State of Downtown Pittsburgh

2021 State of Downtown Pittsburgh:
Reforge Edition Virtual Conference

Hosted on May 11 and 12, 2021

Join us virtually for a series of important discussions as we envision the future of Downtown Pittsburgh and review the impact of an unprecedented year from the just-released 2021 State of Downtown Pittsburgh Report.

Join the conversation:
#SODP21 in the news

Pittsburgh Prepares To Welcome More Visitors As Restrictions Lift (KDKA)

Inside the partnership that is making downtown Pittsburgh safer (Pittsburgh Business Times)

Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership releases longterm mobility plan for Downtown (Pittsburgh City Paper)

Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership opens Downtown Mobility Plan for public comment (Pittsburgh Business Times)

Welcoming Visitors Back to Downtown
Wednesday, May 12 at 8:30 a.m.

What are the realities and challenges of bringing events and people back to Downtown and how are Downtown events adapting for 2021 and beyond? Hear from  Pittsburgh’s arts, entertainment, and hospitality leaders to learn how they are preparing to welcome visitors back to Downtown.

Moderated by Jerad Bachar, President and CEO, VisitPITTSBURGH

Panelists:

• Sarah Aziz, Director, Festival Management, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
• Marya Sea Kaminski, Artistic Director, Pittsburgh Public Theater
• Tim Muldoon, General Manager at David L Lawrence Convention Center, ASM Global
• David Sher, General Manager, Fairmont Pittsburgh Hotel

Public Safety and Vulnerable Populations
Wednesday, May 12 at 10 a.m.

Learn about what kinds of innovations and new ideas are happening across multi-sector Pittsburgh organizations to support public safety and provide resources for vulnerable populations.

Opening remarks by Wendell D. Hissrich, Director of the Department of Public Safety and Chief Scott E. Schubert, City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police

Project overview of Second Avenue Commons by Linda Metropulos, President, Metropulos Development LLC and Board Chair of Second Avenue Commons 

Moderated by Laura Drogowski, City of Pittsburgh’s Office of Community Health & Safety

Panelists:

• Dan Palka, Administrative Director, Program for Homeless and Urban Poverty Medicine, Center for Inclusion Health, Allegheny Health Network
• Jenn Batterton, Manager of Special Initiatives, Allegheny County Department of Human Services
• Matthew Lackner, Lieutenant, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Zone 2

Digging into Downtown Development
Wednesday, May 12 at 12 p.m.

What is happening in Greater Downtown through a development lens? Hear from leaders in Pittsburgh who are creating the ‘next big project’ to further transform Pittsburgh’s urban core. This session will feature a series of individual project presentations.

Opening session remarks by Marty LaMar, Chief Economic Development Officer, City of Pittsburgh

Heinz Hall Renovations, Melia Tourangeau, President and CEO, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

The Industrialist Hotel Pittsburgh, Kelly Giger, Director of Sales and Marketing, Industrialist Hotel Pittsburgh

City Club Apartments, Jonathan Holtzman, Founder, Chairman and CEO, City Club Apartments

Duquesne University College of Osteopathic Medicine, William Generett Jr., Esq., Senior Vice President for Civic Engagement and External Relations, Duquesne University

Carnegie Library Downtown Branch Renovation, Mary Frances Cooper, President and Director, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

Smith & Fifth, Steve Coven, Vice President of Asset Management, Stark Enterprises

Kaufmann’s Grand on Fifth, Leonard Klehr, Vice Chairman, Lubert-Adler Real Estate Funds

Lower Hill Redevelopment Plan, Kevin Acklin, Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel, Pittsburgh Penguins

1501 Penn Avenue, J. Matthew Cassin, Founding and Managing Principal, Acram Group & Christopher Deppoliti, Managing Director, Acram Group

Completing the Loop, A Movement to Complete and Enhance Pittsburgh’s Riverfronts, Matt Galluzzo, President and CEO, Riverlife

Future of Commercial Office Space
Tuesday, May 11 at 8:30 a.m.

The pandemic caused Downtown’s leasing and sales activity to slow as many employees transitioned to remote work. Companies have been forced to re-evaluate their real estate needs to accommodate workforce safety and landlords have been pressured to make concessions to remain competitive in the market. What lies ahead for the commercial office sector and how is Downtown positioned to rebound post-pandemic?

Introduction by Lucas Piatt, President and Chief Operating Officer, Millcraft Investments and Chairperson, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership

Opening remarks by County Executive Rich Fitzgerald

Moderated by Mark Anthony Thomas, President, Pittsburgh Regional Alliance

Panelists:

• Gregg Broujos, Regional Principal | Investment Services, Colliers International
• Dana Garcia, Vice President of Corporate Real Estate, Highmark Health
• Carrie S. Holstead, President & CEO, Carrie S. Holstead Real Estate Consultants, Inc. / ITRA Global
• Andrea Korade, Architecture & Design Sales Manager, Knoll, Inc
• Jason Stewart, Managing Director, JLL

Future of Retail & Restaurants
Tuesday, May 11 at 10 a.m.

The pandemic completely changed how retailers and restaurateurs needed to operate over the past year in order to survive. Downtown’s shopping and dining scene are what create a vibrant street life experience in the urban core. Learn about what lies ahead for the retail and restaurant industry and what lessons learned from the pandemic will be here to stay to sustain and even grow these sectors moving forward.

Moderated by Herky Pollock, Executive Vice President & Northeast Director Retailer Services Group, CBRE, Inc.

Panelists:

• Lisa Slesinger, Owner, Larrimor’s
• Dana Telsey, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Research Officer, Telsey Advisory Group
• Larisa Ortiz, Managing Director of Public and Non-Profit Solutions, Streetsense
• Tolga Sevdik, Co-owner and Chief Operating Officer, Richard DeShantz Restaurant Group
• Kevin Acklin, Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel, Pittsburgh Penguins

Future of Downtown Mobility
Tuesday, May 11 at 12 p.m.

This session will launch the Downtown Mobility Plan and share details on priorities and projects that will shape the future of transportation and public realm investments in Downtown for the next decade and beyond.

Moderated by Chris Watts, Vice President of Mobility, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership

Panelists:

• Andrew Dash, Director, City of Pittsburgh’s Department of City Planning
• David Huffaker, Chief Development Officer, Port Authority of Allegheny County
• Karina Ricks, Director, City of Pittsburgh’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI)
• Jeremy Waldrup, President and CEO, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership
• Andy Waple, Director, Transportation Planning, Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission