Nonprofit looks to develop laboratories for STEM programming in Hill District

Plans are in the works to build laboratory space for STEM programming in Pittsburgh’s Hill District.

The city’s Urban Redevelopment Authority board on Thursday unanimously approved plans to sell property in the Hill District to The Citizens Science Lab.

The Citizens Science Lab previously had a location in the Hill District at the Energy Innovation Center. The organization said it still offers free services for the community through partnerships with the Miller African Centered Academy, Pittsburgh Milliones, The University of Pittsburgh Community Engagement Center and other local organizations.

The nonprofit also has a location in Bethel Park.

The Citizens Science Lab is set to install five state-of-the-art instructional laboratories in the Upper Hill. The space will be used to provide hands-on programs in life science, biomedical, robotics and biotechnology education for students, teachers and adults, according to the URA.

The URA board is selling the nonprofit 13 parcels on Herron Avenue — including the former Martin Luther King Jr. Reading and Cultural Center — for $127,400 plus costs.

“We’re really excited about this project and we can’t wait for it to come to fruition,” said Andre Samuel, CEO of The Citizens Science Lab.

The project is expected to cost nearly $6 million, according to the URA.

“(The) Citizens Science Lab has an outstanding and tremendous impact on our communities,” said Lindsay Powell, who sits on the URA board. “It’s really exciting to see this.”