Braddock Redux – Nyia Page Braddock Community Center

On Set at the Nyia Page Braddock Community Center

August 2010 – In January 2010, Massaro Corporation was chosen by Braddock Redux to repurpose the First Presbyterian Church into a community center in Braddock. It has been used as such for four years, but there were major roof problems, no heat and other critical issues with the building.

Mayor John Fetterman was approached by Levi Strauss & Co. to use Braddock as a central theme for its 2010 “Ready to Work” campaign. Levi’s learned about Mayor Fetterman and his innovative attempts to revitalize the community of Braddock through articles written in both the New York Times and Rolling Stone Magazine. In return for allowing the company to film in Braddock, Levi’s was willing to make a sizable investment to renovate the community center and help to grow the urban farms project. Mayor Fetterman, also the executive director of Braddock Redux, approached Massaro Corporation to be the general contractor for the renovation of the community center because of his knowledge of Massaro’s work in other Pittsburgh communities, more specifically, the Union Project. Massaro Corporation employees and subcontractors were seen working in “episode 2″ of the Levi’s advertising campaign as seen here. Phase one was completed July 23 with additional phases to follow. This phase included a new large stained glass window, new roof, windows, plumbing, electric and ADA upgrades. Mayor Fetterman said of Massaro’s work on the community center, “This project would not have been possible without Massaro. Their professionalism, expertise, generosity and work ethic all are, in my experience, unmatched.”