They may call it “Steel City,” but LIIF’s community facilities Lending team is taking a shine to glassmaking in Pittsburgh. The is LIIF’s first loan in this city — and the organization’s first to an arts programming space anywhere in the nation. LIIF’s total commitment to Pittsburgh Glass Center (PGC) was $5.2 million, split between a $3 million capital campaign bridge loan and a $2.2 million mini-perm loan, in support of a $12.6 million New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) project. The result? This community linchpin, located on an arts corridor, has now expanded from 16,000 square feet to 27,000 to meet increased demand.
PGC is located on bustling Penn Avenue at the edge of Garfield, a predominantly Black neighborhood in the East End. Since 2016, PGC has offered full scholarships for BIPOC community members, with 100 awarded. With increased space, there are now plans that include expanding their existing apprentice program, which provides free artist housing, training, stipends and benefits.
Photo #1 credit: Nathan J. Shaulis.
Photos #2-#4 credit: Buoyant (https://www.wearebuoyant.com/).