Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership Unveils Strategic Vision for Revitalizing Downtown Pittsburgh

The plan, developed with input from more than 100 Downtown leaders, addresses immediate needs and accelerates Downtown’s growth by leveraging three tiers of focused action.

PITTSBURGH, PA (Jan. 22, 2025) – Today, the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP) is unveiling its 2025-2028 Strategic Vision, titled Strategy in Action. This bold new plan sets a transformative course for Downtown Pittsburgh, reaffirming PDP’s commitment to revitalization through leadership, collaboration, action, and measurable results.

As Downtown’s revitalization master plan announced by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro took shape in 2024, the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP) was developing a complementary three-year strategic framework designed to address immediate needs and accelerate Downtown’s growth by leveraging three tiers of focused action: Core, Activation, and Transformation. Together, these tiers prioritize clean and safe streets, vibrant public spaces, and economic growth, ensuring Downtown remains a dynamic and inclusive hub for residents, workers, and visitors.

“The next chapter of Downtown Pittsburgh’s renaissance is unfolding, and the PDP is not just prepared, but determined, to drive progress with our 2025-2028 strategic vision,” said Jeremy Waldrup, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership. “This strategy leverages our past achievements and introduces forward-thinking solutions to fully realize Downtown’s potential through collaboration, action, and a collective commitment to revitalization.”

Community-Driven Approach

The plan was developed through an extensive community engagement process, involving over 100 stakeholders ranging from developers and corporate leaders to government and nonprofit partners. Waldrup emphasized that while the PDP has been working on the plan for several months, it waited to finalize the plan to ensure a fully collaborative approach and begin to secure the necessary resources to bring the strategy to life.

“A thriving Downtown fuels regional growth and instills pride in our community,” said Shannon Baker, Chair of the PDP Board of Directors. “For nearly three decades, the PDP has been at the forefront of creating impactful change and advancing meaningful progress in Downtown Pittsburgh. This plan highlights PDP’s unwavering dedication to Downtown’s revitalization and investment in the future.”

Strategic Tiers

The 2025-2028 strategic vision outlines three key areas to maximize Downtown’s potential:

1. Core – Ensuring clean, safe, and welcoming public spaces.
2. Activation – Cultivating vibrant, inclusive experiences that draw people Downtown.
3. Transformation – Driving economic growth through advocacy and attracting businesses, investment, and innovation.

Core Tier:

At the heart of PDP’s strategy is a commitment to delivering well-maintained public spaces, providing hospitality to visitors, and offering outreach services to the unhoused, creating a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for all. Core initiatives include:

• Clean Public Realm: Enhance quality of life and create a vibrant Downtown by optimizing clean team staffing, securing sustainable funding, expanding inclusive workforce development opportunities, and innovating services to maintain a clean and welcoming atmosphere.
• Safe & Secure Public Spaces: Foster a sense of security and belonging through strong collaboration with public agencies, optimizing outreach programs, and advancing youth engagement initiatives.

Activation Tier:

The Activation tier focuses on creating vibrant spaces full of art, culture, and community, while activating downtown parks with engaging experiences to foster community, and belonging, including:

• Events & Activations: Produce four major annual festivals, secure sustainable funding, and foster everyday community activities through diverse partnerships and program evaluations.
• Constituent Services: Strengthen member connections, promote local businesses, and collaborate with stakeholders to strengthen Downtown through regular engagement and feedback.
• Streets & Transportation: Implement Downtown Mobility Plan priorities, encourage non-SOV commuting, and develop clear communication, outreach, and maintenance strategies.
• Public Realm: Oversee the redesign of key spaces like Market Square and Gateway Medians, integrate public art and greenery to reduce blight, and ensure pedestrian-focused streetscapes that support retail and outdoor dining and accessible, beautiful public areas.

Transformation Tier:

The Transformation tier focuses on accelerating Downtown Pittsburgh’s economic growth by leading data-driven advocacy and collaborative stakeholder engagement to promote a vibrant, economically diverse, and resilient neighborhood. Key elements include:

• Diverse & Resilient Neighborhood: Promote office-to-residential conversions, build a commercial tenant engagement strategy to encourage lease renewals, recruit non-traditional office users, and implement a retail strategy to activate vacant storefronts with diverse offerings to foster economic stability and variety.
• Stakeholder Collaboration & Collective Action: Convene stakeholders for cohesive advocacy, develop a policy agenda that supports Downtown growth and vibrancy, and establish PDP as a thought leader through data-driven strategies.

These priorities form the backbone of a bold vision that blends immediate action with long-term transformation. To read the full strategic vision, visit DowntownPittsburgh.com/StrategicVision