Executive Innamorato Celebrates One Year of Downtown Revitalization

Published on October 29, 2025

PITTSBURGH – Today County Executive Sara Innamorato joined with Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, State DCED Secretary Rick Siger, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership CEO Jeremy Waldrup, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust President and CEO Kendra Whitlock Ingram, and Allegheny Conference on Community Development CEO Stefani Pashman to celebrate progress over the last 12 months in Downtown Pittsburgh.

On October 25, 2024, government, business, arts and community leaders joined to announce a historic investment into Downtown Pittsburgh. The $600 million 10-year united Pittsburgh’s private sector, local and state government, corporate leaders, and nonprofits behind a plan to build more housing, revitalize public spaces, and improve safety, cleanliness, and affordability Downtown.

“Downtown’s transformation is a testament to our region’s tenacity and willingness to not just imagine a better tomorrow but work collaboratively towards it. One year in, we’ve made tremendous progress. I’m proud that the County provided increased human services support and contributed $4.5 million to residential and mixed-use projects Downtown. Together we’re going to create a new Downtown where everyone feels safe and welcomed to live, work, and play,” said County Executive Sara Innamorato.

“Market Square’s construction is halfway there and right on track,” said Jeremy Waldrup, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership. “Market Square is the region’s most important public space, and this milestone reflects the collective progress transforming Downtown. This work creates a safer, greener, and more welcoming town square that will support more events, markets, outdoor dining, and year-round activity for the more than three million people who visitors to the Square each year.”

One year later, construction is underway across Downtown, and tangible progress has been made across public realm and residential conversion construction projects, public safety, and human services.

Public Realm Projects

Market Square is celebrating the halfway point in its construction, with work shifting soon from the north side of the square to the south side. The $15 million investment will result in an improved flexible public space available for year-round events. New outdoor furniture will be purchased to provide an elevated outdoor dining destination for downtown. Market Square is on track to reopen in April of 2026.

Arts Landing is a $31 million creation of an entirely new public art and civic space Downtown in the Cultural District. The space will feature a new performance stage and great lawn; Downtown’s first playground for families and kids; 100 new trees, native plants, and walking paths; pickleball courts and flexible play areas, and more. It will be the home of the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts festival and other arts and public event programming. Arts Landing is on track to open in April of 2026.

Point State Park is receiving a $3.1 million restoration, focused on improvements of sidewalks and hardscapes. Additionally, the iconic fountain is being rehabilitated, and hundreds of new lights are being added. Later in 2027, a larger phase 2 of construction will begin that will add more recreational spaces to the park. Point State Park is on track to reopen in April of 2026.

Residential Conversion Projects

The state has committed $62 million for seven major mixed-use residential conversion projects that will create or protect nearly 1,000 units. Additionally, the URA has committed $36 million towards 10 residential and mixed-use Downtown projects, and Allegheny County Economic Development has committed $4.5 million across three Downton projects.

Public Safety and Human Services

Through collaboration across public safety agencies, human services providers, non-profits and corporate partners, great strides have been made to improve public safety, human services, and cleanliness Downtown. Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership has power-washed more than 3 million square feet of sidewalks and alleyways, making sure the Golden Triangle is appealing and clean for visitors and residents alike.

Since a peak of 150 tents Downtown and on river trails in the summer of 2024, the total number of encampments has been reduced by 93 percent to just a handful today. The City of Pittsburgh has hired 50 new police officers and increased their presence downtown. There was a significant decrease in homicides in the City of Pittsburgh over the past few years. There was a 30 percent decline in 2025 over 2024, and a 55 percent decline since 2022.

"I couldn't be prouder of the progress we've made in our efforts to revitalize Downtown Pittsburgh," said Mayor Ed Gainey.  "This effort represents more than updated buildings and reimagined spaces — it’s about renewing the heart of our city, supporting local businesses, and creating a vibrant, welcoming space for everyone. I want to thank our residents and business community for their patience, and our state and local partners for their commitment and vision as we continue building a downtown that reflects the spirit and future of Pittsburgh."

“One year ago, Governor Josh Shapiro united Pittsburgh’s private sector, local nonprofits, and county and city government behind a concrete 10-year plan to revitalize downtown Pittsburgh. Today’s event is another reminder that we are turning that plan into action,” said DCED Secretary Rick Siger. “Over the past year, real progress has been made to create new housing opportunities, improve safety, and bring new vibrancy to the Golden Triangle — and we’re just getting started.” 

"It is remarkable to see the transformation that can take place in just one year when projects have vision, commitment, and engaged partners across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors,” said Stefani Pashman, CEO of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development. “Thanks to the leadership of Governor Shapiro and ongoing work of our partners at the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and many others, we’re showing progress toward a reimagined Downtown neighborhood made for Pittsburghers, anchored by the 10-year vision plan.” 

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