Wilkinsburg Community Development Corporation

We envision Wilkinsburg will be a prosperous, healthy, and inclusive community regarded for its strong business district and neighborhoods, historic charm, convenient location, desirable quality of life, and community pride.

Our six-year strategic plan seeks to achieve our shared vision for Wilkinsburg by advancing the following strategic initiatives and goals.

1 – BUSINESS DISTRICT PROSPERITY
Key properties in the Central Business District will be renovated, occupied and used as models of redevelopment to build a positive, regional reputation.

2 – COMMUNITY VITALITY
Residents and business owners will be engaged in community planning and decision-making to improve quality of life for all residents.

3 – ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE
Our Board of Directors will exemplify standards for leadership, stewardship, and governance. The WCDC vision and priorities will be integral in borough-wide initiatives through collaboration.

We manage four program areas:
- Business Resources: From technical support and educational workshops to grants and rent rebates, we help entrepreneurs at all stages achieve their business goals.

- Vacant Property & Housing: We support community members looking to address vacant property issues in their neighborhoods, tackle blight, and make critical home repairs.

- Commercial Development: In addition to taking on key commercial development projects ourselves, we support others looking to invest in the business district.

- Community Initiatives: We regularly host events and activities to engage our business community, support youth, share resources, and bring people together.

Governed by our board of directors, we have five full-time staff and one part-time consultant working to achieve and advance our goals.

Staff:
- Tracey Evans, Executive Director
- Marlee Gallagher, Economic Development
- Monica Garcia, Community Outreach & Engagement
- Gordon Manker, Business Development
- Moses Workman, Office & Communications
- Evaine Sing, EKS Solutions, Vacant Property

In addition to our staff, we work with several community and regional partners to advance our mission, including:
- Allegheny Conference on Community Development
- Allegheny County Economic Development
- Borough of Wilkinsburg
- Hosanna House, Inc.
- Meshwork Press
- Pennsylvania Downtown Center
- Pittsburgh Housing Development Association, Inc.
- Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation
- Pittsburgh Urban Christian School
- Upstream PGH
- Wilkinsburg Chamber of Commerce
- Wilkinsburg School District
- Wilkinsburg Sun
- Wilkinsburg Youth Project
- Workshop PGH

Our organization was formed in 2008 to foster positive community and economic development in Wilkinsburg Borough.

For more than a decade, we have championed efforts to stabilize and transform the community in partnership with Wilkinsburg officials and other local, regional, and state agencies dedicated to strengthening Wilkinsburg.

WCDC Key Accomplishments

Since opening our office in 2010:
- 74 business district properties have new owners
- 31 property owners have renovated their building facades
- 25 vacant storefronts have been filled
- 370 residents have received small business training and
- 70 new businesses have opened in Wilkinsburg
- Our Core Four Business Planning Workshops have resulted in 134 accomplished graduates, 93% have been BIPOC and nearly 70% have been Black women.

Working with our housing partners:

- 100 units of affordable housing have been created
- 12 new housing units have been constructed
- 53 blighted properties have been cleared in Wilkinsburg
- 52 vacant properties have new owners
- 29 homeowners received critical home repairs

We have generated over 265 positive press articles about Wilkinsburg and hosted thousands of residents and visitors at our street festivals, vacant house tours, home and garden tours, and other community events. And we have helped over 2,850 youth achieve their educational and civic goals by providing grants and marketing assistance to support local summer and afterschool programs.