Proposal would move Public Works division out of Pittsburgh's Riverview Park

Pittsburgh is looking to relocate the Department of Public Works’ First Division from Riverview Park to a new North Side site.

The proposal, presented to City Council on Wednesday by Mayor Bill Peduto, would involve buying property on River Avenue from the Urban Redevelopment Authority to serve as the location for the new facility.

“This is a win-win,” Peduto said. “The hard-working employees of Public Works need a new state-of-the-art facility to support their work, and this will allow us to clean up the park and return this space to park users.”

Some members of the community have called for the Public Works division to be moved out of the park.

“We are happy that the city is moving forward to relocate the Public Works depot from Riverview Park,” said Mark Masterson, chair of Friends of Riverview Park.

Once the city acquires the land for their new facility, it will construct a net-zero building on the site that officials said would produce at least as much energy as it consumes. The department’s Fourth Division building in the South Hills also is a net-zero building.

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

“The eventual relocation of the First Division will move heavy machinery and temporary trash storage out of our beautiful park,” City Councilman Bobby Wilson said. “I’m excited for this first step of moving (Public Works) into a new and modern facility on River Avenue.”