University of Pittsburgh makes $5M investment in Steel City for parks, safety and more
Updated: 5:13 PM EDT Mar 30, 2026
The University of Pittsburgh has announced a big investment in the Steel City. Pitt will be making a $5 million investment that will be used over five years to support parks, small businesses through the Main and Main neighborhood program, and public safety. “Since our founding 239 years ago, the success of the City of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh has been intertwined,” said Chancellor Joan Gabel. “As the city’s anchor institution, Pitt has been steadfast over many decades, and we are proud of our active partnerships with nonprofit organizations, community initiatives and governmental collaborations.”The university says the three areas were chosen because they align with Mayor Corey O’Connor’s vision for the city and the university’s “Plan for Pitt 2028.” Under this plan, an investment of $1 million will be made each year for the next 5 years.“We looked at it this way. The city of Pittsburgh, when it’s strong, Pitt is strong. When Pitt is strong, you know, the city is strong, and the overlap between the public safety entities of Pitt and the city are really second to none. And that coordination is key every day to make sure not just to the residents of Oakland, and the residents of Pittsburgh are safe, but really students, faculty and staff,” Kevin Washo, Pitt’s senior vice chancellor for external relations, said.Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor emphasized the importance of investing in the city’s initiatives.”We also want this to go to things that are going to benefit the public, not just our coffers, but ‘Main Streets,’ something that impacts everybody, including Pitt students, parks,” O’Connor said. “We know a lot of the students use those as well. And then obviously, public safety. You know, we know that students call there often, and we have a great partnership with the university already on those things. This just builds off of it and allows us to improve all of those things.”In a statement, City Controller Rachael Heisler said in part, “While the City works to address our fiscal problems and secure lasting, long-term solutions to grow revenue, it is encouraging to see our large employers stepping up to invest in the priorities that we all share.”Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 reporter Carlos Flores was there when Pittsburgh’s mayor announced the Main and Main initiative. The initiative aims to help revitalize Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods by focusing on their business districts and meeting neighborhoods where they are.Main and Main will support business districts across the city. This could be achieved through several ways, such as business loans, housing development incentives and zoning reform.”We have to grow Pittsburgh. But we have to do it, that, in a way that blends with the existing community, and that they have a voice and that they’re part of it. But it’s not just building bricks and mortar — it’s anywhere from lighting, from facades, from small-business loans, things that we can provide so that we can invest again in our small-business districts,” O’Connor said.Officials said Pitt’s contribution will also support O’Connor’s public safety agenda and “will be directed toward areas the administration determines will make the most meaningful difference. ”
PITTSBURGH —
The University of Pittsburgh has announced a big investment in the Steel City.
Pitt will be making a $5 million investment that will be used over five years to support parks, small businesses through the Main and Main neighborhood program, and public safety.
“Since our founding 239 years ago, the success of the City of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh has been intertwined,” said Chancellor Joan Gabel. “As the city’s anchor institution, Pitt has been steadfast over many decades, and we are proud of our active partnerships with nonprofit organizations, community initiatives and governmental collaborations.”
The university says the three areas were chosen because they align with Mayor Corey O’Connor’s vision for the city and the university’s “Plan for Pitt 2028.”
Under this plan, an investment of $1 million will be made each year for the next 5 years.
“We looked at it this way. The city of Pittsburgh, when it’s strong, Pitt is strong. When Pitt is strong, you know, the city is strong, and the overlap between the public safety entities of Pitt and the city are really second to none. And that coordination is key every day to make sure not just to the residents of Oakland, and the residents of Pittsburgh are safe, but really students, faculty and staff,” Kevin Washo, Pitt’s senior vice chancellor for external relations, said.
Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor emphasized the importance of investing in the city’s initiatives.
“We also want this to go to things that are going to benefit the public, not just our coffers, but ‘Main Streets,’ something that impacts everybody, including Pitt students, parks,” O’Connor said. “We know a lot of the students use those as well. And then obviously, public safety. You know, we know that students call there often, and we have a great partnership with the university already on those things. This just builds off of it and allows us to improve all of those things.”
In a statement, City Controller Rachael Heisler said in part, “While the City works to address our fiscal problems and secure lasting, long-term solutions to grow revenue, it is encouraging to see our large employers stepping up to invest in the priorities that we all share.”
Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 reporter Carlos Flores was there when Pittsburgh’s mayor announced the Main and Main initiative.
The initiative aims to help revitalize Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods by focusing on their business districts and meeting neighborhoods where they are.
Main and Main will support business districts across the city. This could be achieved through several ways, such as business loans, housing development incentives and zoning reform.
“We have to grow Pittsburgh. But we have to do it, that, in a way that blends with the existing community, and that they have a voice and that they’re part of it. But it’s not just building bricks and mortar — it’s anywhere from lighting, from facades, from small-business loans, things that we can provide so that we can invest again in our small-business districts,” O’Connor said.
Officials said Pitt’s contribution will also support O’Connor’s public safety agenda and “will be directed toward areas the administration determines will make the most meaningful difference. ”