PNC Foundation Grant Allows WCDC to Continue Marketing Commercial Properties

The PNC Foundation has awarded a $10,000 grant to Wilkinsburg Community Development Corporation to continue a successful real estate website featuring commercial properties in Wilkinsburg. 

Launched in May 2010, the website features 24 properties and averages over 20 views per day.  Two properties have sold successfully, and significant leads have been generated for others.

The site—www.downtownwilkinsburgparealestate.com—is part of a targeted marketing program by WCDC to increase interest among business owners, investors and real estate developers to lease or purchase commercial properties in the Wilkinsburg business district. The grant from the PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC), was made in support of economic development within Wilkinsburg and the WCDC initiative.

The website was developed by Mark Harvey Smith, a real estate broker and community consultant.  

"This program is designed to encourage business development and reinvestment in Wilkinsburg's business district by providing property owners and their agents with an accessible site to share concise property information with a range of potentially interested audiences," he said. "The best news for all involved is that it has been proven successful and costs them nothing."

One success story has been Leslie Parr, who was struggling to find a space that could fit the rigorous code requirements for a day care center she planned to open.  

“The real estate website gave me the name and contact information for my current landlord, who had a space that was move-in ready," she said.

In addition to the PNC grant, WCDC provided a match with funding from TriState Capital Bank and the PA Department of Community and Economic Development.

The Wilkinsburg Community Development Corporation was formed in June of 2008 with a mission to revitalize Wilkinsburg and surrounding areas through business and residential development, organizational and individual civic leadership, and cultural enrichment.