Hill House Opens Family Dollar Store
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Hill House Opens Family Dollar Store
Project Serves as Catalyst for Hill District Business Corridor
January 26, 2006, Pittsburgh - Following a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony this morning, the Family Dollar Store opened in the Hill District today adding new life to the neighborhood's efforts to rebuild its business center. The 8,000 square-foot store is located on the corner of Centre Avenue and Devilliers Street, a busy intersection and key gateway to the Hill District community.
The store opening is the first major project for the Hill House Economic Development Corporation (HHEDC), formerly the Hill House Housing Development Corporation. Last year the agency changed its name and bylaws to reflect its expanded focus from housing to include commercial development.
According to Evan Frazier, president and CEO of both HHEDC and the Hill House Association, the project is an important catalyst for economic development in the Hill District.
We believe we can re-landscape the Hill as a place of growth and opportunity. With the right partners and a focused plan, our long term vision is to help restore the economic base of the Hill. Opening the Family Dollar Store is one significant step in the right direction," he said.
Frazier noted that many organizations are part of the effort to bring new businesses to the Hill. Community partners who participated in the project include LISC/Hill Growth Fund, the Urban Redevelopment Authority, the Hill District Community Development Corporation along with a variety of other community stakeholders such as the Hill Consensus Group, Allegheny Union Baptists Association (AUBA) and others.
"Combined with the residential development, the Family Dollar Store opening is evidence of the momentum happening in the Hill District. We're very excited to partner with HHEDC in rebuilding one of the city's most historically vibrant neighborhoods," said Jerome Dettore, executive director of the URA.
After seeking community input, the HHEDC, with the support of LISC/Hill District Growth Fund made an additional investment to insure a Family Dollar Store design that:
- Preserves neighborhood character with colors, proportions and materials;
- Is user-friendly; physically and socially accessible;
- Sets a design standard precedent for future Centre Avenue projects;
- Encourages community gathering and social interaction with street-level windows and awnings that shield sun and rain;
- Creates a welcome, secure environment;
- Promotes community interaction with the Hill House Community Bulletin, a permanent display on the building's exterior that highlights neighborhood events and activities.
Family Dollar, one of the nation's fastest growing discount store chains, provides value-conscious consumers with competitive prices on good-quality, name brand merchandise for the family and home. The chain has more than 5,900 stores in 44 states. Target sites for Family Dollar Stores include food-store anchored neighborhood locations making the Hill an appealing location with the proposed grocery store project.
The Hill House Economic Development Corporation (HHEDC), formerly the Hill House Housing Development Corporation has had a relationship with the Hill House Association since 1970. HHEDC's name change and expanded focus from housing to economic development was the result of a strategic planning process that identified an opportunity to have broader impact on urban growth. HHEDC now promotes business and residential development in the Hill District and surrounding communities helping re-landscape them as places of growth and possibility.
HHA is a comprehensive community service provider and facilitator that meets the needs of Hill District residents and diverse constituents in the Greater Pittsburgh area. By housing health, education and human service agencies under its roof, the Hill House serves as a one-stop resource for individuals looking to improve their lives. Over the past four decades, it is estimated that the Hill House has provided care and support for more than 500,000 children, adults and seniors living in urban environments. In 2005, approximately 70,000 people were impacted directly or indirectly by Hill House programs.