Goodyear Torn Down to Make Way for Major Changes in the City
Written by Christine Julia Dingzon
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s plans to transform Eighth Street will mark the end of an era for a longtime fixture, the Goodyear Auto Service store at 800 Fort Duquesne Boulevard. The store, a staple of the downtown area, will be demolished once Goodyear vacates the premises in March, when its long-term lease officially ends. The Cultural Trust acquired the property in 1997 with an eye toward future development, and now, the time has come to reimagine the space as part of a larger revitalization initiative.
The Eighth Street makeover is a significant component of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s $30 million plan to breathe new life into Downtown. The plan features a large open green lawn designed to host festivals, performances and community gatherings, along with an outdoor bandshell and a dedicated children’s play area. These elements will create a welcoming venue for families and visitors to enjoy a variety of events and activities year-round. Cultural Trust President and CEO Kendra Whitlock Ingram stated that these plans aim to create “new, inclusive, welcoming spaces” that will be free for public enjoyment or available for groups to reserve for events.
This redevelopment effort aligns with a broader $600 million Downtown revitalization project, announced by Governor Josh Shapiro and supported by Mayor Ed Gainey, to boost the city’s economic and cultural landscape. So far, the state has committed $15 million toward the Cultural Trust’s project and the renovation of Market Square, with additional contributions from local and private foundations, as well as corporate sponsors.
The Cultural Trust’s plans go beyond the Eighth Street block. They include upgrades to sidewalks along Penn Avenue and Fort Duquesne Boulevard. These improvements will include better lighting, landscaping, signage, and even new furnishings to create a more inviting and accessible city environment.
One of the top priorities for the Cultural Trust, as stated by Ingram, is to establish a public green space in the middle of the Cultural District, one that could host annual events such as the Three Rivers Arts Festival.
The Cultural Trust is pushing to complete the improvements in time for the NFL draft in the Spring of 2026, a major event that will draw national attention to the city.
Alongside the Eighth Street transformation, the broader downtown revitalization plan includes the preservation of seven buildings for residential use, investments to boost local businesses, upgrades to Point State Park, and enhancing public safety. Additionally, the plan calls for increasing the number of police officers in the area, expanding mental health and addiction support programs, and cleaning up the city’s sidewalks and alleys to improve the overall appearance.
A total of $62.6 million from state funding has been committed to revitalizing the city of Pittsburgh, with a ton of support from corporations, foundations, Pittsburgh's three professional sports teams contributing over $40 million, and even the Pittsburgh Urban Redevelopment Authority providing $22.1 million to support this transformation.
As this ambitious plan moves forward, the Cultural Trust is working to ensure that Downtown Pittsburgh is revitalized into a vibrant, thriving destination that serves the needs of residents, businesses, and visitors.
