A message from Councilman Bobby Wilson
Thank you for subscribing to the District 1 newsletter. Your feedback has helped shape this issue, and I’m grateful to all of the neighborhood groups and residents who weighed in.
For now, we plan to distribute seasonal newsletters, with the hope of gradually increasing the frequency in the future. I’m committed to keeping you informed and making city government work better for all of us.
District 1 Projects
My office remains committed to making the much-needed improvements within our district, and we are committed to creating a better community for all of you. With your continued support, we've renovated the historic Chestnut Street, improved the Allegheny Promenade, and revitalized Deer Pit Park — just to name a few.
 We're keeping that momentum going with even more projects on the way. Here are some D1 projects to follow as they progress:
Planning/Design
Riverview Playground *NEW*
Benton Ave Traffic Calming *NEW*
Baytree Street Traffic Calming *NEW*
Cowley-Goettmann Park
East Ohio Streetscape
Spring Garden Park/Michael Flynn Field
Swindell Bridge
Strip District Mobility Projects
Traffic Calming
Marmaduke Park
Under Construction
Allegheny Riverfront Park
Davis Avenue Bridge
Riverview Park Landslide remediation
North Avenue Signals & Safety Project
Legislative initiatives
Pittsburgh’s zoning code hasn’t kept up with our city’s needs. Outdated lot size rules are driving up construction costs, limiting housing options, and keeping working families out of the market. That’s why I introduced legislation in March to modernize minimum lot size requirements. This is a standalone, common-sense bill that cuts through the gridlock and makes housing more affordable without changing the character of our neighborhoods.
The breakdown is as follows:
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Minimum lot sizes in very low-density single-family zones would decrease from 8,000 to 6,000 square feet
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In low-density zones, minimum lot sizes would decrease from 5,000 to 3,000 square feet
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In moderate-density zones, minimum lot sizes would decrease from 3,200 to 2,400 square feet
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In high-density zones, minimum lot sizes would decrease from 1,800 to 1,200 square feet
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In very high-density zones, the minimum lot size requirement would be eliminated.
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The legislation would also remove per-unit minimums for multifamily development.
A public hearing for bill 2025-1575 has been scheduled for April 23rd, 2025 from 2pm-5pm
To register to speak, please complete the online Speaker Sign up form at: https://pittsburghpa.gov/clerk/council-meetings You may also call the City Clerk's office at (412) 255-2138. Sign up is required by 9 am on Wednesday April 23, 2025. Testimony can be made in person or virtually via Zoom. You may also submit testimony/comments in advance, by the close of business Tuesday, April 22, 2025 by emailing the City Clerk’s Office at cityclerksoffice@pittsburghpa.gov.
Let’s work together to build a more affordable and accessible Pittsburgh for everyone.
Property Tax update
The City’s Department of Finance discovered an issue affecting some 2024 Tax Increment Financing (TIF) accounts. Due to a payment processing error involving Zions Bank, some school property tax bills were mistakenly sent to Jordan Tax Service.
Fix in progress:
- The city is pulling back affected accounts.
- Zions Bank is working on a resolution.
Think you’re affected?
Email: realestatetaxinfo@pittsburghpa.gov
Subject: "Jordan Tax Service/TIF Payment Issue"
Phone: (412) 255-2525
Include your name, phone number, and parcel ID if possible.
PRT State Funding
Pittsburgh Regional Transit is facing a funding crisis that could lead to fare increases and service reductions by 2026. Let your voices be heard!
PRT is scheduled to hold three public hearings regarding these proposed fare increases and service reductions.
Tuesday, April 29, 2025, 9 AM to 1 PM AND 3 PM to 7 PM
David L. Lawrence Convention Center (Pittsburgh Ballroom, 3rd Floor), 1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Tuesday, May 6, 2025, 9 AM to 1 PM AND 3 PM to 7 PM The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum (1st Floor Auditorium), 4141 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Thursday, June 12, 2025, 9 AM to 1 PM AND 3 PM to 7 PM
David L. Lawrence Convention Center (Room 302-204), 1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
To submit written comment please go to www.rideprt.org/2025-funding-crisis/make-your-voice-heard
Please register for a time to provide public comment online at https://linktr.ee/PRTpublichearings or via phone by calling (412) 566-5187.
For transit scheduling information to attend a public hearing, please visit www.rideprtorg or call PRT's Customer Service at 412.442.2000
Find your state legislators: https://www.palegis.us/find-my-legislator.
Broken & Fixable
What's Broken?
My office is continuously working to address key issues in our community—one of which is the challenge of abandoned properties.
Recently, the American Legion building in Troy Hill collapsed after years of disrepair. Luckily no one was injured but this should never have happened. Despite early calls from residents to have the building demolished, the current rules in place for dealing with privately-owned buildings, even if they are abandoned, make it difficult for the city to process these cases quickly. Inspectors from the Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections (DPLI) were unable to fully assess the property and condemn it before its collapse.
How can we fix it?
I'm working closely with the Director of DPLI to understand the needs of the department in order to be more proactive in the condemnation of public and privately-owned buildings. I've suggested purchasing drones to use in exterior inspections for private property for a more thorough evaluation of a building. I will also work with my colleagues on City Council to find ways to provide more funding for city-funded demolitions.
If there is an unstable property in your neighborhood, please reach out to my office at district1@pittsburghpa.gov.
From fixing potholes to tackling blight, I work closely with these city departments to address daily concerns in District 1. Here’s how each agency serves you:
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