Otto Milk Officially Breaks Ground

From Left to Right: Otto Buyer, Melynda Cutler; Otto Buyer, Marjorie Baum; Project Developer, Jack Benoff; Pittsburgh Mayor, Luke Ravenstahl; Sales & Marketing Coordinator, Kathy Wallace; Otto Buyer, Courtney Connell; Otto Buyer, Jan Davis; Otto Buyer, Tony Araujo.

On November 2, 2009, ground was officially broken on the Otto Milk Condos project.  Much of the demolition was completed prior to this date, but the official ceremony gave Otto a chance to shine in front of news cameras, reporters and the entire Strip District community. The guest of honor was Pittsburgh Mayor, Luke Ravenstahl, who spoke to the importance of projects like Otto for the continued growth of neighborhoods in the city.  Project developer, Jack Benoff, was also present, along with many Otto buyers and Strip District neighbors.

You can still watch the great television news coverage by KDKA by visiting their website.  Want to see some more pictures from this event? Check out Otto's Flickr page.

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's remarks at the Ground Breaking Ceremony had the work crew's attention.

Construction Update

Everyone hard at work at an Otto planning meeting. Clockwise from left: Sales & Marketing Coordinator, Kathy Wallace; Developer, Jack Benoff; Project Manager, Anthony Scolieri; Architects, Brian Kaminski and Rob Indovina; Franjo Principal, Joe Leonello; Project Supervisor, Mike Trapuzzano.

Everyone has been working tirelessly at the Otto building site to ensure timely progress on the project.  Among the many projects currently underway, last week Franjo began constructing the foundation for the new building that is located between the warehouse building and the tower building.

There is plenty of activity in the other structures as well.  The warehouse and tower building are well on their way to being refurbished and will soon be ready to begin the framing process for the corridors.  After that comes framing for the bathrooms along with the plumbing "rough-ins."

Otto Reaches 60% Sold

The Otto Milk Building Condominiums have reached yet another milestone in the preconstructed phase- 60% sold.  A big "thanks" goes out to all the Otto buyers for making this project a huge success!

Neighborhood Links

Neighbors in the Strip

City of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Flea

Note from the Developer:

Otto is Now Approved for FHA/VA Funding!

I am happy to announce that last week we received official word that the Otto Milk Building Condos are HUD (FHA/VA) approved.  This is great news for all of our Otto buyers that can mean government backed home loans with lower down payments and faster processing.  For more information on FHA visit FHA.com or I found this great article that sums it up quite well.

-Jack Benoff, Solara Ventures

Profile: Anthony Scolieri

Anthony Scolieri began working with his uncles, Frank and Joe, at FranJo Construction over eight years ago.  As a project engineer for the Otto Milk building and our point person for interior finish selection, our buyers may get to meet Anthony very soon!  Here’s a little introduction.

How long have you been working in the construction business?  

Well, as a kid, I spent a few summers working side by side with my grandfather, who was a home builder in Western Pennsylvania from 1987 until 2000. That was a great learning experience because I was in the field learning every different aspect of the construction industry .  I started working at Franjo when I was a college student, interning over summer and winter breaks the entire four years while in school.  Since then, I've been working full time there for over four years now.

What made you want to join the family business?  What’s it like working so closely with your family on a daily basis? 

It wasn’t so much about family as the industry itself.  Working in the construction field poses new challenges everyday and I found out quickly that no matter how much experience you have in the industry, there's always something new to learn.  As for working with my family everyday, it's definitely an adventure.  Some people may think that when you work with your family, that they will give you preferential treatment.  Not true.  In fact, I’ve found that working with family will actually make you work harder because so much more is expected of you.  It’s one thing to disappoint your boss, it's another to disappoint your family.

Project Manager Anthony Scolieri seen here with Developer, Jack Benoff and Sales & Marketing Coordinator, Kathy Wallace in the Otto Building.

What has been your role in the Otto Milk project? 

I’m the Project Manager at Otto.  Essentially, I make sure that the project runs smoothly from the office.  Coordinating subcontractors, drawings, contracts; meeting with code officials, architects, and engineers to ensure complete conformance with construction regulations. Also, I serve as the liaison between the Owner/Customers and the Office/Field.  Additionally, I will be meeting with Otto buyers to walk them through the selection process of their final unit finishes, including flooring, paint colors, door styles and kitchen cabinets.

What is your favorite aspect of Otto?

Well, as we all know, the streets of Pittsburgh are littered with old buildings that seem to have been forgotten by time. With the transformation of Otto Milk we are restoring the elegance of Pittsburgh's streets while keeping its “Steel City” charm. Being a native of Pittsburgh myself, going to high school and college here, and now living here, it makes me very proud to be able to contribute to the revitalization of the City.

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