Ma’at Construction Group (Ma’at) was selected by Bridgeway Capital as the general contractor for the first stage of 7800 Susquehanna Street’s interior renovations. In 2014, Bridgeway expanded its economic revitalization strategy by purchasing 7800 Susquehanna Street with the support of the Richard King Mellon Foundation.
The goal is to re-purpose the former industrial building into a platform for economic renewal in the neighborhood of Homewood. Mark Peterson, Bridgeway’s President and CEO, said that “the building represents a major opportunity to improve business conditions in one of the region’s most challenging markets.”
Ma’at emerged from the Community Empowerment Association (CEA) in 1997 in order to assist Homewood residents with training and employment. Co-owner, T. Rashad Byrdsong, understood that revitalization in Homewood had to include grassroots economic development.
“Ma’at was a direct response to double-digit unemployment rates, specifically in a lot of disadvantaged communities.” Click on the image above to view a video featuring Ma’at’s story.
– Rashad Byrdsong, Co-owner Ma’at Construction GroupMa’at plans on leasing space in 7800 Susquehanna Street to expand operations and provide educational opportunities for minority-owned construction businesses. Ma’at’s second co-owner,Johnnie Comer, joined the team as the complexity of the company’s projects required an additional level of construction expertise. Comer believes that the anticipated training center will “help other contractors from the Homewood area take better advantage of Pittsburgh’s building boom.”
On the interior rehabilitation, Byrdsong commented that “it’s our first experience leading a project of this scale. After its successful completion, the city’s construction sector will understand that Ma’at can take things to the next level.” Like Bridgeway, Ma’at grew out of a desire to stimulate community vitality through economic opportunity. 7800 Susquehanna Street and Homewood are ideal locations to benefit from their shared vision and expanding collaboration.