Liberty Avenue project seeks to perk up key Downtown Pittsburgh corridor
Liberty Avenue needs a new identity.
That was the message of the 13th annual Downtown Neighbors Alliance awards dinner Monday at the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh.
To develop that new identity, DNA is launching the Liberty Avenue Project, working with the city and state to improve a key Downtown corridor.
“The Liberty Avenue Project originated from concerns by residents about safety and dreary streets,” said John Valentine, DNA executive director. “The ultimate goal is to transform Liberty Avenue into a dynamic, welcoming space. We will achieve this by better street lighting, creating an assortment of retail stores, restaurants, unique shops, more comedy venues and shows, live music, theater and office occupancy.”
The Downtown Neighbors Alliance focuses on residential development, the promotion of the arts and entertainment, and small business assistance.
“Our goal is to have Downtown Pittsburgh be the role model for every city in the world that is our size,” Valentine said, a longtime Downtown resident.
Valentine said repurposing empty office spaces will be crucial to the project. Highmark, commercial realtors JLL and the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust have agreed to assist, as has the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, Valentine said.
He said that when he met with Kendra Whitlock Ingram, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s president and CEO, they shared the same vision for the Liberty Avenue Project. It will build on what the Cultural Trust is doing with Arts Landing, a $31 million outdoor civic space at Eight Street and Fort Duquesne Boulevard.
Ingram was honored as Non-Profit Person of the Year at the event.
“We are all in this room because we care about this city and making a difference,” said Ingram, who has led the Cultural Trust since February 2023.
In addition to complementing Arts Landing, Valentine sees the Liberty Avenue Project as a partner with other efforts to refresh Downtown, such as Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership’s improvements to Market Square and Point State Park’s new look.
Officials from the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.
At the Monday evening event, Vincent J. Delie Jr., the president and CEO of FNB Corporation and First National Bank, was recognized as Corporate Person of the Year. Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato was named Public Servant of the Year.
In Pittsburgh, “there are hardworking, dedicated and honest people who have a lot of grit left over from the steel industry,” said Delie, who grew up in the North Side. “They have tenacity and conviction and that makes me excited about the future of Downtown Pittsburgh.”
He cited FNB’s commitment to Pittsburgh with the FNB Financial Center, which opened in February as the bank’s new headquarters. The 26-story, $220 million tower is located in the Lower Hill District and visible on the Downtown skyline.
Innamorato said that as a girl growing up in Ross, going Downtown was always a treat.
“To see the city coming into view as we drove Downtown is a core memory,” she said. “Together we can do big things.”
She talked about getting ready to host the NFL Draft in April 2026.
“All eyes globally will be on our great city,” she said. “We want Downtown to be a neighborhood again. Downtown is the heartbeat of this region.”
Valentine also announced plans to open the DNA Bookstore and café, with a location to be decided. DNA also plans to launch Downtown Dialogues, a discussion series on Downtown Development that will kick off on June 11 at Point Park University’s Lawrence Hall. A Living Well Initiative will promote health and longevity by partnering with local restaurants to highlight healthier food options. A Green Roofs project to transform rooftops into vibrant green spaces is also in the works.
“We don’t have all the answers. But if we work together, we can make big changes,” Valentine said to the nearly 400 guests in attendance. “We want more tech companies and fewer vape shops. Liberty Avenue needs a lot of work. It needs a new identity.”
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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