Small communities once dependent on coal, coke, paper, lumber, and manufacturing now have a 150-mile bike and pedestrian path contributing to the local economy.
According to a study published this week by Pittsburgh-based consultants Fourth Economy and the Great Allegheny Passage Conservancy, the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) generated over $121 million in economic impact in 2019.
To measure economic impact along the 150-mile pedestrian and bike path that connects Downtown Pittsburgh with Cumberland, Maryland, researchers surveyed 125 owners of trail-facing businesses, 784 GAP users, and 163 residents of trail towns, according to an announcement written by GAP Conservancy Executive Director Bryan Perry.
Bob Batz Jr. also picked up the news of the study for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, including some extra insight and analysis of the study. One key talking point that made it into the article is delivered by Fourth Economy Senior Consultant Mickey McGlasson: "It looks like a scenic trail, but for the communities along the way, that’s an economic highway."
The article by Batz Jr. provides a lot more detail on the effect of the GAP between Pittsburgh and Maryland, including some historical perspective. A previous economic impact study of the GAP "estimated the direct spending by tourists on the then-unfinished trail to total $40.7 million," for example. In 2019, direct spending amounted to $74 million of the $121 million total.
"The new study reflects a continued renaissance along the trail, with nearly 40% of business owners surveyed reporting having founded a new trail-facing business between 2015 and 2019. That’s part of why 93% of survey respondents said the GAP makes their community more vibrant," writes Batz Jr.
And in case you wondering, Batz Jr. also notes that the Great Allegheny Passage has been mentioned as a component of the Great America Rail-Trail that could some day connect Washington State to Washington, D.C.
FULL STORY: Study: Great Allegheny Passage is 'an economic highway' that generated $121 million in 2019
Pittsburgh-to-Cleveland Corridor Would Be Major Addition to National Trail Network
The 220-mile route would connect the two cities and could potentially boost the economies of communities along the stretch.
Pittsburgh Rolls Out Electric School Buses
Pittsburgh Public Schools has launched its first electric school buses, with plans to fully electrify its fleet over the next 14 months, aiming to create a cleaner, more sustainable transportation system supported by new charging infrastructure.
Public and Private Collaboration Advances Park Development in Houston
Houston may be known to some as a concrete jungle, but its greenspaces continue to expand thanks to combined support from the public, private, and philanthropic sectors.
Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?
Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Updating LA’s Tree Rules Could Bring More Shade to Underserved Neighborhoods
A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.
California's Canal Solar Projects Aim to Conserve Resources and Expand Clean Energy
California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.
HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program
The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
City of Moreno Valley
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland