Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation
1975
The Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation was founded by Father Leo Henry at a community meeting.
1976
Funding was secured for business district improvements. The Bulletin was established to inform the community of activities, issues, and opportunities.
1978
After 45 years without a bank branch in the community, the Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation secured $2.5 million in pledges of deposits from the neighborhood and with a matching pledge from Allegheny County, Equibank opened a branch on Penn Avenue on September 11, 1978.
1981
Richard Swartz was the organization's first full time employee, hired to work on "bricks and mortar," housing and business development in the community.
1984
When a community health survey suggested a lack of access to health care and a high mortality rate in the neighborhood, the Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation worked to open St. Margaret's Family Health Center, a community facility (now the UPMC St. Margaret's Bloomfield-Garfield Family Health Center), with a full-time medical director.
That year, the organization also helped form SNAC (Save our Neighborhood Action Coalition) to keep the local Nabisco plant at its Penn Avenue location, saving the jobs of hundreds of local residents.
1986
The Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation assisted private developers in converting a 28,000 square foot vacant laundry plant into Class A office space. This was the first major commercial development project of the organization. Since then, alone and with partners, the Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation has developed 60,000 square feet of commercial space along Penn Avenue, for a total of approximately $12 million invested as of December 2000.
1988
When studies of bank lending patterns revealed "redlining" or disinvestment, the Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation became a founding member of the Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group. Today, the group works with banks and public agencies on behalf of community organizations across the city to develop model programs and products for low- to moderate-income families. Aggie Brose, hired as the Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation's second full time staff member, has played a large leadership role in the Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group.
1989
Rick Flanagan was hired as Youth Development Director. The Bloomfield-Garfield Reading Center was established in partnership with the Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council and the Carnegie Library.
1990
Working with area hospitals and the Pittsburgh Public Schools, the Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation helped establish the city's first School/Community Health Partnerships.
1995
The Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation purchased a vacant church at 112 North Pacific Avenue and converted it into a community activity center. In 1999, with support from Dollar Bank and the city's Weed 'N' Seed Program, a computer learning center was established on the ground floor.
Integra Bank (now National City) opened a full service branch in a newly -developed pharmacy on Penn Ave., after intensive lobbying and encouragement from the Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation and the Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group.
1997
Mellon Bank selected Bloomfiled-Garfield Corporation as its partner for Pennsylvania's Comprehensive Services Program, which permits the bank to use corporate tax credits in making $2.5 million available for revitalization efforts in the Garfield, Friendship, and Lawrenceville neighborhoods over a 10-year period.
1998
The Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation became regional placement agency for a city-funded youth employment program. Over 120 young people were placed with private employers and non-profit agencies.
1999
In partnership with Friendship Development Associates, over $2 million was invested in a vacant building at Penn and Stratford Avenues. The building is now home to a nationally-known modern dance troupe, the Dance Alloy, and also contains 7 loft-style apartments.
In partnership with Garfield Jubilee Association, the Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation assisted in the development of a multi-year plan for the revitalization of the Garfield neighborhood.
2000
The Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation completed construction of 6 new townhomes at Kincaid and N. Evaline Streets for sale to first-time homebuyers.