Pittsburgh advances proposal to purchase North Side site for new public works facility

Pittsburgh City Council on Wednesday advanced a measure to move a Department of Public Works facility out of Riverview Park to a new site on the North Side, despite concerns that the proposed site is involved in ongoing litigation regarding a billboard.

The proposal calls for moving the Department of Public Works’ First Division from the popular park and to a new property on River Avenue. The site is currently owned by the Urban Redevelopment Authority.

Though officials recently touted the plan as a way to honor repeated community requests to move the facility from the park, council members acknowledged a potential problem with the proposal during their Wednesday meeting.

“I was informed there’s litigation about the parcel, but I don’t have any details on it,” Councilwoman Deb Gross said.

She said she was made aware of the ongoing litigation as part of a briefing with the URA. David Geiger, the URA’s assistant director of strategic affairs, also acknowledged the lawsuit.

The URA is currently in litigation with Lamar, an advertising company, in regard to a billboard on the corner of the parcel, Geiger said. The lawsuit involves a potential breach of contract.

A representative from Lamar said she could not comment on the situation. A regional manager did not immediately return requests for comment.

Gross expressed concerns that the city could be liable if they purchased the property in the midst of a lawsuit. No one at the meeting was immediately able to address her questions regarding Pittsburgh’s potential liability.

Councilman Bobby Wilson, who supported the plan and represents the area, said he was unaware of the litigation.

All members of City Council present at Wednesday’s meeting nonetheless voted to advance the measure, which could be up for a final vote as early as next week. Councilman Corey O’Connor was not present at Wednesday’s meeting.

Council President Theresa Kail-Smith said they would hold a closed-doors executive session on the matter before the next council meeting on Monday. That would give them an opportunity to discuss their concerns and learn more about the litigation ahead of a final vote, she said.

If the proposal is passed, the city plans to construct a “net-zero” building that officials said would produce at least as much energy as it consumes — similar to the Fourth Division building being constructed in the South Hills.

City officials did not release details on the size or price of the new facility.

When the proposal was first announced, city officials said the measure would be a win-win, by moving the site out of the park and giving the Department of Public Works crew in that district a new, modern facility.

“I think it is a perfect place for a Public Works division,” Councilman Anthony Coghill said.