Commercial development stays strong in South Fayette

Commercial development stays strong

Businesses invested $19 million in South Fayette in 2022

By Andrea Iglar

From new construction to renovations, business development in South Fayette topped $19 million last year.

Of that total, more than $12.6 million was invested in new commercial construction, according to 2022 building permit figures.

Major new commercial construction projects were:

• Tesla Service Center and Showroom, Newbury Market ($7 million)

• Firebirds Wood-Fired Grill, The Piazza ($2.9 million)

• 10,000-square-foot building, including apartments and 2,700 square feet of commercial space, The Crossroads at Hastings ($1.4 million)

• 40,000-square-foot light industrial building, with tenant to be determined, Alpine Point Business Park ($1.3 million)

State, county and local officials join business leaders in October for the groundbreaking of a $1.3 million, 40,000-square-foot light industrial building at Alpine Point Business Park along Alpine Road in South Fayette.

Photo by Andrea Iglar

The value of new construction in 2022 was roughly the same as the prior year—but the number of new construction permits decreased from 11 to six.

“Building costs have gone up substantially, so even with fewer permits, you’re going to see higher construction values,” township planning director Gary Hartz said.

More than $5 million was invested in alterations, renovations and preparations to occupy building shells.

Much of the renovation activity occurred at The Piazza, a 50,000-square-foot shopping center being developed by Burns Scalo Real Estate at the Interstate 79 interchange.

As tenants prepare to move into the building shells, they remodel the interiors and exteriors to meet their needs.

Permits for major renovations in 2022 included:

• Image Studios, The Piazza ($1.2 million)

• Primanti Bros., The Piazza ($959,000)

• Giant Eagle, 3239 Washington Pike ($850,000)

• Ivybrook Academy, The Shoppes at Bursca, Washington Pike ($650,000)

• GNB Battery, Southpointe Drive ($400,000)

• Bartram House Bakery, The Piazza ($275,000)

• The Milkshake Factory, The Piazza ($275,000)

• European Wax Center, The Piazza ($250,000)

• GNC Live Well, The Piazza ($204,000)

• Fyzical Therapy & Balance Center, The Shoppes at Bursca, Washington Pike ($135,000)

Primanti Bros. facade work was under way in December.

Photo by Andrea Iglar

According to Allegheny County, the total value of all taxable real estate in South Fayette is more than $1.8 billion—an increase of $6.9 million over the course of 2022.

Township Manager John Barrett largely attributed this increase to construction at The Piazza and Newbury Market.

“We anticipated these projects and anticipated the positive impact they would have on township revenues,” he said.

Building Permits

The township Building and Code Department issues permits and conducts inspections to ensure projects are safely built to code.

In 2022, the department issued 417 building permits—18 more than in 2021.

A total of 69 are commercial permits, including 6 for new construction; 49 for fire alarms and other accessory features; and 14 for alterations, renovations, additions and demolitions.

Total estimated value of all building permits in 2022 was $65.6 million, including commercial, residential and tax-exempt.

The biggest tax-exempt permit was for the $16.4 million construction of South Fayette Township’s new 36,000-square-foot municipal center and police station on Hickory Grade Road.

Residential

A total of 344 residential building permits were issued, including 88 for new homes valued at $24 million.

A total of 56 were single-family, and 32 were townhouses.

Most of the new homes were located in Lafayette Meadow on Battle Ridge Road and Hastings on Mayview Road.

Homeowners spent $5 million on 242 accessory structures such as decks (92), fences (45), deck/patio roofs (25), rooftop solar panels (22), swimming pools (17) and sheds (15).

Looking Ahead

Barrett said the township's tax base will keep growing.

“This growth will continue to provide us with the opportunity to expand and improve services to the community,” he said.

Here are development highlights anticipated in 2023 and beyond:

• Home construction will continue at Hastings.

• Maronda Homes and Foxlane Homes are expected to start building single-family houses in Stonegate, a 192-lot plan along Battle Ridge Road, near the South Fayette school campus.

• Apex Newbury Apartments holds approvals to build a 416unit complex along Oakridge Road.

• Planning is under way for Cigars International, a 9,377-square-foot cigar store and lounge at Newbury Market, next to Topgolf.

• Chrome Federal Credit Union plans to build a bank at the corner of Millers Run Road and Route 50.

• Building permit applications are expected for three eateries at The Piazza, including Mezeh Mediterranean Grill (bowls, flatbreads, pockets), Raising Cane’s (chicken finger meals) and Pizzaiolo Primo (pizza, pasta, wine).

• The Piazza also announced tenant Stride Fitness, a boutique fitness studio.

Southern Beltway Corridor

The next big magnet for development is expected to be the area around the Southern Beltway. Four miles of the toll highway run through the southwestern part of the township.

The first major development at the beltway likely will be Traditions of America, a 497-acre mixed-use project to include an element of housing for adults ages 55 and older.

The project would extend water and sewer service to the largely undeveloped area, which will set the stage for additional development to follow, Barrett said.

“As the Southern Beltway corridor develops, the private sector will be investing to expand local infrastructure, so that burden should not be on the residents of South Fayette,” he said.