Downtown Community Celebrates One Year of Progress, Market Square Modernization Milestone with Ceremonial Beam Signing

Downtown stakeholders and community members leave mark on new anchor pavilion, symbolizing collective effort and transformative progress

PITTSBURGH (October 29, 2025) – One year ago, Governor Josh Shapiro stood at the future site of Arts Landing to announce a historic $600 million revitalization plan for Downtown Pittsburgh – a bold initiative to create more housing, enhance public spaces, and strengthen safety, human services and cleanliness. Today, state and local leaders, project partners and community members gathered in Market Square to mark one year of progress and Market Square’s halfway point of construction.

Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership CEO Jeremy Waldrup, Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, State DCED Secretary Rick Siger, and other regional leaders delivered remarks and signed a steel column of the new pavilion structure, a central feature of the renovated Square, before the beam is enclosed.

“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 visitors to the Square each year.”

Designed by Field Operations with Pittsburgh-based collaborators and construction team Mascaro, the $15 million Market Square modernization remains on schedule and on budget. Market Square’s update is one of the key components of the broader revitalization of Downtown. Arts Landing, a new $31 million civic space envisioned by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, will feature a new stage, lawn, family play area, and more in the Cultural District. Point State Park is undergoing $3.4 million in upgrades to sidewalks, hardscape and the iconic fountain at the point is getting new lighting and undergoing repairs.

In addition to the public realm projects, several mixed-use and residential conversion projects are underway to preserve or create more than 1,000 units of housing downtown. Downtown residential and mixed-use projects are receiving over $100 million in state, county and city investments.

“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.

“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.”

Market Square Milestone – North Side Completion Expected By November 10

Construction on the north side of Market Square is nearing completion. Crews will transition to the south side beginning Monday, November 3, with the changeover and full shift of vehicle traffic expected to be complete by Monday, November 10.

The completed north side of Market Square offers the first look at the project’s new shared streetscape, blending sidewalks and roadways into a single, curb-less surface designed to prioritize pedestrians and slow vehicle traffic. The space features new furnishings, expanded tree pits with plantings, precast pavers with granite curbs and terrazzo, carefully matched to the original materials and detailing, to celebrate the Square’s legacy.

Infrastructure upgrades beneath the surface include upgraded electrical and water systems, new stormwater management features, enhanced irrigation to support the Square’s expanding tree canopy and plantings, and improved lighting creating a welcoming and safe evening experience. The anchor pavilion, a steel-and-glass structure inspired by the historic market stalls that once defined the Square, continues to take shape, with structural caissons and foundational elements complete.

Enhancing the Experience

The updated Market Square will also feature new outdoor dining furniture, planters, awnings and umbrellas that will evoke a European-style piazza, significantly expanding the amount of outdoor dining around the Square.Merchant and property owners are working with the PDP and local architecture firm LGA to design outdoor dining spaces that allow each restaurant to express a unique feel while still having a common design thread that weaves amongst them all and enhances the brand and atmosphere of the Square.  Ensuring Market Square continues to be one of the region’s premier dining destinations. 

Merchant Support and Community Engagement

Since construction began, the PDP has provided a two-part assistance package to help Market Square businesses navigate the temporary disruption. This includes financial grants and marketing and promotional initiatives. To date, 28 grants have been given to merchants affected by the loss of event-related revenue through the Event Loss Mitigation Program. These efforts have helped sustain foot traffic, boost visibility and maintain a sense of connection to the transformation.

Looking Ahead

When complete in April 2026, the reimagined Market Square will feature improved lighting, expanded greenery, more flexible event spaces, and the new pavilion designed for markets, performances, and community gatherings. The project exemplifies the power of public-private collaboration and marks a defining investment in Downtown Pittsburgh’s future.

Funding for the modernization of Market Square is generously provided by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, BNY, Buchanan Ingersoll Rooney, Dollar Bank, Federated

Hermes, Highmark, K&L Gates, Pitt Ohio, PNC, PPG, Reed Smith and the Jewish Healthcare Foundation, with additional support from the Benter Foundation, Colcom Foundation and the Eden Hall Foundation.

For more information on the Market Square Modernization, visit DowntownPittsburgh.com/MarketSquareUpdates.