Nearly 100 Black-owned businesses might set up at Allegheny Commons Park when the NFL Draft kicks off on the North Shore.”This gives us an opportunity to be close to the city and close to the residents on the north side, and also we’ll have some parking over here,” William Marshall, the promoter for the Juneteenth Festival, said to Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 on Monday. “It will be easier to get over here from Route 28 or coming from the Strip District.” Allegheny Commons Park is a 20-minute walk from the NFL Draft theater location and is the site of the North Side Music Festival. Marshall said attorneys representing Black-owned businesses met with Mayor Corey O’Connor last week. Attorneys said they were told that Homeland Security blocked their attempt to set up on Liberty Avenue near the second draft location at Point State Park. Marshall said Allegheny Commons Park was suggested as an alternative location; no permit has been issued yet. “There are a lot of things involved in putting on this type of event. The vendors have to get a permit from the Allegheny County health department. I have to try to get port-a-johns, a stage, entertainment, things of that nature, and we need action immediately,” Marshall said. Mayor Corey O’Connor was not available on Monday to give an update on the permit or whether one will be issued.Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.

PITTSBURGH —

Nearly 100 Black-owned businesses might set up at Allegheny Commons Park when the NFL Draft kicks off on the North Shore.

“This gives us an opportunity to be close to the city and close to the residents on the north side, and also we’ll have some parking over here,” William Marshall, the promoter for the Juneteenth Festival, said to Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 on Monday. “It will be easier to get over here from Route 28 or coming from the Strip District.”

Allegheny Commons Park is a 20-minute walk from the NFL Draft theater location and is the site of the North Side Music Festival.

Marshall said attorneys representing Black-owned businesses met with Mayor Corey O’Connor last week. Attorneys said they were told that Homeland Security blocked their attempt to set up on Liberty Avenue near the second draft location at Point State Park.

Marshall said Allegheny Commons Park was suggested as an alternative location; no permit has been issued yet.

“There are a lot of things involved in putting on this type of event. The vendors have to get a permit from the Allegheny County health department. I have to try to get port-a-johns, a stage, entertainment, things of that nature, and we need action immediately,” Marshall said.

Mayor Corey O’Connor was not available on Monday to give an update on the permit or whether one will be issued.

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