Smack dab in the middle of Leetsdale Drive is a mound of dirt sneering over a sea of vehicles stuck in traffic due to congestion, bad public transit, and, as of late, lane closures.
The constant congestion and transit issues aside, the increased traffic along Leetsdale near the intersection of Forest Street is due to development plans of the dirt hill at 5301 Leetsdale Drive.
And Leetsdale travelers, you'll be dealing with those closures for about another week.
Sewage work connected to a potential new apartment complex at 5301 Leetsdale Drive is causing street closures on Forest and lane closures on Leetsdale. They need another week to complete the work, according to the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure.
American Demolition Inc. applied for the street closure along Forest from Leetsdale to Dakota Street. There've also been partial lane closures along Leetsdale heading in both directions.
The permit, according to DOTI, is for the installation of a new sewer main connected to the project at 5301 Leetsdale.
That project, if approved by the city, will be two 3-story apartment buildings combining for about 283 apartments. The buildings will be connected by a bridge and the 5.03-acre site will have a parking structure, two courtyards, a pool and a basement.
According to Community Planning and Development, the site is owned by 226 Monroe LLC and the permit applicant is Embrey Partners LLC.
CPD said the project is currently in its demolition phase and the city is reviewing the developmental plans for the site.
A request for comment from the listed applicant was not immediately returned. According to a Community Participation Report submitted to the city on July 1, 2021, the project will be market-rate housing. Units will go from $1,500 to $3,000 depending on size.
CPD said the project isn't subject to the Expanding Housing Affordability policy since plans were submitted to the city in 2021. EHA rules became effective on July 1, 2022. CPD added that the project is allowed to continue under the old rules as long as the site plans are approved by May, 2024.
Back to the street closures and traffic. DOTI said American Demolition applied for an extension on the street closure permit due to weather, equipment issues and restoration of the asphalt.
So, prepare for a little more patience during your commute along Leetsdale.
