Mike Fiore of Mike’s Auto Body had a dream. He wanted to build a training center for mechanics in his Larimer neighborhood on Pittsburgh’s East End across from his shop, a fixture on Meadow Avenue for 30 years.
With signs of urban renewal sprouting up everywhere–Bakery Square, Google, new housing and flowerbeds– the timing was right. This week the $1.8 million Mike’s Auto Body and Vocational Center became a reality with assistance from the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), the Small business Administration and Fidelity Bank. The state-of-the-art, sustainable, 14,500-square-foot center will provide jobs and will serve as a community center too.
For Fiore, who has been providing training and mentoring for area youth for 30 years, it marks the beginning of more good things for the neighborhood. The new center seats 36 students and will feature a state-certified instructor on staff, paint and manufacturing seminars and will certify at least 30 young people a year. It will also initially employ 10.
“This is just the start of the urban renewal that’s taking place here,” says Fiore. “Everyone is working feverishly around here.”
The expansion is green in every respect, from the rain-garden to enhanced day-lighting features, tree-planting and inviting colors and decor on the inside. Carnegie Mellon’s Charge Car project plans to make Mike’s a community partner in retrofitting gasoline powered vehicles into electric cars.
“Mike’s really weathered the storm in Larimer, and the success of this project is a testament to the community-driven transformation taking place there,” says Senator Jim Ferlo.
Source: Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Pittsburgh
Writer: Deb Smit
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