Perspectives: May 2025

A message from our President & CEO

A Clean, Safe and Welcoming Downtown for All

As summer settles in, the energy in Downtown Pittsburgh is unmistakable. Patios are full, the Farmers Market is back in PPG Plaza, and more people are choosing Downtown as their destination to gather, work, and explore. Behind the scenes, the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership is advancing the essential work that makes these moments possible: delivering a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for all.

Read the full message

Strategy in Action

Working towards our Strategic Vision is a year-round effort. Here are some of the highlights from this past month.

Core

The Numbers Are in: Redd Up Week

Over 250 volunteers joined us during Redd Up Week this year, totaling some really impressive numbers. A big thank you to everyone who rolled up their sleeves, including city and county officials, and helped us make Downtown shine! And thank you to Comcast Business for supporting this year’s event! 

Your hard work ensures that Downtown is looking its best as we get ready to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors this summer season!

Highlights

• Over 750 lbs of trash collected
• Removed over 300 lbs of weeds
• Cleaned all outdoor dining areas

On-Street Services: Latest Impact Metrics

Our on-street services work around the clock to keep Downtown clean, safe and welcoming. Here are a few highlights from the previous month

• Collected more than 83,000 lbs. of tr ash.
• Removed 186 graffiti tags
• Performed 2,924 acts of hospitality assistance
• Engaged the public with 3,057 interactions
• Supported PDP’s Events team with April events
• Completed prepping the Sixth Street Corridor outdoor dining areas.
• Coordinated with Renewal, Inc. in scheduling power washing and alleyway clean ups.
• Partnered with th e Department of Public Works for post-storm clean up. The Clean Team’s boots-on the-ground impact was effective in cleaning up debris throughout the Golden Triangle. In addition, they reported more significant damages to 311 or law enforcement, and organized larger debris to enable easier pick-up by DPW.

Activation

Picklesburgh’s New Event Footprint is a Pretty Big Dill

To celebrate the anniversary, Picklesburgh has unveiled its most ambitious footprint yet, spanning two of Pittsburgh’s iconic Sister Bridges, Allegheny Landing, Fort Duquesne Boulevard, Sixth Street, Heinz Hall Garden, Market Square, and PPG Plaza. This expanded layout reflects the continued growth of Picklesburgh, which has evolved into an internationally recognized destination event for the region and economic driver for the region. 

Read the full announcement on Picklesburgh.com!

Smithfield Street Welcomes Latest Public Art Installation, Seeks Artists for Permanent Sculptural Lighting Installation

The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP) has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for artists to design a permanent sculptural lighting installation as part of the Smithfield Street Reconstruction Project. Scheduled to begin construction in 2026, this project will expand Smithfield Street’s emerging reputation as a public art corridor.

Over $10 million of public space investment is planned for the revitalization of the Smithfield corridor, which was developed in collaboration with the City of Pittsburgh and Smithfield Street stakeholders. Public art along with other major enhancements, such as new street trees, planters, raised intersections, and wider crosswalks are a priority component of the PDP’s 2025–2028 Strategic Vision.

The RFQ is open to individuals and artist-led teams that have at least one visual artist. Three finalists will receive a $5,000 honorarium to develop conceptual designs. One selected artist will be awarded a $15,000 commission design fee, with an implementation budget of $300,000 for the final installation.

• Deadline to apply: July 21, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
• Virtual Info Session: June 23, 2025 at 5 p.m. EST (RSVP to attend; attendance is not mandatory to apply)
• Learn more & view RFQ: View Full RFQ
• Apply here: https://publicart.slideroom.com

The public art opportunity comes on the heels of the recently installed Smithfield Street installation called Plastisphere: A Sinking Reality, by the artist collective La Vispera. Installed on the Heinz 57 Center façade, the visually stunning work uses recycled plastic to highlight the dangers of single-use plastics and their impact on the ecosystem.

Summer Programming is in full swing!

Farmers Markets, Yoga in the Square, Bingo, Trivia, Paint & Sip…and so much more! The PDP is bringing summer fun to Mellon Square, PPG Plaza, Steel Plaza, and other popular spots in Downtown with daily programming and events.

Here’s what we have planned next.

Transformation

Views & Brews: Downtown Residential Tour Returns on June 12

World-class theaters, historic architecture, and nationally recognized dining destinations only scratch the surface of what Downtown Pittsburgh has to offer. Join us for a tour designed to reveal the best the Golden Triangle has to offer in downtown living, while sampling delicious beers from local breweries along the way. This event is perfect for prospective tenants to rent or buy in Downtown Pittsburgh, fans of craft beer tastings or architectural walking tours, or anyone who is simply ‘nebby’ about real estate!

Learn more and get tickets today!

Welcome to Downtown, Sushi i!

With support from the PDP’s Downtown Rent Abatement Program (DRAP), Sushi i has activated a formerly vacant space at 245 Fourth Avenue, adding another dynamic, independently owned concept to Downtown’s vibrant food scene.

This modern Japanese eatery is serving up a fresh all-you-can-eat dining experience featuring creative rolls, chef’s specials, and other fan favorites—along with a full bar and rooftop(!!) Plus, it’s located just steps away from PPG Plaza and Market Square, making it an ideal spot for lunch, happy hour, or a special night out on the town.

View their menu and learn more

Live Fresh Opens at Fifth Avenue Place

This week, Live Fresh Juicery opened its newest location on the ground floor of Fifth Avenue Place, making it the sixth new business to open in Downtown this year, signaling growing confidence in our downtown market and continued momentum towards recovery.

Live Fresh – a local franchise known for their cold-pressed juices, smoothies, and bowls – offers a healthy, high-quality option for Downtown residents, visitors, and workers during daytime hours when people are grabbing lunch, meeting up friends, or taking a break in their day.

Congratulations to the Live Fresh team, Highmark and the owners of Fifth Avenue Place for their amazing $22M investment in the lobby of Fifth Avenue Place. These investments are inspiring entrepreneurship and additional investments from businesses large and small and we look forward to supporting the progress occurring here in Downtown Pittsburgh.

Check them out the next time you’re in ‘tahn! Visit their website.