With an approaching mayoral transition, Mark Belko looks at what Pittsburgh's next leader will need to focus on to keep downtown's rejuvenation rolling. Should building more parking be at the top of the list?
A surging office market and residential boom are signs of downtown Pittsburgh's remarkable renaissance over the last decade. But the work is not done, says Belko, who lays out some of the challenges facing the city's next mayor.
"While the Golden Triangle no doubt is in midst of a transformation, property owners, merchants and others say there is still plenty of work to do -- from creating more parking to developing more specialized retail that appeals to suburbanites and Downtown residents alike," he notes.
"There will be other issues on the new mayor's plate as well after January's swearing-in. Should tax increment financing or other public incentives be used to help put in roads and utilities at the former Civic Arena site? What can be done to encourage office development, particularly with Class A vacancy rates at a nearly 30-year low?"
"For many, one of the biggest issues has nothing to do with swanky restaurants, trendy retailers or shiny new office buildings but a far more basic amenity -- parking."
FULL STORY: Next Pittsburgh mayor has plenty left to do Downtown
No End in Sight for Pittsburgh's Downtown Rental Boom
Lackluster sales in Pittsburgh's luxury condominium market haven't dissuaded developers from betting on the continued demand for residences in the city's downtown. A 95 percent occupancy rate in rental buildings is driving apartment construction.
Businesses Oppose Conversion of Parking Structure Into Affordable Housing
Business owners in downtown Santa Monica have filed a lawsuit opposing the city's planned replacement of a parking structure with housing, despite city studies showing that the city's downtown parking supply far exceeds demand.
Editorial: Pittsburgh Fails to Provide Adequate Parking Around Downtown
New development coming to Downtown Pittsburgh lacks sufficient parking, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.
Montreal’s Gorilla Park Repurposes Defunct Railway Track
The park is part of a global movement to build public spaces that connect neighbors and work with local elements to serve as key parts of a city’s green infrastructure.
Art in Action: USC Event Calls for an Urgent Green Energy Transition
The El Respiro / Respire event at USC uses a large-scale human geochoreography to demand an urgent and equitable transition to green energy, blending art, activism, and community engagement to amplify the message of climate justice.
Safe Parking Programs Help People Access Housing
The safety and stability offered by Safe Parking sites have helped 40 percent of unhoused San Diego residents who accessed these programs get into permanent housing.
Study: Single-Staircase Buildings Pose No Additional Risks
Zoning codes have long prohibited single-stair residential buildings due to safety concerns, but changing that could lower the cost of construction and allow for more flexible housing designs.
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.
North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA)
Economic & Planning Systems, Inc.
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research