Crown Castle Developers Forum Recap

By Layla Joseph

The 2023 Crown Castle Developers Forum was held last Tuesday at Point Park University, allowing community members to speak with Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and Allegheny Conference CEO Stefani Pashman. 

The hour-long panel discussion was organized by Downtown Neighbors Alliance (DNA) and sponsored by Crown Castle to provide guests with an unprecedented perspective and conversation surrounding this year's theme, "The State of Downtown."

The three panelists answered questions, led by DNA's Executive Director John Valentine, regarding the current and future state of Downtown post-pandemic. 

Mr. Fitzgerald noted that collaborative meetings like Tuesday’s forum are impactful and important for Pittsburghers to come together as the heart of the region. 

“It is going to take all of us working together to make sure people feel good about coming to Downtown Pittsburgh,” he said. “We have some work to do, but I know we can do it.”

A question directed at Ms. Pashman opened the floor as she elaborated on a recently announced financial commitment Allegheny Conference made to the betterment of Downtown. Entering its 80th year, Ms. Pashman said that Allegheny Conference acts to fill necessary gaps and amplify work already being done.

She also stated that standing by that principle, Allegheny Conference has developed a four-prong, $2 million investment to strengthen the urban core in the region. This investment will go towards the beautification of Downtown, doubling capacity for clean and safe teams, seven-day programming in Mellon and Market Square and the Pittsburgh Potty pilot. 

Investments like that of Allegheny Conference allow aspects of the city to improve, but Mayor Gainey said real change starts with perception. 

"If we want to change perception, it doesn't take an entity; it takes people. When people speak positively about the place they call home, other people get involved," he said. 

"Together, we can change the image of the city, but we can't do it by pointing fingers coming out of a pandemic or making a mockery about people who cannot speak for themselves. We, the city, are one. And we must represent it that way to get a positive perception."

Compared to other downtowns in large cities across the nation, Valentine said that Pittsburgh is the safest one. According to Valentine, Downtown Pittsburgh has had four shootings in 2023, compared to cities like Milwaukee, Wis., which have a similar population but five shootings just last weekend. 

Allegheny Conference recently launched IndexPGH.com, a communication tool that allows Pittsburghers to share the city's story through facts and data. This website promotes transparency in the revitalization of the city. 

Mayor Gainey said that changing the state of Downtown is not a miracle and will not happen overnight, but acknowledged the way his office has been striving to improve the quality of life in the Golden Triangle with increased police presence, cleanliness and an ambassador program. 

"We will continue to improve downtown because it is the living room of our city," he said. "As long as we continue to work together, we will get there." 

"I believe in the city," he continued. "That's why (businesses) should stay. We haven't been out of the pandemic for three years, and tourism is taking off in the city. People may not be returning to work, but they are returning to be entertained."

Valentine added to the conversation, relaying that while five establishments have closed or moved out of Downtown this year, 39 businesses have opened or plan to open soon. 

All three panelists agreed that more diversity would benefit Downtown as a community and a market. Ms. Pashman said that the city's growth should be done through an inclusive lens, and Mr. Fitzgerald attributed the advance in diversity to Downtown's 3% unemployment rate. 

“The last census showed we are becoming more diverse,” Mr. Fitzgerald said. “We’ve increased our young population over the last 10 years by 20% while the nation grew by 11%. We’ve seen our Latin American and Asian American population grow by almost 80%.”

“It’s a much different region, county and city than the city I grew up in,” he continued.

Mayor Gainey said that growing diversity strengthens a city's portfolio and leads to more investments and funding due to different demographics taking an interest in calling the city home. 

"Diversity is international: it's an interest, not an issue," he said. "Everybody from a diverse background wants to see themselves reflected in the city they call home. We need to be intentional about growing diversity in this city, just like we did at the mayor's office."

In closing remarks, County Executive Fitzgerald recognized the crowd and attributed the large turnout to people being interested and passionate about Downtown Pittsburgh. Mayor Gainey and Ms. Pashman expressed their appreciation for those in attendance, recognizing the benefits of open dialogue. 

"Be thankful for the problems we have," Mayor Gainey said in his closing remarks. "Be thankful for the problems we have because a person that doesn't have a problem doesn't have a promise of a better tomorrow."