Fitzgerald Announces CDBG Funds for Former CUDA Building in Braddock

Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald announced today that the county has provided more than $500,000 in funding to facilitate the redevelopment of the former CUDA building in Braddock. 

The building will be built-out for a combination market-rate restaurant and job-training, affordable café.

“We are excited to support this project in Braddock Borough and impressed by the unique opportunities that it is bringing to the community,” said Fitzgerald.  “The CUDA building was once the heart of the Italian market in Braddock and, thanks to the partnerships of Heritage Community Initiatives, Springboard Kitchen, chef and restaurateur Kevin Sousa and the community, it can be the cornerstone of Braddock’s central business district once again.”

The funding includes exterior and interior improvements to stabilize and prepare the structure for tenancy. Heritage Community Initiatives, which owns the building, is working with potential anchor tenants Springboard Kitchen and regionally renowned Pittsburgh chef and restaurateur Kevin Sousa to develop the final design concept for a combination market-rate restaurant and job-training, affordable café. 

The space will include a full-scale commercial kitchen to support Springboard’s mission-critical work of preparing meals for needy populations, as well as serving the farm-to-table, high-end, yet casual and welcome atmosphere of Sousa’s eatery. There is also an opportunity for a commercial craft brewer to lease partial space at the basement level—an opportunity that is being considered by The Brew Gentlemen.

“I thank Allegheny County for its willingness to always work with Braddock as we continue to work to revitalize our community,” said Mayor John Fetterman of Braddock. “Without the support of the county, Senators Brewster and Costa, Representative Costa and our local elected officials, this effort would not be possible.”

Construction for the project is in three phases. The first phase is complete and included installation of a white PVC roof and the replacement of joists and other structural members. 

White roof are environmentally sustainable because of reduced heat intake from a structure’s roof during hot weather, which reduces interior temperatures and lowers cooling costs. 

The second phase will stabilize the interior of the building and rehabilitate the façade.  The third phase will cover build-out for tenants.