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PLI reports 28 demolition starts in 2024; ARPA funds helped speed work under federal deadline
Summary
The Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections reported 28 demolitions initiated in 2024 (15 completed) using a mix of ARPA, CDBG and PAYGO funds; staff said ARPA dollars were encumbered quickly to meet federal spending deadlines.
The City of Pittsburgh Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections (PLI) reported to the Capital Program Facilitation Committee that it initiated 28 demolitions in 2024 and completed 15, using a mix of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and PAYGO funds.
PLI staff said ARPA funds were reallocated late in the year, encumbered quickly, and used to place multiple demolitions under contract so the city could meet the federal spending deadline on ARPA money. The department described three funding streams for demolitions: ARPA and CDBG (planned, competitively or administratively programmed) and PAYGO, which the department uses primarily for emergency or unplanned demolitions and thus tends to have a higher average per‑project cost.
PLI displayed before‑and‑after photos of several demolitions that ran on different funding lines. Staff cited two nearby addresses — 1520 and 1516 Fifth Avenue — where collapse required full demolition, and said other ARPA‑funded work included 1307 Columbus Street and the rear of 1517 Phelan Street. PAYGO removals were used for emergency fire damage remediation (1040 Spring Garden) and an urgent foundation shift at 4949–51 Dearborn Street.
Bridal Caticchia, the capital budget manager, singled out program manager Rob Columbus for rapid contract work: “Rob Columbus…made sure it happened. So, he deserves a lot of kudos,” she said during the meeting.
PLI staff told the committee they had encumbered nearly 30% of CDBG demolition funds (about 17 demolitions) and used approximately 30% of PAYGO funds for emergency demolitions; the department reported it calculated an average demolition cost by funding source and noted PAYGO averages were higher because of unplanned scope.
The presentation closed without formal votes; staff discussion emphasized quick encumbrance to meet ARPA deadlines and the need to continue tracking contract execution across funding sources.
