Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro stopped in Pittsburgh Friday to tout “significant progress” in a multi-pronged effort to improve the Golden Triangle.
Nearly a year ago, Shapiro announced the state would invest $62 million as part of a 10-year, $600 million plan to revitalize Downtown through housing conversion projects, improvements to public spaces, and investments in police and public safety.
As a result, Shapiro said during a North Shore press conference, “Crime is down in downtown Pittsburgh. Opportunity is up in downtown Pittsburgh. We are delivering a cleaner, safer, and more prosperous downtown for all.”
State funds have since paid for violence prevention and mental health supports, an increased police presence Downtown, and the clean-up of more than 3 million square feet of sidewalks.
Officials also touted a 30% decrease in homicides in the city. Pittsburgh’s homicide rate has dropped to the lowest it’s been in the past eight years.
Shapiro was joined by Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, other elected officials and local business leaders in the shadow of a giant yellow countdown clock that marks the time until the 2026 NFL Draft comes to the city.
Those officials were uniformly optimistic about the improvements made so far.
Allegheny County has “made massive strides” in the effort to get homeless people into longer-term shelter, said Innamorato. The number of tents Downtown and on city trails has dropped 93% since last summer, she added.
At the peak, there were up to 150 tents Downtown and along the riverfronts said county Director of Human Services Erin Dalton. Today, “there’s nearly none.”
The county’s 500 in 500 initiative has helped move people out of homeless shelters and into affordable, stable housing, Dalton said. That creates “flow” through the shelter system and frees up beds. When tents do pop up, the open shelter beds can then be offered to people who would otherwise live on the street.
The effort “[shows] that this city can both be safe and compassionate, can move in the right direction,” said Gainey.
Investments made as part of the Downtown revitalization program include seven projects that will convert unused office space into mixed-use buildings with market rate and affordable housing. Public spaces will also see big changes: a reimagined Market Square and upgraded Point State Park are in the works, as is Arts Landing, a new four-acre park overlooking the Allegheny River.
Though many of the projects are slated to be completed before the NFL Draft next April, Shapiro said officials hope Downtown will continue to improve long past high-profile events.
“We don’t want it to be just in tip-top shape for a few days,” he said. “We want the standard of excellence we set for the NFL Draft to live on.”
