Pittsburgh officials seeking input on proposed Oakland Crossings development

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey will hold a virtual meeting to hear public opinions regarding the proposed Oakland Crossings development.

Gainey earlier this month called for a 30-day pause on a proposed zoning change needed for the project to move forward.

Walnut Capital, the Shadyside developer best known for revitalizing Bakery square, has proposed a project that would revitalize a portion of Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood. Plans include a neighborhood grocery store, a 25% increase in urban green space and an elevated pedestrian bridge over the Boulevard of the Allies.

The proposed 17-acre development would require a zoning amendment that is being considered by the city’s Planning commission.

Gainey said he wanted to use the time during the 30-day pause to listen to residents and community groups, many of whom have opposed the proposed development.

Shortly before leaving office, former Mayor Bill Peduto introduced legislation to City Council to create a fifth “open public realm” subdistrict in Oakland. After amending the legislation, City Council approved it and sent it to the Planning Commission for approval.

The measure raised alarms with the Planning Commission, as some commissioners questioned the unusual process through which it was introduced, as it came from an outgoing mayor as he prepared to leave office.

Members of the Planning Commission and the Oakland community also objected to the would-be development moving forward months ahead of the release of the Oakland Plan, a 10-year plan intended to guide future developments in the neighborhood.

The public meeting will start at 6 p.m. Feb. 2. The virtual meeting will be hosted on the online platform Zoom and streamed through Facebook Live.

“This is the first step my administration will take to develop an equitable Oakland for all,” Gainey said.

The Department of City Planning created an EngagePGH page where people can access the Zoom link for the upcoming meeting or leave comments. Residents do not need to preregister to participate in the meeting.