Downtown Pittsburgh data to be tracked by online dashboard

An online dashboard has been launched to provide data on Downtown Pittsburgh as it attempts to reinvent itself after the covid-19 pandemic.

IndexPGH is designed to provide metrics including monthly visitors, public transportation ridership, hotel occupancy as well as health and public safety. The numbers are collected by the Allegheny Conference on Community Development.

The Allegheny Conference also announced $2 million in funding from corporate and philanthropic partners to support Downtown revitalization efforts.

The money aims to advance efforts led by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership for on-street maintenance and public safety and health outreach. Temporary public restrooms will be installed along with more downtown lighting and increased maintenance within Mellon and Market Squares.

A recent study conducted by Point Park University suggested Downtown Pittsburgh would be improved by public restrooms, more public garbage and recycling receptacles, and lights and cameras in alleys.

Since the start of the pandemic, Downtown Pittsburgh, like many business corridors across the country, has had to figure out what its future looks like. And it’s complicated.

More people have left office buildings in favor of hybrid work arrangements. Some businesses and restaurants have closed. Others have cited concerns about shootings and vagrancy.

Office building vacancies hit a new record in the second quarter of 2023, clocking in at a 22.5% total vacancy rate, a record high for the Pittsburgh market, according to a report by real estate firm Jones Lang LaSalle. Compare that to a total vacancy of 14.9% in the second quarter of 2019 before covid-19 sent workers home.

However, events, festivals and shows are attracting visitors and residences are increasing.

Last week, the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership released data that shows 1.7 million visitors came to Downtown in July, which represents a 97% recovery rate from 2019. For overall recovery — which includes visitors, office workers, residents, and others — Downtown saw an average of 95,000 people per day. PDP said that represents an 81% recovery compared to pre-pandemic levels.

“The PDP, along with our partners and stakeholders are committed to the vibrancy and health of our city, and thanks to the dedicated corporate and philanthropic partners and the leadership of the Allegheny Conference, we can further amplify our ongoing work to create a cleaner, safer, and more welcoming Downtown,” said Jeremy Waldrup, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership.

“This work requires consistency, diligence, and a committed partnership with both the public and private sectors to ensure Downtown is a place where people want to be — to work, live, and visit,” Waldrup continued. “We are excited to be able to share the stories of these efforts, and what that means for the vitality of our city on the new IndexPGH platform.”

Allegheny Conference CEO Stefani Pashman said IndexPGH provides “a common resource to help us identify trends and triumphs, as well as challenges and opportunities. These insights are key to even more effectively supporting partners, allocating resources and developing short- and long-term solutions and strategies to keep downtown’s ongoing transformation on track.”