About — Storefront Suites

A Legacy Continued…

The Storefront Suites project is a brick and mortar representation of the commitment to positive change and passion for a better more vibrant Hill for both Edna Council and Janicee Williams, owner’s of Storefront Suites and EJ Purpose. Centre Avenue, specifically as it runs through the Hill District, is changing. It’s evolving. It’s the next great place to be – to live and to work. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to be here!

Storefront Suites

The Storefront Suites project represents the legacy and purpose of E. J. Purpose. We created this development group with this project in mind. We, Edna Council and Janicee Williams, wanted to give back to our community by providing quality commercial rental space and apartments along our growth and recovering business corridor. Our passion is our purpose.

The Hill District was once a lively and bustling neighborhood characterized by the community members that called it home. Unfortunately, due to disinvestment the neighborhood has been left behind, unable to flourish. Through the Storefront Suites project EJ Purpose will create affordable housing and a commercial space at 2164-66 Centre Ave.

The project goals are to:

Be a catalytic part of the transformation of the Centre Avenue Corridor
Provide mixed-use (retail & housing) opportunities
Restore and preserve the architectural and historic character of structures in the community
Remove evidence of disinvestment and the influence of blight in the commercial corridor
Promote safety and security in an urban environment

EJ Purpose focuses on restoration and revitalization over demolition. The firm recognizes the organic beauty of the community and is encouraging historical preservation. Through this project EJ Purpose hopes to both acknowledge the Hill District’s vibrant past but also shift it towards its bright future.

To-date the project has received overwhelming community support, as well as support from City Administration and Councilman R. Daniel Lavelle. Funding has been obtained through private bank financing, private equity, and various URA funding programs.

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The History of EJ Purpose, llc.

Founded in 2009 by Janicee Williams and her mother Edna Council, EJ Purpose is a real estate development firm based in Pittsburgh, PA. It was created with the mission to develop and redevelop mixed use, commercial, and residential storefront properties in neighborhood business districts. The development of these properties is dedicated to uplift the surrounding community by creating opportunities and providing a physical and social product to the community. The firm is currently working with the Consensus Group; a 501c3.

About the Founders

Janicee Williams is the President and owner of EJ Purpose, LLC. She has extensive experience in property management and financial planning, and has acquired over 15 years of experience in financial investment. She and her husband became the first African Americans in Western PA to become the developer and owner of a commercial building. As a lifelong member of the Hill District she has been volunteered with the TV ministry at Central Baptist Church, the Hill Consensus Group, and on the Hill Community Development Corp Board.

Edna Council is a lifelong Hill District resident and is referred to fondly as Ms. Edna. Known to lend a helping hand wherever necessary and not expecting anything in return, she is a devoted volunteer, grandparent figure that children lacked, and an impeccable example of a good neighbor. She took in children desperate for refuge and provided coats in shoes for anyone in need. She has pride in her neighborhood and took part in its physical improvement through various projects. For this and her other volunteer roles in the Children’s Art And Talk Group (CHAAT), Hill District Consensus Group as treasurer and co-founder, and on the Center of Family Excellence steering committee. She is both respected and admired and has received the Sister Susan Walsh “The Good Neighbor” award. When receiving her award, she humbly stated, “I didn’t do any of these things for recognition. I did them because I wanted to.”
The Hill House was an iconic landmark that stood for roughly 50 years in the Hill District. Ms. Edna was a devote member and eventual employee of the Hill House. Beginning as a volunteer, her selfless acts of service gotten the attention of the executive director at the time who then promoted her. In her new position as Senior Program Coordinator, she oversaw events and programs and recruitment. She was also trusted with various other programs around the city. Though she is grateful for what the Hill House has done for her, it is the community who is grateful for what she has done for them