MAYOR ANNOUNCES RECONSTRUCTION OF MARKET SQUARE TO BEGIN MONDAY
Historic City Center gathering space receiving upgrade
Date: August 14, 2009
Contact: Megan Stearman, URA
412-255-6576
mstearman@ura.org
(PITTSBURGH) August 17, 2009 Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, in cooperation with the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP) today announced that the reconstruction of Market Square has begun.
The City of Pittsburgh Department of City Planning, the URA, and PDP combined forces to design and reconstruct the historic Downtown gathering space at Forbes Avenue and Market Street to serve as a more pedestrian friendly space with a focus on outdoor dining.
“Market Square is the heart of our city,” Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said. “Investing in this historic asset to create an exceptional public space is critical to the continued revitalization of our City Center. I ask that the public be patient as we work as hard and as fast as we can to make the Square an even better destination for residents, visitors, and families.”
Reconstruction of the square has been expedited in order to meet a summer 2010 completion, and therefore construction plans have changed slightly from previous reports. When construction commences today, the interior of the Square will be closed to pedestrians and vehicles.
There will be a pedestrian walkway along the entire perimeter that will be separated from the construction by fencing. This will allow pedestrians full access into businesses around the Square. Vehicular traffic will be restricted to passing down one side of the Square and less parking will be available during construction.
Information on nearby parking options is available at http://www.downtownpittsburgh.com/parking. Downtown commuters are urged to plan accordingly.
Additionally, the weekly Farmer’s Market held in the square will be relocated to Gateway Plaza (between Gateway Two and The Hilton where the Three Rivers Arts Festival Artists Market happens). Market dwellers can continue to shop from local farmers and vendors from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursdays starting Thursday, August 20, 2009 through December.
“Businesses in Market Square will remain open and accessible, and we encourage everyone to support them during this construction period,” Mike Edwards, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP) said. “The PDP will provide weekly updates about the construction project using a blog, Twitter and Facebook and will offer assistance to merchants throughout the next several months to ensure their success now and when the square is reopened next year.”
Improvements include new street construction, functional and aesthetic lighting, grading, drainage, landscaping, irrigation, sidewalk extensions, and utility work on electric, gas, water lines, sanitary sewers, and storm sewers. When the Square is completed, vehicular traffic entering the square from Forbes Avenue or Market Street will be able to proceed around the center space as the four center islands will be combined into one large, pedestrian-only center island. The lanes that cross through the center island will, however, will remain traffic rated so that they may be used in cases of emergency.
Brick sidewalks will be extended allowing for expanded café seating around the square. The elevation of the entire plaza will be brought to one level, eliminating curbs throughout the square and creating a “piazza” from building façade to building façade, with vehicular circulation routes designated by a change in paving material.
“It is exciting to see all of the progress happening in the City of Pittsburgh,” Rick Faust, Manager, The Original Oyster House said. “Although the construction in Market Square may negatively impact businesses during renovation, we remain optimistic that the group effort to improve the square will have a very positive effect in the future.”
Market Square is a $5 million reconstruction project with engineering and design work completed by Wilbur Smith Associates, and Klavon Design Associates respectively. Construction will be done by A. Merante Contracting, Inc.
Design renderings and plans for Market Square can be viewed at www.downtownpittsburgh.com.
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