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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 15, 2026 |
Molly Onufer
Press Secretary
molly.onufer@pittsburghpa.gov |
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Mayor O’Connor Announces Three Downtown Vibrancy Initiatives
Pittsburgh, PA – In support of his agenda to promote overall growth, Mayor O’Connor has highlighted three important Downtown initiatives that will be considered by the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s Board of Directors later today. The initiatives mark first steps towards growth, placemaking and new small business opportunities in the central business district.
The first item is to authorize a study to establish a Downtown Pittsburgh Transit Revitalization Investment District (TRID). If established, the TRID would provide long-term, sustainable funding that provides incentives for investment in infrastructure, small business support, residential conversions, facade renovations and large-scale development projects.
“Downtown is the economic heart of our whole region and we need to provide it with resources to make growth happen,” Mayor O’Connor said. “We are serious about hitting the ground running and taking steps that create a strong and inclusive Downtown where there’s opportunities for small businesses, families, housing and redevelopment.”
The URA Board will vote to issue a request for proposals (RFP) for district-wide art and lighting design. This initiative will work with artists to create lighting installations aimed at creating vibrancy, creative destination points and safer, better-lit streets throughout Downtown.
In addition, the URA Board will vote to issue an RFP to begin the process of investigating the possibility of transforming the storefronts under Mellon Square on Smithfield Street into a restaurant that could operate in the building and provide outdoor dining within the park. This concept would activate both Mellon Square and support the vision to rebuild Smithfield Street.
The URA Board of Directors will meet today, Thursday, January 15 at 2:00 PM. Meetings are publicly streamed on Zoom. Instructions can be found here.
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