Redevelopment
The Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County (RAAC) was created on Feb. 14, 1950
by the Allegheny County Board of Commissioners to assist in the generation, stimulation
and management of economic and community growth. The Authority achieves this mission
by acquiring and preparing real estate for economic development activities; managing
finances from various public sources, and facilitating the reuse of vacant, tax-delinquent,
or blighted property. ACED Director Dennis M. Davin serves as Director
of the Authority, while Darnell Moses oversees day-to-day operations.
RAAC activities cover four areas:
- Economic Development
Fund (EDF). RAAC is responsible for administering the County’s $50 million
low-interest revolving loan fund that was established in 1995 to create and preserve
jobs in the region. Since its inception, EDF has created or retained an estimated
6,360 jobs by investing $43.8 million in local companies. Recipients include Marconi
Communications (formerly FORE Systems), EchoStar Communications and Marcegaglia
USA.
- Redevelopment and Development Projects. RAAC coordinates comprehensive plans with local municipalities
and conducts economic feasibility studies to leverage County resources for redevelopment
projects to benefit the local tax base. The Authority recently administered a State
Redevelopment Assistance Capital Grant for the Airside Business Park at Pittsburgh
International Airport and is overseeing the redevelopment of the former Carrie Furnace
site. In addition, the Development Division is engaged in property acquisition,
site development and redevelopment, and infrastructure improvement. In these efforts,
the Division partners with municipalities, developers, public agencies, nonprofit
development organizations, brokers, agents, architects, engineers, contractors and
lending institutions to ensure that the necessary resources are available to support
each project.
- Tax Increment
Financing (TIF). RAAC manages TIF plans to finance public infrastructure
improvements that allow redevelopment activities to take place. A portion of the
new assessed value of the property creates new tax revenues that are used to pay
off debt issued to finance the improvements. RAAC was instrumental in organizing
a tax revenue- sharing district including the municipalities of Homestead, Munhall
and West Homestead for The Waterfront, a $300 million synergistic mix of commercial,
retail and residential development. All TIF districts are collaborative efforts
involving municipalities and school districts as well as the County.
- Housing Redevelopment. RAAC aids ACED
housing initiatives with financing, business development, master planning and
reclamation activities. Programs assisted include the
Allegheny Home Improvement Loan Program (AHILP), the Allegheny Vacant Property
Recovery Program and large-scale housing redevelopments.
Braddock Hospital Initial Reuse Study - Final Report
Braddock Hospital Initial Reuse Study - Appendix