Hill District New Granada groundbreaking in Pittsburgh

A transformation on Centre Avenue in Pittsburgh’s Hill District is continuing with the New Granada redevelopment project.The latest part of the New Granada Square includes the cultural and performance space. A groundbreaking was held Thursday.”The historic New Granada is arguably the most important development that the Hill District has seen. It’s going to bring jobs, it’s going to bring culture and put it front and center, not just for the Hill District but for the entire region,” said Marimba Milliones, the president and CEO of Hill Community Development Corporation.The $36 million restoration project also includes retail, office space and more housing.”We are so excited to have the University of Pittsburgh as a partner, as well as our funders, both locally and nationally. This is going to be the signal that the Hill District will return,” Milliones said.The theater building will include a cultural stage.Milliones said it will be the home for the University of Pittsburgh’s Community Engagement Center, “which will house programming such as the African-American poetry and poetics space, as well as the jazz center, digital inclusion center, as well as a broad array of other programming, including entrepreneurship programming.”Two Pittsburgh-born actors, Billy Porter and Lamman Rucker, are also teaming up with the historic New Granada Theater project.Milliones envisions a future for the Hill inspired by the glory of its past.”We have to come to appreciate that the Hill District has a distinct flavor and culture to bring to our region, but the opportunity to create synergy with our economic centers is tremendous and unmatched,” she said.More coverage:URA approves construction for new concert venue in Lower Hill DistrictHill District community groups critical of New Granada Theater investmentHistoric church congregation, Penguins reach land development deal in Lower HillLower Hill redevelopment team gives progress reportPittsburgh lands major federal grant for Hill District infrastructurePittsburgh mayor tips hat to local organizations aimed at curbing violenceGrand reopening of August Wilson House in Hill DistrictLower Hill development remains intact as new ownership group takes over PenguinsSalem’s Market chosen to open new grocery store in Pittsburgh’s Hill DistrictPittsburgh’s new I-579 ‘CAP’ Park connects Downtown to Lower Hill District