Redrawn Pittsburgh City Council district map would maintain 2 majority-minority districts

Proposed changes to Pittsburgh City Council’s district map would consolidate Oakland into two districts, move the Strip District and Polish Hill into new districts and maintain two districts where people of color make up a majority of the population.

The nine-member Reapportionment Advisory Committee, formed in late September, drew up the proposed map based on population changes in the 2020 census. There are nine City Council districts.

One priority of the committee was to maintain two majority-minority districts where minorities made up a majority of the population, said committee Chairman Daniel Wood, who serves as chief of staff to Councilman R. Daniel Lavelle.

One of the city’s existing majority-minority districts — District 6, which is represented by Lavelle — had dipped below the majority threshold in the latest Census, with about 45% of the population being minorities.

To address that and push the district’s minority population over 50%, the committee proposed moving Marshall-Shadeland and a precinct from Perry South to the district. Both are now in District 1, represented by Councilman Bobby Wilson. Central Northside, a primarily white neighborhood, also would be removed from District 6 and placed in District 1.

The city’s second majority-minority district — District 9, represented by Councilman Ricky Burgess — would grow to include Point Breeze and Regent Square, both of which are now in District 5, represented by Councilman Corey O’Connor. The district would be comprised of more than 55% minority voters.

The proposed map also would consolidate Oakland into Districts 3 and 8. It’s now divided between Districts 3, 6 and 8.

Some neighborhoods or precincts would be moved to ensure council districts have similar populations. The smallest districts, Districts 1 and 9, would receive additional precincts, while the largest, District 4, would lose some.

In addition to Central Northside, District 1 would gain the Strip District and Polish Hill. The latter neighborhoods are now represented by Councilwoman Deb Gross in District 7.

District 4, represented by Councilman Anthony Coghill and the city’s largest council district, would lose a precinct in Mount Washington and all of Bon Air. Bon Air would move to District 3, represented by Councilman Bruce Kraus.

Interactive maps showing the proposed changes are available online. Residents also can share their input on the proposed maps on the city’s website.

The Reapportionment Advisory Committee held its first public meeting last week. Additional public meetings are scheduled throughout April.

The committee could make changes based on public feedback before recommending a new district map to City Council in May. Council is expected to vote on the proposed map in July before going on summer recess.