The cleared land languished for decades and became what could be described as an urban wasteland— the vacant lots became overgrown with only a few scattered structures remaining. Meanwhile, the Hill District steadily deteriorated and lost population. In the late 1980s progress in reconstructing the area was finally made. Pittsburgh's Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) acquired the derelict land and, with the participation of the Hill Community Development Corporation—the Hill District's newly formed community group—succeeded in initiating the development process for the area.