Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership

Economic development and programming - in 2025, the district development team remained focused on attracting investment in new business development, with a particular emphasis on growing the retail base through its retail development programs: downtown rent abatement and project pop-up. The state of downtown series was relaunched featuring four quarterly webinars focused on the real estate market and economic growth. The team led the market square modernization project and collaborated with local business to prepare for expanded outdoor dining. Public realm projects, including pedestrian lighting on coffey way and sidewalk repairs, enhanced streetscapes. The events team generated excitement and energy throughout downtown by hosting more than 350 events in 2025. Events like picklesburgh, light up night, new winter programming through the thaw, and packed watch parties on 6th street helped drive year-round engagement. Signature series like farmer's market and peoples gas holiday market were relocated due to market square construction creating opportunities for new experiences and expanded activation throughout downtown. The placemaking grant program also served as a vital tool for activation and cultural enrichment funding 18 projects, including 11 special events and two event series.

Operations - the pdp is committed to its core work ensuring downtown is maintained through consistent, visible services. An expanded partnership with renewal, inc increased the clean teams impact by supporting power washing, alleyway cleaning and planter maintenance. The outreach team operated the community connection shuttle, transporting members of the unhoused community to warm, overnight shelters during colder month. The golden triangle ambassadors infused downtown with positive energy through greetings, photo assists, and directions. The pdp engaged over 250 volunteers through cleanup initiatives like redd up week and partnered with the immaculate collection a coordinated volunteer clean-up effort ahead of the 2026 nfl draft.

Transportation - whether arriving by car, bus, bike or on foot transportation remains a critical issue for those who work, live, and visit here. As the region's transit hub, downtown's evolution will impact how people get around the county. In 2025, the pdp oversaw the installation of a new world-class pedestrian wayfinding system - the culmination of years of stakeholder collaboration between the city, state, and local entities. The pdp also coordinated with pittsburgh regional transit and other partners to facilitate around major service changes, including the university line project and bus line redesign plan.