What Happened?
Pittsburgh, Penssylvania, is undergoing a retail revitalization project. The goal: easier, more efficient access to retailers for downtown residents in turn boosting the city’s economy and better meet the needs of the community.
So What?
Downtown revitalization projects are common in all areas of the country, as cities look to revamp the economic environment when residential demographics change and needs evolve. Many downtown areas go through a decline if populations drop and businesses vacate. However, with many major cities experiencing significant increases in new residents, local officials must partner with businesses to create action plans to meet residential needs and increase access to businesses.
- Downtown revitalization strategies typically focus on a few core strategies:
- Develop a multifunctional downtown area
- Create a long-term, sustainable strategy for economic and residential growth
- Form partnerships with businesses and residential groups to tackle challenges in cooperation
- Deploy tactics to attract diverse businesses and advertise them locally
- Restructure downtown areas to improve safety, access to businesses, amenities options and use of public spaces
What’s The Plan?
The Mayor is leveraging insight and expertise from city officials, developers and local business leaders to formulate a three-year plan that aims to improve the retail district by attracting new businesses and enhancing opportunities for existing ones. The committee overseeing the plan will focus on branding and marketing campaigns for the retail district, urban landscaping improvements for better access to stores, and what types of businesses should be brought in to meet the needs of the community. The goals of the three-year plan include:
- Creating sustainable growth of the downtown area
- Promoting collaboration between the local government, residents and businesses
- Encouraging cultivation of unique retail and support services
- Providing existing businesses with access to resources and services to thrive
- Proposing new programs regularly to keep the downtown area growing and evolving
- Developing initiatives to attract diverse businesses to the area and making their presence known to the public
- Creating a unique and safe experience for residents through enhanced access to amenities and services
The plan also calls for local sellers to establish a retailer’s partnership group that will work as one entity to make decisions and offer suggestions to officials on how access to the businesses can be improved throughout the city.
Test The Waters
Other communities are looking to achieve similar results in their retail districts, and are deploying test runs to gauge how much work must be done to increase access to businesses. In San Antonio, the city recently hosted a Better Block project on its West Commerce Street featuring pop-up stands, allowing sellers to temporarily open business in the district. If the event draws a crowd, new businesses and potential investors will likely increase commitments in the area, boosting the local economy and spurring a downtown revitalization.
Other Projects
Gov1 has covered other cities that are increasing economic activity with new street designs, as well as diversifying investment in retailers and vendors to drive growth.