Pittsburgh’s new downtown vision aims to be a ‘magnet for everyone,’ says Allegheny Conference CEO
Writer: Eleana Teran
June 2024 — The American downtown today is being held to higher standards to compete for people’s time and money. And in downtown Pittsburgh, ambitious redevelopments in Market Square, Point State Park, and Fort Duquesne Boulevard as part of a larger initiative could provide the key to cultivating a more vibrant space for professionals and families to live, work, and play.
The new vision plan, recently unveiled by the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, Allegheny County, and the city of Pittsburgh, is the culmination of six months of collaborative efforts involving over 40 stakeholder groups with the aim to create connective corridors in downtown. The proposed project will incorporate a green park with an outdoor amphitheater, cafes, and a balcony overlooking the Allegheny River. This space would connect seamlessly with the other key areas, fostering a cohesive, pedestrian-friendly environment.
Field Operations, the design firm behind New York City’s High Line, has been tasked with bringing this vision to life. The plan includes revamping Pint State Park’s entrance, making Market Square more pedestrian-centric, and creating a vibrant 8th Street block.
“By tapping the national expertise of Field Operations, we’re identifying the assets that differentiate Pittsburgh,” said Allegheny Conference CEO Stefani Pashman on the IndexPGH website. “Our goal is to capitalize on these in novel ways to create a vital neighborhood downtown – not just a corporate and jobs center or an arts and entertainment destination but a magnet for everyone to live, work, and play.”
These projects are part of a broader effort to address declining office occupancy rates and transform downtown into a desirable residential area. A recent report suggests that nearly 50% of downtown Pittsburgh office spaces could be empty by 2028, as cited by Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. It also reveals that over two dozen buildings are at risk of foreclosure, further compounding the city’s economic challenges. In the last quarter of 2023, Pittsburgh’s overall office vacancy rate increased for the eighth consecutive quarter. However, the first quarter of 2024 showed slight signs of recovery, with vacancy rates dipping slightly, lower absorption figures, and a modest increase in average rental rates.
With high office vacancies and daily foot traffic down by 33% compared to pre-pandemic levels, the need for change is palpable. The focus is on converting unused office spaces into affordable housing options.
“Young people that want to live here and make this their home – we’re not breaking their pockets, but we’re empowering them, inspiring them to be here because they can afford to live here, but they can afford to go to the show,” said Mayor Ed Gainey, as cited by 90.5 WESA. “That’s what this is all about. Create a neighborhood, we create a home.”
The next step involves engaging with the community to refine the plans and secure the necessary funding. While no specific timeline has been set, the commitment to transforming downtown Pittsburgh into a thriving, safe neighborhood is clear.
Bill Demchak, chairman and CEO of PNC Financial Services Group and chair of the Allegheny Conference’s downtown task force, stressed the importance of collaboration, saying: “Our goal is not to try to recreate the downtown Pittsburgh of the past – a place where people had their offices and were forced to commute every day – but to completely reimagine it as a place people want to be.”
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