Building a Legacy With Stefani Pashman
Written By: Delaney Pipon
For the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, a civic leadership organization driving changes in the region for 80 years now, the revitalization of downtown Pittsburgh is more than just an urban planning initiative - it's a chance to breathe new life into the heart of the community.
"A thriving and future-oriented downtown is crucial to the success of our entire region," says Stefani Pashman, Chief Executive Officer of the Allegheny Conference. "If we want to build a legacy for our children and grandchildren, reimagining downtown is essential."
As the front door and calling card for anyone visiting Pittsburgh, Pashman believes the city's downtown should aspire to be a welcoming destination that showcases the region's vitality and quality of life.
The ambitious vision plan, spearheaded by the Allegheny Conference in partnership with Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh – and developed with the input of 40+ downtown-focused partner organizations and stakeholders –
outlines a strategy to transform downtown from a former office district into a true neighborhood where people of all ages and backgrounds can live, work, and play.
"The key is relevancy," explains Pashman. "We want to put Pittsburgh on the map as a city with world-class amenities - vibrant green spaces, playgrounds, dog parks, diverse retail options, and entertainment venues that cater to everyone."
The plan proposes creating connective corridors that link downtown to surrounding neighborhoods, riverfronts, and iconic landmarks like the city's bridges. It identifies catalytic public realm projects like renovating the 8th Street Block into an activated civic space with a flexible lawn, amphitheater, and river access. Enhancements to Point State Park and Market Square are also envisioned to foster more residential growth nearby.
"Many more places for citizens to live downtown, of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds, are central to creating that true neighborhood feeling," says Pashman. "Each sub-neighborhood could have its own distinct flavor and amenities, from green spaces to neighborhood markets."
To facilitate this residential growth, the public realm improvements in the plan complement converting underutilized office buildings into housing units. The recent passage of a local tax abatement program opens opportunities for such strategic redevelopment.
Pashman is confident meaningful progress can be achieved within the next two years. "We started bringing partners together about a year ago, and the County Executive, Mayor, and civic leaders have been aligned. With sustained investment, we could hit
key milestones like the Market Square and Point State Park renovations and see the first wave of transformation take shape."
Securing funding remains crucial, with the Allegheny Conference exploring innovative public-private partnerships and investment sources. "We're presenting a new value proposition to developers, both local and from outside the market," explains Pashman. "With a revitalized downtown, projects creating new housing, retail, and amenity spaces become far more viable and investable."
The effort has engaged urban design experts like Field Operations to guide the innovative reimagining of downtown's public spaces. Their expertise is helping identify assets that differentiate Pittsburgh and design vibrant areas attracting residents and visitors year-round.
For Pashman, the impact extends far beyond downtown's boundaries. "I'm incredibly optimistic about the future of downtown – the heart of southwestern Pennsylvania – given our partnerships across labor, philanthropy, business, and government.”
A revitalized downtown Pittsburgh is more than just a cosmetic upgrade - it's a statement of belief in a future that blends working, living, and leisure. For Pittsburgh, it signals the region's arrival as a human-centered city ready to embrace its next evolution.
