Developer: Carlow University
Project summary: On October 24, 2016 the City Planning Commission issued a continuance for Carlow’s IMP. Since that time, OPDC learned that Carlow was completing a revised traffic analysis and made other revisions discussed at a community meeting held March 1, 2018. Carlow issued a RFQ for developers in early August 2018 for a potential partnership opportunity for Lot A on their campus.
April 10, 2019 update: Carlow University and the Elmhurst Group have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to develop university-owned property along Fifth Avenue in Oakland. The project site is located west of the university’s driveway on Fifth Avenue and opposite the intersection between Fifth and Craft Avenues. The university will share space in the future building, which is projected to be approximately 225,000 square feet. This project is included in Carlow University’s Institutional Master Plan.
Carlow presented updates at a community meeting on October 15, 2019 and again on February 25, 2020.
At a community meeting on September 22, 2020, Carlow University presented an update to their institutional master plan and announced plans to go to the Planning Commission this fall. The university encouraged the public to provide feedback on the IMP during the 30-day comment period. Please visit Carlow's website to view the document.
Carlow presented an update on their IMP with a specific focus on community outreach, neighborhood benefits, and the 10 Year Development Plan during the November 24 Oakland-Wide meeting.
They closed the 30 day comment period on their IMP. Carlow is required to attend and present their proposal to the Registered Community Organization at least 30 days prior to a Planning Commission public hearing.
Carlow presented an IMP update at the February 21, 2021 Oakland-Wide meeting. Carlow announced on April 8 that they hired Edgemoor Infrastructure & Real Estate, a Maryland-based business, as their new project developer.
In a statement in April 2022, new University President Kathy Humphrey announced that Carlow no longer plans to raze the St. Agnes church building. The new life sciences building will now occupy a neighboring parking lot, while the former church will be renovated for new use. Edgemoor is no longer the project developer for the project.
Project resources:
Summary of project feedback (last updated: 9/23/20)
November 24, 2020 Oakland Neighborhood Planner reportFebruary 23, 2021 Oakland-Wide meeting presentation
Summary of project feedback (last updated: 3/12/2021)
News coverage:
February 26, 2020 - Pittsburgh Business Times - “Carlow University plans to demolish former church to make way for development”
March 5, 2020 - KDKA - “As Carlow University Looks To Expand, Future of St. Agnes Church In Oakland Remains Unknown”
March 16, 2020 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - “Carlow University seeking to demolish 103-year-old St. Agnes Church”