PITTSBURGH,None — Several empty and old buildings in Pittsburgh's North Side neighborhood could soon be filled with new businesses.
The Garden Theatre block on the corner of North Avenue and Federal Street was once the home to an adult movie house. Channel 11 News has learned that three local restaurants have signed a letter of intent to lease the space and two neighboring buildings.
"I think that would be wonderful because we need revitalization of the North Side. I think restaurants seem to bring people faster than anything else," said resident Edna Marshall.
Reporter Vince Sims reported that the interested restaurants are Firehouse Lounge, The Round Corner Cantina and Nakama Japanese Steak House.
The Urban Redevelopment Authority said its excited about the interest and said the challenge now is getting the leases signed.
"It will rise the whole neighborhood up. Like I said, there will be jobs and employment. It will rise North Side up more than it already is because it is up and coming," North Side resident Bill Blake said.
The developer said the restaurants already work in historical buildings, which will help them handle the North Side restrictions. The developer hopes to have the leases signed by next month.
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