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Release Date: Tuesday, February 8th 2011
PDP Announces Plans for Downtown and Says Farewell to CEO Mike Edwards
EMBARGOED for Release at 9:30 a.m.
Feb. 8, 2011
Contact: Hollie Geitner
(412) 325-0153
(412) 780-6709 – cell
hgeitner@downtownpittsburgh.com
PDP Announces Plans for Downtown and Says Farewell to CEO Mike Edwards
PITTSBURGH, PA — The 2011 Annual Meeting of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP) was held this morning at the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown Hotel. The Center of Growth, the meeting theme, was carried throughout the event, which had a café-like setting complete with umbrella tables and chairs from Market Square and café signs depicting Downtown facts.
The PDP Board and staff also acknowledged Mike Edwards, PDP President and CEO, for his five years of service with the PDP and many significant accomplishments during his tenure. Edwards’ last day will be this Friday as he leaves for a job with the City of Spokane, WA.
“As the PDP celebrates its accomplishments today and looks toward a future of growth for Downtown, I am extremely proud to have been a part of this organization,” said Edwards. “There is much to look forward to in 2011 as evidenced by today’s announcements.”
Market Street Art Installation Inspired by Market Square’s History
Working with the Office of Public Art, the PDP commissioned local artist, Carin Mincemoyer, to create a public art piece to activate Market Street from Fifth Avenue into Market Square. Diamond, Diamonds references the history of Market Square which was known as “The Diamond” when Forbes Avenue was called Diamond Street and it housed The Diamond Market until it was demolished in 1961. The installation will include 80 plexiglass diamonds lit with LEDs. They will form a diamond-shaped “molecule” around the luminaires of the two light poles on Market Street and are expected to be in place this spring.
“The project is an outcome of a Streetscape Study conducted by the PDP and the Community Design Center of Pittsburgh in 2004 to enhance Sixth and Market Streets as the primary pedestrian connection linking the Cultural District, First Side and Market Square,” said Edwards. “Once completed, it will transform what was once a visually unappealing street into a beautiful pathway from Three PNC and Triangle Park into the new Market Square.”
Foundations Fund PDP Five-Year Strategic Plan and State of Downtown Research
Funding from local foundations for project-specific initiatives is critically important to the success of the PDP and Downtown. With a grant from the Pittsburgh Foundation, the PDP will create a new five-year organizational strategic plan that will outline projects and priorities for 2012 – 2016. The PDP is completing the final year of the previous five-year plan which included such accomplishments as car-sharing, Wi-Fi and housing initiatives.
Additionally, with support from the Buhl Foundation and the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), the PDP will create a State of Downtown Report. The report will mirror what other comparable cities (Center City Philadelphia) have done by tracking “vitality indicators” such as number of residents; Downtown events and attendance; number of outdoor cafes/dining locations; commercial and retail square-footage and retail sales per square foot, among others.
“The State of Downtown Report will be an important economic development tool to encourage new private and public investment in Downtown Pittsburgh,” said Patty Burk, Vice President of Economic Development for the PDP. “Not only will it give meaning to important data and trends useful to developers and investors, it will capture other indicators not previously tracked in Downtown.”
Achieve a Super Clean Downtown
A “Super Clean” intensive spring cleaning program is in the works for Downtown. The program will involve the coordination of many partners and be led by the PDP. More details will be available in the coming months.
Stakeholders Give PDP a B+
With the renewal of the BID upcoming, the PDP surveyed its stakeholders late last year to determine satisfaction ratings based on a number of Downtown attributes, including image, cleanliness, safety, panhandling, impact of events and parking. Overall, the PDP’s rating improved from a C+ in 2006 to a B+ with significant improvements shown in cleanliness, image and panhandling. Parking continues to be challenging with the rating dropping to 17% from 21% in 2006.
“The ratings indicate our efforts, combined with those of our partners, are having a positive impact on Downtown and we feel well-positioned to be approved for another five-year term,” said Edwards.
The meeting’s keynote speaker, Holly Maust, Owner of Interactive Swim, engaged attendees in a discussion about social media marketing tactics using examples of Downtown businesses, such as PPG and law firm Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney.
Additional information about the above announcements and specific accomplishments in 2010 are in the PDP Annual Report, Downtown Pittsburgh: The Center of Growth, which can be downloaded at www.DowntownPittsburgh.combeginning Feb. 9. Hard copies are available at the PDP office (925 Liberty Ave., 4th Floor) or by calling 412-566-4190.
The PDP thanks its co-sponsors of the 2011 Annual Meeting and 2010 Annual Report—Leech Tishman Fuscaldo and Lampl and Huntington Bank.
About the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership
The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP) is a dynamic, nonprofit organization comprised of business and community leaders, property owners, civic organizations, foundations and residents who provide energy, vision and advocacy for Downtown Pittsburgh. Working collaboratively with its partners, the PDP strives to create a positive Downtown experience for residents, workers and visitors alike. The PDP’s strategic initiatives include clean and safe services, transportation, housing and economic development and advocacy. For more information, visit www.DowntownPittsburgh.com, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/downtownpittand “like” us on Facebook.
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