Share / View as a webpage

Lower Hill Redevelopment Moves Forward with New Investments and Community Input Opportunities

The redevelopment of the Lower Hill District continues to gain momentum, with new housing plans, community investment funding, and opportunities for public input all moving forward this spring.

At its March meeting, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) announced several key steps that will guide the next phase of development, with formal votes scheduled for April 9, 2026.

New Housing Development Planned

The URA will release a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking developers to transform 6.82 acres of currently unused surface parking on the Lower Hill site into new housing. Plans may include a mix of affordable and market-rate units, with potential for retail or other mixed-use components.

This marks an important step toward bringing more residents and activity back to the Lower Hill.

Funding Infrastructure and Community Improvements

The URA Board will also consider updates to the Lower Hill Development Fund, which will be supported through payments made by new developments in the area.

• 50% of generated tax revenue will go toward infrastructure and public space improvements in the Lower Hill

• The remaining 50% will continue to support the Greater Hill District Neighborhood Reinvestment Fund, which invests directly into surrounding neighborhoods

This structure ensures that development in the Lower Hill continues to benefit the broader Hill District community.

Advancing Mixed-Income Housing

Another proposal would formalize plans for 1.75 acres of development on Block A, helping move forward the Bedford Dwellings redevelopment project—a mixed-income housing initiative supported by federal funding.

$930,000 Invested in Hill District Projects

In addition to future plans, the URA Board also approved a $930,000 investment into four community-driven projects through the Greater Hill District Neighborhood Reinvestment Fund. These projects will support new housing, small businesses, and creative spaces in the neighborhood:

• African Queens Apartments – new residential development

• Big Tom’s Barbershop (Phase I) – expansion of a local business

• Rhythm Square (Phase I) – creative and commercial space

• Herron and Wylie Project – mixed-use development

These investments represent a continued commitment to ensuring that development in the Lower Hill creates real opportunities for current residents, supports local entrepreneurs, and strengthens the neighborhood’s long-term growth.

New Granada Theater Reopening Marks Major Milestone for the Hill District

The historic New Granada Theater in the Hill District is set to reopen, marking a major step forward in preserving one of Pittsburgh’s most important cultural landmarks.

Originally opened in 1927, the New Granada Theater was once a cornerstone of the Hill District’s vibrant arts and entertainment scene, hosting legendary performers and serving as a hub of Black culture and community life. After decades of vacancy and decline, the long-anticipated restoration is now nearing completion.

The redevelopment project, led by local partners committed to honoring the building’s legacy, will transform the space into a modern performance venue and community gathering space. Plans include live music, cultural programming, and opportunities to highlight local talent while reconnecting the site to the neighborhood’s rich history.

The reopening of the New Granada Theater represents more than just a building restoration — it reflects a broader effort to invest in the Hill District in a way that celebrates its cultural significance while creating new opportunities for residents and visitors alike.

As the project moves toward completion, additional details about programming and opening events are expected to be announced.

City Advances Comprehensive Plan with Support from Heinz Endowments

The City of Pittsburgh is moving forward with the development of a new comprehensive plan, supported in part by funding from the Heinz Endowments. This effort will guide long-term decisions around land use, housing, infrastructure, and economic development across the city.

The comprehensive plan is intended to serve as a roadmap for how Pittsburgh grows and evolves in the years ahead, helping align development with community priorities and ensuring that investments are made thoughtfully and strategically.

With support from the Heinz Endowments, the City will expand its capacity to engage residents, gather feedback, and incorporate community voices into the planning process. This includes outreach efforts designed to ensure that neighborhoods across Pittsburgh — including those historically underrepresented in planning decisions — have a meaningful role in shaping the future of the city.

The plan will address key issues such as housing affordability, neighborhood stability, transportation, and equitable development, with a focus on balancing growth while preserving the character and needs of existing communities.

As this process moves forward, residents will have multiple opportunities to participate through public meetings, surveys, and community engagement sessions. Additional details on how to get involved will be shared as they become available.

