Developer eyes Liberty Ave. cigar factory
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 01:00PMPittsburgh Post Gazette - February 8, 2012
By Mark Belko
After successfully converting a vacant three-story building on Forbes Avenue into apartments and a restaurant, Mike Clements is back for an encore.
The developer is seeking to transform an old cigar wrapping facility at 604 Liberty Ave., Downtown, into a two- or three-bedroom townhouse with a street level cafe or bistro.
He is getting assistance from the city Urban Redevelopment Authority, which has secured a grant of up to $200,000 to help make safety and code improvements to the vacant three-story building near Heinz Hall.
Mr. Clements, president of Iron City Ventures, hopes to begin renovation work this summer and have the URA-owned building ready for occupancy by the end of the year. He will take ownership when the work is completed.
He plans to convert the upper floors into a townhouse with high ceilings, bamboo floors and two to three bedrooms.
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