Seminary Seeks Developer for Affordable Housing on Campus
Recently Pittsburgh Theological Seminary completed a facilities master plan, and the Board of Directors approved that plan during the May 2018 Board meeting. This plan included a recommendation to pursue options concerning Seminary-owned apartment buildings on the corner of North Highland and Stanton Avenues—Highlander, Anderson, and McMillan. Trends in theological education point to increasing numbers of part-time and commuter students and changes in expectations for on-campus housing. For many years, the majority of residents in PTS housing have been non-PTS students. Those reasons, coupled with the age and conditional assessment of the buildings, led the Seminary to consider the disposition of these apartments. This decision is linked to the overall theme of the master plan as well as two of the plan’s general goals:
- Master Plan Key Theme: Strengthen the Core – Develop the Edge
- Right-size the buildings and grounds to meet anticipated need and efficiently utilize the space
- Address expected future residential housing needs and aging apartment buildings
During the May 2019 Board of Directors meeting, the Board approved a motion whereby a request for proposals (RFP) be released in order to solicit and entertain offers to purchase and repurpose these buildings into affordable housing for the neighborhood and Seminary students.
On July 11, 2019, the Seminary released this RFP, which seeks highly qualified developers with the capacity and experience to repurpose all units the apartment buildings with a provision for the Seminary to retain access to a number of units for our own needs. PTS anticipates master leasing a number of apartments from the developer.
Proposals are due Aug. 30, after which time a committee from the Seminary will review the submittals and likely select a developer by the fall. The Seminary has retained the services of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, with attorney expertise in affordable housing, to serve as legal counsel for this RFP, selection process, and negotiation with selected developers.
While the Seminary is early in this RFP process, we are committed to providing on-campus housing that meets the needs of PTS students and their families through new development and existing structures and seeking to be a generous and hospitable neighbor in our community, participating in God’s ongoing mission in the world.
Contact Melissa Logan, director of communications, with inquiries ( / 412-924-1373).
