Pittsburgh, PA — On November 15, 2024, at 3:30 PM, Center of Life (COL) announced ambitious plans for a community development project at Hazelwood Green (4501 Lytle Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15207). Led by CEO Tim Smith, this initiative aims to establish a cutting-edge community center that will strengthen the lives of Hazelwood residents and surrounding communities through expanded access to education, arts, health, and wellness resources.

Innovative Collaboration and Sustainable Design

Center of Life has built a strong coalition for this project, including partnerships with the University of Pittsburgh, Primary Care Health Services, Inc. (PCHS), and Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center (COTRAIC). The new multi-use facility will feature resources for STEAM education, performance and practice areas for arts programming, flexible workspaces, and spaces for holistic wellness. The shared vision for the project will connect Hazelwood Green to the broader neighborhood and create a place for individuals and the community to learn, to live, and to grow.

The design, created by AE Works, will utilize the principles of the Living Building Challenge, which encourages development that supports not only the planet but the health, knowledge and economic wellness of the community. The facility will truly embody the Center of Life motto — “Everything is about people.”

A Legacy of Community Investment

Since 2001, Center of Life has been a pillar of support for Hazelwood, delivering impactful programs that empower students and families across 30 ZIP codes with services in education, employment, healthcare, and the arts. Inspired by the Almono Group's visionary purchase of Hazelwood Green in 2002, which laid the groundwork for equitable community development, Center of Life is honored to bring this vision to life, creating pathways for residents to thrive and access opportunities from within the neighborhood.

"Almono is proud to support Center of Life in its development of the COL Hub at Hazelwood Green. The Almono members have long recognized the need for and supported the Hazelwood neighborhood in its desire for deep interconnection with this historic brownfield site. Almono and COL, as a community-based organization dedicated to empowering youth and families, have for many years collaborated in programming to ensure that this physical, social, and economic community connection gets stronger every day. Almono and COL will continue working together in ways that honor our shared development goals." — Todd Stern, U3 Advisors, Development Advisor to Almono, L.P.

In collaboration with the tireless efforts of the Greater Hazelwood Community Collaborative (GHCC), the Hazelwood community is committed to leading the way in these transformative investments. When speaking about these exciting developments, Rev. Michael Murray Sr., Chairman of The Greater Hazelwood Community Collaborative expressed: “I take pride in sharing how valuable this organization is and take pleasure in being able to work collaboratively together with them. I have placed my own children into the care of this organization, and it’s been such a wonderful opportunity for them [...] I share my heart's appreciation with this organization, and I would do it all over again with them. They are indeed an asset to the lives of those living in the community.”

By embracing the vision outlined in the Greater Hazelwood Neighborhood Plan, the community aims to shape a future that reflects their collective resilience and determination. CEO Tim Smith remarks that “Center of Life desires to build something that is worthy of the people,” and this reveal has laid the foundation for a space that all residents can proudly call home.

A Vision for a Brighter Future

This transformative project marks Center of Life’s deepened commitment to the future of Hazelwood, continuing to empower families and youth to thrive. Center of Life invites community members and partners to join this journey of sustainable growth, equity, and inclusivity — a vision for a community where all can flourish.

You can also view a more detailed scope and background of the project at

www.centeroflife.org/hazelwoodgreen

To inquire about this project, please contact Sadik Roberts at (412) 521-3468 or email:

hazelwoodgreen@centeroflife.org