PITTSBURGH \u2014 There are a little over 49 daysuntil the NFL Draft, and Pittsburgh is preparing to welcome the world.\t<\/p>\n
RELATED COVERAGE >>> The NFL Draft is approaching in Pittsburgh. Here\u2019s what we know about the campus so far<\/a><\/p>\n To make sure everything runs smoothly, the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership met on Thursday to talk about a strategy.<\/p>\n RELATED COVERAGE >>> Fan registration opens for NFL Draft in Pittsburgh<\/a><\/p>\n This meeting not only highlighted all of the positive changes in the city in preparation for the NFL Draft, but also talked about what we could see in the future, like roller skating in Market Square.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we talk about the draft and being on national TV, it\u2019s the people who come to Pittsburgh. Our goal is to take care of the details and put pride back in our communities,\u201d Mayor Corey O\u2019Connor.<\/p>\n O\u2019Connor spoke to a room full of fellow Pittsburgh leaders at the annual Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership meeting.<\/p>\n They all agree that their goal is to transform Downtown Pittsburgh into a mixed-use neighborhood.<\/p>\n A big focus right now is Market Square, which has been under construction for months.<\/p>\n PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Downtown Pittsburgh\u2019s Market Square to receive upgrades as part of $600M investment<\/a><\/p>\n For the first time, we heard the agency\u2019s plan to put in a roller-skating rink, plus more outdoor dining, and use Market Square as a true event space.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of momentum. We are filling spaces for startups for pop-ups throughout downtown. We have to make it feel more vibrant,\u201d O\u2019Connor.<\/p>\n There have been several updates downtown already, with a deadline of being completed before the NFL Draft.<\/p>\n There\u2019s a brand new space called Arts Landing, which is expected to be finished before the draft<\/p>\n PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Pittsburgh Cultural Trust creating new space for art, activities in Downtown Pittsburgh<\/a><\/p>\n Plus, Point State Park has had $3.4 million in upgrades, including fixing leaks and improving the lighting at the fountain.<\/p>\n PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Shapiro administration completes initial upgrades at Point State Park ahead of NFL Draft<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe draft is here in a couple of weeks; we don\u2019t have to be anything but Pittsburgh,\u201d O\u2019Connor said. \u201cThe more we welcome people, the more people are going to come downtown and support businesses and grow companies.\u201c<\/p>\n Leaders also talked about increasing living downtown with a goal of getting more than 15,000 people to move there. <\/p>\n Download the FREE WPXI News app<\/a> for breaking news alerts.<\/p>\n Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook<\/a> and Twitter<\/a>. | Watch WPXI NOW<\/a><\/p>\n TOP STORIES FROM CHANNEL 11 NEWS <\/p>\n \u00a92026 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n