Downtown Developments

If you didn't see Sunday's Post Gazette - click here.
The cover of the Region section was headlined - "Downtown is Humming". The article was a quick graphic look at the proposed developments downtown.

Here is what I found interesting ( and promising ) about the list of coming projects:

• The number and quality of residential units suggests a relatively strong market for urban living.
• Pittsburgh Universities are playing a large role in populating downtown.
• There is a healthy mix of rental units and condominium projects.
• Pittsburgh's Cultural District continues to be a national success story. This once blighted red-light district has become one of the nation's premier cultural destinations. The August Wilson Center for African American Culture will be a welcome modern addition in the heart of the district.

Overall, I am encouraged by the "scattered" nature of the developments. There is no citywide "master plan" that is dictating the timing or placement of these developments- only the market. There is certainly a role for URA and City Planning to play in Downtown's revitalization, but it is not the role of "Master Planner". So far, the mix of Downtown developers have taken their roles as stewards of Pittsburgh's central core very seriously- nearly all of the developments are appropriate for the city and market driven. City government should resist the urge to act as master developer and focus on reducing the barriers that residents and business owners face when considering downtown as their home.

To date, Downtown development seems to be progressing organically which is how city's are supposed to develop.

photo courtesy of The Post Gazette and The Pittsburgh Regional Alliance