Second Avenue Commons residents moving to Pittsburgh’s Northside after being displaced by fire

PITTSBURGH — The residents displaced by a fire at Second Avenue Commons will officially be moving to a new location.

>> Nearly 200 people displaced due to fire at Second Avenue Commons

Allegheny County officials announced Saturday that the nearly 200 people who were displaced by a fire in early June will be moving to 1200 Reedsdale Street in Pittsburgh’s Northside.

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE FIRE

The location is operated by Pittsburgh Mercy, which is one of the organizations that staffs Second Avenue Commons. The location meets space requirements, as around 100 people are seeking emergency shelter.

>> Pittsburgh City Council gives update on Second Avenue Commons after major fire

“I want to thank our partners at Pittsburgh Mercy and the City of Pittsburgh for working through the night and this morning to make the emergency shelter at 1200 Reedsdale Street available to us. County staff and partners are moving the remaining Second Avenue Commons residents out of the Convention Center today, and we thank the Convention Center again for being so accommodating during this unprecedented crisis for the last two weeks,” County Department of Human Services Director Erin Dalton said.

Immediately after the fire, the residents were moved to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. There was a possibility they would move to a location in Allentown, but county officials say the Northside building is a “preferred location.”

The medical clinic that was at Second Avenue Commons is also moving to the Northside location, county officials said.

The temporary shelter is across the street from Rivers Casino, near Acrisure Stadium downtown.

Those displaced moved in Saturday morning and are staying on cots in the building’s gym with A.C.

“Everybody wants a place, especially in this hot weather,” said Karen Barker who lives on the edge of the Northside in Summer Hill. “They deserve someplace to sleep too, so this probably is as good a place as any.”

Wille Thompson, who lives nearby, said he lived at Second Avenue Commons 20 years ago and would like to see more homeless shelters built.

“There’s not enough places for them,” Thompson said. “We need places around here for people to live. The shelter is home for people.”

>> Housing sought for displaced residents after Second Avenue Commons fire

County officials also said they will continue to look for additional emergency shelter options to help bridge the gap until Second Avenue Commons can be reopened, which may be months down the line.

The temporary shelter at Mercy Behavioral Health Center is just for people who were displaced from the Second Avenue shelter.

According to county leaders, individuals experiencing homelessness should contact the Allegheny Link for support. In-person services are available Monday – Friday 8:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. at the Human Services Building located at One Smithfield Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or by phone at 1-866-730-2368.

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