Rep. Summer Lee Celebrates Cross-Governmental Collaboration from Governor Shapiro, County Executive Innamorato, Mayor Gainey, and Local Leaders Coming Together to Make Record Investments in Improvements to Downtown Pittsburgh

For Immediate Release
October 24, 2024
Contact:
Vaibhav Vijay, Vaibhav.Vijay@mail.house.gov | (771) 215-7243
Kyla Gill, Kyla.Gill@mail.house.gov | (412) 841-7913

Rep. Summer Lee Celebrates Cross-Governmental Collaboration from Governor Shapiro, County Executive Innamorato, Mayor Gainey, and Local Leaders Coming Together to Make Record Investments in Improvements to Downtown Pittsburgh

$600 Million in Investments to Transform Downtown Pittsburgh with New Housing, Public Spaces, Homeless Outreach, Arts Programming, and Small Business Support

Pittsburgh, PA – Today, Rep. Summer Lee joined Governor Josh Shapiro, Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, and other local leaders and stakeholders to celebrate a transformative investment of nearly $600 million in Downtown Pittsburgh. This historic initiative will breathe new life into Pittsburgh’s central business district, aiming to enhance livability, expand affordable housing, and strengthen cultural vibrancy, cleanliness, and safety.

“Across the country, downtowns are facing serious challenges in the wake of COVID-19, but Pittsburgh is coming together to build a downtown where everyone can thrive,” said Rep. Summer Lee. “Thanks to Mayor Gainey, County Executive Innamorato, and Governor Shapiro’s commitment, nearly $600 million will fund efforts like converting historic sites such as Gulf Tower, The Porter, and First and Market, into almost 1,000 new residential units — nearly a third of them affordable housing. This work is building a livable, inclusive neighborhood, and I’m excited to continue collaborating with our regional leaders to save downtown and make Pittsburgh a national model for recovery.”

This transformative $600 million initiative will revitalize downtown Pittsburgh, enhancing residential spaces, public areas, and cultural vibrancy through government-private partnerships. Key areas of investment include mixed-use residential projects, public space improvements, community safety, business support, and the arts.

Building and Renovating Mixed-Use Residential Projects

With over $500 million in combined capital, these seven major developments will add or preserve nearly 1,000 residential units downtown, with a third of them designated as affordable housing for residents with low-to-moderate incomes. Projects include:

• Gulf Tower: Conversion of the historic Gulf Oil building into a 225-unit apartment complex, including a 147-room hotel and street-level commercial spaces.
• City Club Apartments: Construction of 294 residential units on the former YWCA headquarters site, with new restaurant and retail spaces.
• The Porter: Transforming an office complex into 165 residential units, retaining retail along a key downtown corridor.
• 933 Penn Avenue: Conversion of an office space into 70 residential units with accompanying commercial spaces.
• Smithfield Lofts Building: Renovation of unused offices into 46 residential units and improvement of remaining office areas.
• First and Market: Conversion to a 93-unit affordable apartment complex.
• May Building: Preservation of 86 existing apartment units.

Revitalizing Public Spaces

Complementing residential projects, significant investments will enhance three iconic public spaces, making downtown Pittsburgh more attractive for residents, visitors, and businesses.

• 8th Street Block Civic Space: A $30 million investment, led by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, will convert underused areas in the Cultural District into an outdoor venue for festivals, performances, and recreation, featuring amenities like a family play area, restrooms, and public art installations.
• Market Square & Liberty Avenue Medians: Another $30 million in public, private, and philanthropic funding will improve paving, add seating, expand dining options, and increase capacity for events, linking Market Square and Point State Park.
• Point State Park: A $25 million state investment will enhance pedestrian access, update lighting at the iconic fountain, and add recreational activities, timed to be ready for the 2026 NFL Draft, bringing a national spotlight to Pittsburgh.

Creating a Cleaner, Safer, and More Culturally Vibrant Downtown

To make downtown a great place to live, work, and play, the initiative also includes investments in public safety, small business support, and cultural development.

