Residents share concerns and support for Strip District development plans
PITTSBURGH —
Pittsburgh leaders and residents met Wednesday evening in the Strip District to discuss upcoming development projects, including a recently approved plan for 23 new townhomes near the 31st Street Bridge and other proposals that have sparked mixed reactions.
Mayor Corey O’Connor talked about investing in the Strip District as his administration also invests heavily in Downtown, describing it as both a key neighborhood and a major destination.
“We’re continuing to grow. And the Strip District is one of those neighborhoods that we continue to support because it’s not only an anchor, it’s a destination for millions of people. So the more we can invest, the more people that are living here, you know, now we have to start talking about connectivity in the Strip District, better rail-trail connections, looking at parks and recreation down here a little bit differently than we did in the past,” O’Connor said.
The city’s planning commission approved the 23-townhome project on Tuesday, but residents have expressed varying opinions about the broader development plans for the area. Concerns have been raised, particularly after the city council approved a Transit Revitalization Investment District (TRID) that spans parts of the Strip District, North Shore, and Downtown. The TRID aims to use future property tax revenue growth within the district to fund redevelopment projects.
Ann Dugan, a resident and business owner, said the Strip District has its own needs. She doesn’t approve of the TRID or much other development.
“There’s a lot of infrastructure needs with water, sewage, and roadways in particular. So just putting more on top of that is not going to change what’s happening here already. So let’s not cannibalize or destroy this wonderful neighborhood by overbuilding without thinking,” Dugan said.
Other residents, like Geoff Clauss, expressed disappointment with the design and creativity of some of the new developments.
“Oh, another one’s going up. I already know what it’ll look like. You know, I live by two of them that are just going online now. And I think it’s disappointing. You know, I think there should be more creativity, more imagination,” Clauss said.
One of the most debated proposals is a 14-story condominium building planned for the Helltown Brewing site on Penn Avenue. The project, which was denied last year due to height concerns, is still under review by the city’s planning department.
“I’m not a fan of that kind of proposal,” Clauss said.
O’Connor acknowledged the controversy surrounding the project but refrained from commenting extensively due to its legal status.
“That one’s in court. So we tend not to talk about it if it’s in that situation. But that was brought up. You know, we want to keep, you know, as much of the core of the Strip together as possible,” O’Connor said.
Helltown Brewing is set to close at the end of August, and discussions about the proposed condominium project are ongoing.