Arbor Day Celebration Coming to Robert E. Williams Park

This April, our district will host a special Arbor Day celebration at Robert E. Williams Park, bringing together residents, families, and environmental groups for a day focused on the importance of trees and green spaces in our community. The City of Pittsburgh Forestry Division will host the event on Saturday, April 11 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The celebration is part of the city’s annual recognition of Arbor Day and Earth Day Week, and helps Pittsburgh maintain its designation as a Tree City USA, a national program recognizing cities committed to urban forestry. The event will be a fun, family-friendly opportunity for residents to learn more about the benefits trees provide—from improving air quality and reducing flooding to making neighborhoods healthier and more beautiful. What to Expect The celebration will feature a variety of activities and opportunities for residents to get involved, including: A tree climbing demonstration with City Forestry crews Environmental booths and activities from City Forestry, Park Rangers, the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, and the City Art Cart A ceremonial tree planting with residents and neighborhood groups Volunteer tree planting to help add approximately 10 new trees to the park as part of ongoing reforestation efforts Free tree giveaways from Tree Pittsburgh (while supplies last) so residents can plant a tree at home Information on requesting a street tree for in front of your home Free food, snacks, and beverages Local neighborhood groups, artists, and youth programs are also encouraged to participate by sharing information about their organizations or showcasing performances and activities focused on the environment. Volunteers Needed City Forestry is currently recruiting volunteers to help plant trees and support the event. Community participation will help restore areas of the park where older or failing trees were recently removed. This Arbor Day celebration is a great opportunity for residents to connect with neighbors, learn about environmental stewardship, and help grow the tree canopy in our district. Additional details about the exact location within the park will be announced as the event approaches.

Street Cleaning Returns April 1 – Remember to Move Your Car

Beginning April 1, the City of Pittsburgh’s street sweeping program will resume and run through November 30. During this time, the Department of Public Works will regularly clean streets across the city to remove debris, litter, and dirt that builds up over the winter months. Street sweeping helps keep our neighborhoods clean, improves stormwater drainage, and prevents trash from entering our rivers and waterways. Crews clean streets using a mix of street sweepers, hand crews, and water flushing equipment depending on the area and the level of activity on the street. What Residents Should Know Street cleaning begins April 1 and runs through November 30. Ticketed street cleaning resumes, so vehicles parked on streets during posted cleaning times may receive a ticket. In residential neighborhoods, street cleaning typically takes place between 8:00 AM and about 2:30 PM on the days posted on street signs. Business districts are usually cleaned overnight to avoid disrupting daytime traffic and parking. Cleaning schedules may occasionally change due to weather conditions. How Often Streets Are Cleaned Not every street is cleaned at the same frequency. The city prioritizes areas based on traffic and activity: Busy commercial districts: cleaned at least twice per week Neighborhood business corridors: cleaned once per week Residential streets: cleaned once or twice per month Low-traffic neighborhood streets: cleaned a few times per year Holidays If a city-observed holiday falls on a scheduled street cleaning day, cleaning will be cancelled for that day and will not be made up until the next scheduled date for that street. Need Additional Cleaning? Residents can request additional street cleaning by calling 311 or submitting a request through the city’s 311 online service. Please remember to check posted signs and move your vehicle during scheduled cleaning hours to avoid a ticket and help crews do their job efficiently.

NFL Draft Resources: What Residents Need to Know

As Pittsburgh prepares to host the 2026 NFL Draft, residents are encouraged to stay informed about what to expect in the weeks leading up to the event. With increased activity expected throughout Downtown and surrounding neighborhoods, many residents have questions about road closures, parking restrictions, public safety measures, and event access. To help answer these questions, Visit Pittsburgh has launched a comprehensive NFL Draft FAQ resource. The FAQ provides up-to-date information on transportation, event logistics, accessibility, and what residents and visitors can expect before and during the Draft. It will continue to be updated as additional details are finalized. Residents can review the full FAQ here: https://www.visitpittsburgh.com/nfl-draft-pittsburgh/nfl-draft-central/faq/ Our office encourages residents — particularly those in neighborhoods closest to the event footprint — to review this information and stay connected for future updates as planning continues.

Get Involved: April Community Meetings

Community engagement remains one of the most important ways residents can stay informed, stay connected, and have their voices heard. Below are recurring meetings happening throughout April:

• Pittsburgh City Council Meetings – Every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. (City-County Building, 414 Grant Street – unless otherwise noted). Residents are welcome to attend and speak during Public Comment.

• North Side Public Safety Council – First Thursday of the month (April 2) at the Mattress Factory Museum, 500 Sampsonia Way (Jacksonia Street entrance).

• Allegheny City Central Association General Membership Meeting – Second Monday of the month (April 13 at 7:00 p.m.) at Arch Court, 1310 Arch Street.

• Zone 2 Public Safety Meeting – Third Wednesday of the month (April 15) at 1908 Wylie Avenue.

• Fineview Perry Hilltop Citizens Council – Fourth Tuesday of the month (April 28 at 6:00 p.m.) at The Pittsburgh Project, 2801 N. Charles Street.

We encourage all residents to attend meetings in their neighborhoods, stay informed, and participate in discussions that shape our community’s future. If your organization has a meeting that we should list and we missed, please let us know!