• Supporting Local Businesses: With contributions from companies like Duquesne Light, FNB, and Giant Eagle, and funding from the Hillman Foundation, the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP) will enhance its programs to support small businesses, improve street cleaning, and boost downtown’s appeal for shoppers and diners.
• Public Safety Enhancements: Local sports teams—the Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins—have committed $1 million each to support safety initiatives, including mental health co-responders for law enforcement, a youth violence intervention team, and additional police officers to increase patrols.
• Cultural and Arts Scene: The Shapiro Administration is providing $400,000, the largest Creative Communities grant in Pennsylvania history, to develop an artist-in-residence program in the Downtown Arts District. This funding will support local artists and cultural events, fostering Pittsburgh’s rich artistic landscape.

State Contributions

Through the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), Pennsylvania has invested $62.6 million to support:

• Mixed-Use Housing: $22 million for 800 residential units, including 135 affordable units.
• Public Spaces: $25 million for Point State Park improvements.
• Cultural District Transformation: $15 million from the state and over $35 million from local partners to redevelop Market Square and create the 8th Street Block Civic Space.
• Artist Support: $400,000 for the Downtown Arts District to structure arts programming and boost creative entrepreneurship.

The Shapiro Administration has committed $62.6 million to this effort through the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). City and county government, along with corporate and philanthropic partners, will contribute additional funding to achieve the bold vision laid out in this revitalization plan.

“Pittsburgh is a great city, and in order for our Commonwealth to thrive, we need to ensure Downtown Pittsburgh is a hub of innovation, opportunity, and culture,” said Governor Shapiro. “With the Commonwealth’s significant support, we have a plan to invest in and revitalize Downtown – and help it reach its full potential as a great neighborhood where thousands of Pennsylvanians can live, work, enjoy safe public spaces, and contribute to our vibrant culture. Pittsburgh’s elected officials, corporate leaders, sports teams, nonprofits, union workers, and artists are all behind this plan – and together, we will write the next chapter of this great city’s story.”

Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato emphasized that a vibrant downtown is crucial to the well-being of the region and outlined how the county is contributing: “I’m thrilled to be a partner in this work and today’s announcement of nearly $600 million to be invested in Pittsburgh’s downtown to make it a more livable, vibrant, safe and clean neighborhood where everyone can feel comfortable and welcomed. Allegheny County is working hard to incentivize conversions from commercial to residential buildings, and through our Department of Human Services, we are leading the way on providing help to our unhoused neighbors and people in need of mental health and substance use support so everyone can feel safe and welcomed downtown.”

The scope of the investment includes substantial upgrades to public spaces, including the 8th Street Block Civic Space, Market Square, and Point State Park. Mayor Ed Gainey stressed the collaborative nature of the project, saying, “Central business districts across the country are facing enormous challenges in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. What sets our experience in Pittsburgh apart is the partnerships we’ve built to lead Downtown Pittsburgh into the future. When I came into office, I promised we’d get to work, not only to restore, but to reimagine a more vibrant downtown, filled with opportunity. A goal this ambitious couldn’t be met without convening every stakeholder to create a plan for businesses, residents, and visitors alike. In close partnership with the County Executive, we presented the Commonwealth with a united vision for Downtown and the resources needed to achieve it. I’m thankful that Governor Shapiro believed in our vision and provided the critical investments that will position Downtown Pittsburgh to secure and deepen its role as the economic and cultural heart of Southwestern Pennsylvania.”

The investment is expected to create over 3,500 construction jobs in the coming years. Additional contributions are being made by local corporations and philanthropies, including BNY Mellon, Highmark, and Giant Eagle. The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, in collaboration with the Hillman Foundation and other supporters, will provide small business support, public safety resources, and expanded street cleaning initiatives.

Since taking office in January 2023, Lee, who serves on the House Oversight Committee and Space, Science and Technology Committee, has delivered historic levels of federal investment totaling over $2 Billion brought back to Western PA, including over $580 million for infrastructure, over $110 million for affordable transit, over $500 million to keep clean energy manufacturing at home in Pennsylvania, and over $55 million on clean energy efforts in and around schools to help keep our kids and communities safe. These investments will help improve Western Pennsylvania’s infrastructure and transit, ensure cleaner air and drinking water, lower housing costs, fund research institutions, fuel clean manufacturing, fund STEM innovation and entrepreneurship, boost workforce development, and create thousands of good paying union jobs.  Lee and her team have also delivered casework and constituent services to over 2,780 constituents with issues ranging from helping our seniors and disabled community access Medicare and social security to helping folks secure housing and helping families with immigration support and passports.