“Are you creating jobs that could reasonably be offered to folks in the community? If the answer is no, then we typically can’t offer those groups any significant amounts of space.”
Thread International makes bags from fabric made from recycled plastic, and they’re based in Pittsburgh in a newly renovated industrial building. The tenants here are curated carefully to reflect the building’s original function as a place for manufacturing and blue-collar work — good paying jobs that don’t necessarily require four or more years of college debt. (Photo courtesy CDFI Fund)
At Knotzland Bowtie Company, founder Nisha Blackwell and the team recently reached a new milestone. A member of the seamstress team surpassed Blackwell’s own record for the number of handcrafted bowties completed per hour. The seamstresses get paid per piece.
“We celebrate it,” Blackwell says. “People ask how are you going to grow, and part of it is I believe in this. Part of it is I’m in a great location.”
In Pittsburgh alone, one building has created 97 full-time jobs.
Students at The Trade Institute of Pittsburgh, many of whom were formerly incarcerated, learn masonry and carpentry at 7800 Susquehanna (Photo courtesy Bridgeway Capital)
Soon after the COVID-19 lockdown hit Pittsburgh, local backpack company Day Owl shifted from making backpacks to manufacturing face shields. The company did so at its 6,000-square-foot light manufacturing space inside 7800 Susquehanna Street, a hub for manufacturing, makers, small businesses, nonprofits and job training.
Tony Norman | NEXT Pittsburgh
10 years ago Bridgeway began to transform the vacant 7800 Susquehanna Street into a hub for makers, manufacturers, nonprofits, and job training. We thank all those involved in 7800’s journey, along with Bridgeway’s clients and partners in the community. Please Join us to celebrate this milestone as we cheers to 7800’s past, present, and future.
We are excited to reflect on what’s been accomplished and share future plans for 7800’s redevelopment, including the unveiling of new community driven site furnishings for the exterior of 7800 (trash can, bench, bike rack, and planter) created by local artists through the ECO:Homewood project, in partnership with Neighborhood Allies, the City of Pittsburgh’s Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and Homewood’s Legacy Arts Project.
Please RSVP to join us!
