benefits agreement that covers affordable housing, food access and minority and women's business enterprise contracting.

There also will be a small overall footprint for the zoning changes, preservation of Zulema Park, expanded green space, and guarantees that multifamily residential developments will include at least 10 percent of units at rent that are affordable to households at or below 50 percent of the area median income for a minimum of 35 years.

The changes will be on the city planning commission on Tuesday for a recommendation to city council, which must approve the plan.

“My priority has been to make sure that Pittsburgh remains livable for all of us,” Gainey said in a release. "But we have to create new opportunities for economic growth, pathways towards prosperity, and inclusive equitable development that helps us keep people here.”

Walnut Capital, which developed Bakery Square in the East End, has proposed remaking 17 acres of south Oakland. The project would involve replacing dozens of homes along the Boulevard of the Allies, McKee Place, Halkett and Bates streets and building multiple apartment buildings that would not cater to students from the nearby University of Pittsburgh.

In addition to the 1,000 new apartment units, Walnut Capital is promising an elevated pedestrian bridge over the Boulevard, a new full-service grocery store and public spaces that increase community green space by 25 percent.

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