Displaced Penn Plaza tenants reach agreement with owners, city

PITTSBURGH — Many of the 200 residents living in the Penn Plaza Apartments in East Liberty have found new homes after being displaced from their apartments.

The City of Pittsburgh, along with the apartment’s owners plan to help them move.

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“Legally, they could evict us. This is a private landlord that we’re dealing with,” said one-time resident Lillian Grate. “So what we did was appeal to their heart.”

Aided by the developer and the City of Pittsburgh, Grate’s effort in finding a new home has been successful.

“In any other scenario, a developer would look to divide and conquer to get the political support behind allowing the process to happen,” Mayor Bill Peduto said. “That didn’t happen because there’s a bond now within the East End.

Of the 100-plus residents that have already relocated, 68 remain in the City of Pittsburgh. Peduto said there is still a lot of work to be done.

Residents of the second building will have until next year to relocate.

WPXI