Market Square facelift pitched by urban design group behind NYC's High Line
A proposal to reimagine Market Square, a hub of Downtown Pittsburgh since the 1700s, would limit vehicle traffic, add more greenery and seating and install a semi-circular trellis canopy under which events could take place throughout the year.
The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership pitched the plans to the city’s Historic Review Commission on Wednesday.
It’s part of a broader $600 million Downtown revitalization effort that aims to increase housing, improve public safety and reimagine public spaces in the Golden Triangle.
“Market Square is an extremely important public space in Downtown Pittsburgh, welcoming almost 300,000 visitors in October,” Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership President Jeremy Waldrup said. “It’s become a great place to host events, a welcome home for over 20 restaurants and retailers and an integral part of our vibrant Downtown.”
Officials are hoping a facelift on the site will help it attract even more visitors and events.
New York-based Field Operations — the team behind the acclaimed High Line park in New York City — is proposing upgrades that would improve lighting, add more seating and provide wayfinding to help people navigate to other key destinations Downtown.
Field Operations Director Kim Cooper said the plan would also curb traffic and parking, creating more space for pedestrians, events and seating.
Under the proposal, vehicle traffic would still be permitted in half of the square. The half closer to PPG Place would be converted to a pedestrian-only area. Retractable bollards would allow officials to close off all vehicular access to Market Square during large events. They also would be able to reopen the portion of the road that would be closed for emergency vehicles.
The plan includes smart loading zones for quick drop-off or pick-up access.
The plan also proposes a new trellis — which likely would be built primarily of steel and glass — that would serve as a focal point for the square.
Cooper said an array of events — from summer farmer’s markets to winter holiday celebrations — could be hosted under the structure.
The trellis’ semicircular design is a nod to the market structure that stood on the site in the 1790s.
Market Square has seen several changes through its history, with the most recent renovation taking place about 15 years ago, Waldrup said.
Though it’s considered a historic site, there are no specific structures there the Historic Review Commission is tasked with preserving. Commissioner James Hill said the goal should be to preserve the historic space as an active public market and Downtown attraction.
“Market Square, it’s never been the same place for more than 20 years,” Hill said. “It’s historic in that it’s the spirit of Market Square that’s historic, but there’s never been anything physically there that’s lasted in that space for more than 20 years.”
The commission is expected to vote on the proposal at its February meeting. The proposal will then move to the Planning Commission for its approval.
Julia Burdelski is a TribLive reporter covering Pittsburgh City Hall and other news in and around Pittsburgh. A La Roche University graduate, she joined the Trib in 2020. She can be reached at jburdelski@triblive.com.
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