Pittsburgh Regional Transit and Dormont Borough are seeking a development partner to help with a new project.

PRT and the borough hope to redevelop two parking lots along the Red Line into a "lively, mixed-use and mixed-income community to grow the neighborhood and increase transit ridership," according to a news release from Pittsburgh Regional Transit.

Developers can submit qualifications and concepts for the 2.5-acre site next to Dormont Junction by May 26, 2025.

"We're very excited about this project. It has the potential to become a true win-win that brings more riders to our system and adds to the vibrancy of Dormont," PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman. "We're eager to hear from developers to help make this dream a reality."

The opportunity would be the first joint development project under PRT's transit-oriented development program, which aims to "foster economic vitality, increase transit ridership, and promote smart growth throughout Allegheny County," the press release adds.

"This development is extremely important to Dormont. Not only will it bring new residents who will ride the Red Line and 41 bus route, but it will also help us redevelop the West Liberty Avenue corridor, with new small businesses and a people-centered streetscape," said Dormont Council President Jen Mazzocco.

With PRT facing a major funding crisis, including talk of fare hikes, service cuts, and route reductions, some are asking: Why start this now?

"It's not a thing that we would have money in, but we are a partner. Because we own the property, we can have easements, but also be a partner to get stuff done. It's not a 'money-out-of-our-pocket' thing, per se," said Kelleman.

Some riders say they can see the potential.

"We live in a world that's driven by commerce, and that affects the bottom line. So, if that's going to make the whole thing better, then I think it would work out good," said PRT rider Michael Brandon.

"If they can expand their horizons and get a bigger community to support them… There's plenty of homeless people that need places to stay," said fellow rider Colton See.

Kelleman says the project isn't just about transit, although that's a key benefit. It's about expanding economic opportunity.

"Anytime we have development that improves a county's tax base, it's great for everyone," said Kelleman. "Increasing property values and getting more kids into schools, and folks into good jobs, anything good for the local economy is good for us."

PRT officials studied the opportunity to redevelop the site as far back as 2019, and last year, secured a $500,000 federal grant to redesign and reconstruct Dormont Junction Station, which improved safety and accessibility features.

Interested developers can submit their qualifications and concepts to the following address:

Pittsburgh Regional Transit
C/O Transit Oriented Communities
623 Smithfield Street
Pittsburgh, Pa. 15222

Developers can also send an email to this email address. Additional information about the project can be found here.