Wife of former Pittsburgh Steeler giving major face-lift to one of city’s oldest neighborhoods

PITTSBURGH — Walking down Landis Street in Pittsburgh’s Sheraden neighborhood, you’ll see boarded up buildings, shattered glass and peeling paint.

But nestled among the blighted properties is stunning architecture and potential that captivated Christy Porter, the wife of former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joey Porter.

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She purchased over 140,000 square feet on the site of the old Holy Innocents Church, including two schools.

“We’re going to turn that into a community center and the high school will be a recreational gym,” Porter said.

The nun’s covenant will soon become what city officials said is a desperate need.

She said they will tear it down and build 50-unit apartments: affordable housing for special needs adults and senior citizens. Porter’s 20-year-old daughter, Jasmine, has special needs and will need housing in a year.

There will also be a cosmetology school for young women who want to learn a trade, a cafeteria for kids to have a hot meal seven days a week, and free mental health resources.

Theresa Kail Smith, the councilwoman for the district, sees a bright future for her neighbors.

“Having the resources here is so vital to making this area more stable,” Smith said. “I see children coming to receive services for after school programming... senior citizens and young adults coming to the community center for resources.”

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