Planning Commission OKs Duquesne University's building plans for osteopathy school

Duquesne University will move forward with plans for a new school of medicine after Pittsburgh’s Planning Commission on Tuesday approved the school’s plans for a new building to house its College of Osteopathic Medicine.

The five-story structure will replace the former Life Works building being demolished at Forbes Avenue and Magee Street in the city’s Uptown area.

When Duquesne University unveiled plans for the school in 2019, university officials said they hoped to see an enrollment of around 600 students once the school is fully established. Osteopathic medicine is a practice that focuses on preventative care that treats the whole body, rather than just a specific illness.

Duquesne University, a Catholic college, works to fulfill it’s faith mission by serving its students and guiding them to serve others, said Rod Dobish, chief facilities officer for the university.

“We think this college of osteopathic medicine fits right into that,” he said, adding that the covid-19 pandemic has showcased the need for more doctors.

The 88-foot-tall building will include a pedestrian plaza with bike parking, as well as upgraded crosswalks and planted trees along Forbes Avenue. Its design will also accommodate the Bus Rapid Transit line, which will add bus-only lanes and a bike lane to Forbes Avenue.

University officials detailed their plans for the Planning Commission earlier this month.

University officials said they have worked with several community organizations in developing their plans for the school. The project will be part of the neighborhood’s EcoInnovation District, which aims to address environmental and sustainability issues through development.

Planning Commission members Christine Mondor, Lashawn Burton Faulk, Dina Blackwell, Jean Holland Dick and Becky Mingo voted in favor of the measure, while Fred Brown and Rachel O’Neill abstained. Commissioners Sabina Deitrick and Jennifer Askey were not present.