Pittsburgh Leaders Revitalize Our Downtown
Once an office-centric downtown heavily utilized by large businesses and employees, Pittsburgh — like many cities across the country — has faltered post-pandemic. We must unite to rejuvenate our downtown to create public spaces and housing options that enhance the quality of life and boost economic opportunities, making downtown Pittsburgh relevant to all of southwestern Pennsylvania and drawing people from across the region and beyond to our vibrant neighborhood.
We can’t let this moment to reimagine our downtown pass by; we must act now so that it will be here for generations. Together, we will reinvent our downtown to be defined by vibrant neighborhoods, connected green spaces, a thriving business district for companies large, small, local, and global, inclusive entertaining, and to be connected to our beautiful rivers and nearby communities. The success of a new downtown will emanate throughout the 10-county region, offering other main streets enhanced opportunities to attract individuals and business investment. What happens downtown has ripple effects across the entire 10-county region, and revitalizing downtown Pittsburgh — and other main streets across southwestern Pennsylvania — will bolster our value proposition, creating opportunities to attract global business investment to our region.
Delivering on this promise requires us to align around a common vision and do what Pittsburghers have done for more than 80 years — come together as one for the greater good. Public and private sector leaders have joined forces to unlock opportunities that will make this vision a reality. Convening business, philanthropic, nonprofit, university, and community partners, we have worked diligently to reimagine Pittsburgh’s future. Together, we have taken immediate action — stabilizing downtown through programmatic investments in health and public safety, identifying sustainable solutions to maintain those investments, and repositioning our real estate market for a new mix of residential and commercial uses.
As elected officials and business leaders, we stand ready to support a comprehensive revitalization plan for downtown Pittsburgh.
Sincerely,
Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato
City of Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey
Allegheny Conference on Community Development CEO Stefani Pashman
Urban Redevelopment Authority Executive Director Susheela Nemani-Stanger
Sara Innamorato
Allegheny County
Executive
Ed Gainey
City of Pittsburgh
Mayor
Stefani Pashman
Allegheny Conference on
Community Development CEO
Susheela Nemani-Stanger
Executive Director,
Urban Redevelopment
Authority of Pittsburgh
Revitalization Pillars
Economic Development
Attracting and retaining a diverse mix of businesses, restaurants, and retailers will be key to the city’s future vibrancy; job creation will produce sustained opportunities for residents downtown and across the region. Repurposing real estate and rethinking our built environment will enable entrepreneurs, diverse start-ups, and growing businesses to locate and flourish in downtown Pittsburgh.
Housing
Downtown office-to-residential conversions are a key piece of revitalizing downtown Pittsburgh to create a true neighborhood. Converting empty office spaces into residential units, many of them affordable, provides opportunities to attract residents to live in the downtown area. Through partnerships across the public and private sectors, we will work to evolve downtown to convert outdated spaces into new housing units that appeal to individuals and families of all kinds.
Clean & Safe
Cleanliness and safety are two of the most critical factors in revitalization efforts. It is imperative that visitors, residents, and employees in downtown Pittsburgh feel safe from harm, experience a clean atmosphere, and feel welcomed as a member of the community.
Placemaking Projects
As downtown Pittsburgh evolves into a true neighborhood, reimagining civic spaces and the public realm will be critical in supporting residential conversions. Neighborhoods have something for everyone, and throughout the next few years, our updated spaces and enhanced programming will support vibrancy while providing amenities for residents, employees, and visitors downtown.
Voices of
Downtown
Speak up and tell us about your downtown successes and struggles for a chance to be featured here.
Our Partners
