Market Square on schedule to be finished before NFL Draft in Pittsburgh

An ongoing effort to revitalize Pittsburgh’s Market Square is on track to be finished before the city hosts the NFL Draft next year.

The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership on Monday said the project — which will limit vehicle traffic and add greenery, lighting, seating and a canopy where people can gather for events — is on budget and on schedule. Work began in April.

Market Square welcomes about 3.1 million visitors per year, according to the partnership. The draft begins April 23, a Thursday, and runs into the weekend.

Officials estimated the north side of the square will reopen to the public when construction is finished in late October or early November. The full project is on track to be finished by April, before the NFL Draft.

Its $15 million facelift will limit vehicle traffic to half of the square. Retractable bollards will allow officials to close off vehicle access to the entire area during events or to open the portion closed to vehicles if emergency responders need to pass through.

A new covered steel-and-glass trellis feature will host events from farmers markets to holiday celebrations. Its shape will mimic the market structure that stood on the site in the 1790s.

“These new street surfaces and walkways are more than design features, they’re the foundation of a Market Square that will be safer, more accessible, and more welcoming,” Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership President and CEO Jeremy Waldrup said in a statement. “From upgraded utilities to a modern pavilion, this project is building a stronger Downtown that honors Pittsburgh’s past while preparing for what’s ahead.”

According to the partnership, work is underway on a new streetscape that blends the road and sidewalks into a curbless surface that aims to slow drivers, welcome pedestrians and support outdoor dining or events.

Salvaged cobblestones, granite curbs and terrazzo from the site will be repurposed throughout Market Square to limit waste and pay tribute to the space’s history, the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership said.

Crews also are modernizing electrical and water systems and upgrading irrigation to support a larger tree canopy.

The partnership on Monday said work is underway on the pavilion that is set to be a new focal point of the square. Crews are drilling 18 structure caissons to support the structure.

To support those impacted by the construction, the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership said it provided grants to 13 merchants affected by the relocation of Market Square events this summer. A second round of grants is open now.

The group also is offering marketing and promotional support — including new signage, merchant spotlights and digital campaigns — to help businesses located around the construction area.

New York-based Field Operations spearheaded the design at Market Square. Field Operations also created the High Line park in New York City and designed Arts Landing, an outdoor civic space under construction in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District.

The Market Square facelift and Arts Landing are part of a broader $600 million Downtown revitalization effort championed by Gov. Josh Shapiro. The massive Downtown makeover, which was announced last October, includes plans for nearly 1,000 new housing units, improvements to Point State Park and support for small businesses, public art and public safety.