Wilkinsburg Community Development Corporation

The Wilkinsburg Community Development Corporation (WCDC) was formed in 2008 to foster positive community and economic development in the Borough of Wilkinsburg. Over the past decade as a Main Street America accredited organization, WCDC has championed efforts to stabilize and transform the community in partnership with the Borough of Wilkinsburg and other local, regional, and state agencies dedicated to strengthening Wilkinsburg.

WCDC Accomplishments

Train Station Ribbon Cutting – September 2021

On Friday, September 24, 2021, the Wilkinsburg Community Development Corporation (WCDC) and community leaders gathered to celebrate the completion of the Wilkinsburg Train Station restoration project. Initiated in 2016, the five-year, $6.5 million restoration effort preserves the integrity of the Train Station’s architectural style and character while offering highly adaptable interior spaces that will allow for a broad range of future uses.

2019 Strategic Plan

The WCDC completed a Strategic Planning process funded by Neighborhood Allies (formerly Pittsburgh Partnership for Neighborhood Development). Check out a summary of our Five Year Plan.

2017-2018 Community Impact Report

Our most recent Community Impact Report is now available. Click here or the image to download. Check out last year’s report.

2017-2018 Business District Revitalization

A major part of starting our Wilkinsburg business district revitalization efforts involved working collaboratively with volunteers, businesses, and community leaders to develop an extensive Wilkinsburg Business District Revitalization Plan and establishing our other program areas:

Youth Initiave
Litter Remediation
Business Image Improvement Fund

Additionally, we have achieved several major milestones that will make our business district more appealing to developers, entrepreneurs, residents, and consumers, including applying for and being accepted into the PA Downtown Center’s Main Street Program; developing an aggressive tax abatement strategy; offering more assistance to small businesses through programs such as Kiva Zip; developing materials for vacant property acquisition; and legalizing liquor licenses for the sale of alcohol at restaurants in the borough.

2016 Wilkinsburg Market Analysis

The following summarizes DDA’s key findings, recommendations and conclusions contained within the market analysis. Click here to view.

2015 Liquor License Campaign

Following the May 20, 2015 primary election, Wilkinsburg is no longer a dry borough! Thanks to the efforts of over 40 community volunteers and several supportive businesses, restaurants in our community are now able to apply for and receive liquor licenses. Up to five licenses may be issued in Wilkinsburg without municipal approval. However, licensees must fulfill PA Liquor Control Board requirements, have a physical location, and meet borough zoning requirements. We also ask that, upon application, potential licensees meet with us and participate in our community process, which aims to eliminate the possibility of nuisance establishments in our borough.

2015 Comprehensive Plans

In addition to the Business District Plan, a collaborative 10-year Wilkinsburg Comprehensive Plan was also established. In addition to updating the Wilkinsburg Business District Revitalization Plan, our Coro Fellow also completed the Wilkinsburg Comprehensive Plan 2015 Update, Action Plan: Recommendations and Next Steps, and developed a WCDC-Health-and-Human-Services-Addendum-2015 during 2014-15.

2015 Wilkinsburg Business District

The Wilkinsburg Business District Plan details collaborative efforts for revitalizing Wilkinsburg’s Central Business District over the next 10 years. Working with a Coro Fellow during 2014-15, together with the Borough of Wilkinsburg & Hosanna House, the Wilkinsburg Business District Revitalization Plan 2015 Update was completed.

2014 Vacant Home Tours

The Vacant Home Tour (VHT) was founded in 2014 by students at Carnegie Mellon University, and has since found a home in Wilkinsburg. Wilkinsburg has the highest vacancy rate in Allegheny County. With nearly 800 vacant parcels in 2.3 square miles, the VHT aims to address this problem in a way no one — in our region or anywhere else in the world — has before. In May 2015, the WCDC hosted the first Wilkinsburg Vacant Home Tour. Due to the success of the first tour, a second one was held in May 2016. Five homes were featured each year, and in 2016, a commercial property was added to the tour.

2012 Community Partnership Plan

On May 18, 2012, the WCDC partnered with Hosanna House to share with regional stakeholders the success that has resulted from the Wilkinsburg Community Plan, created in 2006. Many groups that have been a part of carrying out the plan presented on the presented on the progress made – from tree plantings to renovated housing to the creation of the WCDC. The full presentation is available here.

Reach out, get involved and learn more about WCDC today.

For details and support, please email info@wilkinsburgcdc.org, call us at (412) 727-7855 or click the contact button below.