Pittsburgh City Council on Wednesday advanced separate bills that would require an increased effort to rebuild business districts in minority-populated neighborhoods and create a commission to help resolve problems faced by the city’s LGBTQIA+ residents and visitors.

Councilmen Ricky Burgess and R. Daniel Lavelle, the city’s only two Black council representatives, sponsored a bill that includes a five-point platform for improving conditions for Black residents. Among other things, it requires the city to provide violence prevention, social service, workforce and entrepreneurial development programs, low-income housing and economic development opportunities for residents.

It also affirms a commitment by Pittsburgh to stand in solidarity with national Black Lives Matter and Black Communities Matter movements.

Burgess said Pittsburgh would one of the first cities in America to adopt such priorities.

“I believe if we’re saying that we’re committed to Black lives and Black lives mattering, we also must commit to reinvesting in Black places and spaces to create sustainable Black communities,” he said. “We must rebuild Black communities for Black people by Black people with our partners and allies.”

Mayor Bill Peduto proposed legislation that would create an 11-member commission to help make Pittsburgh a welcoming place for LGBTQIA+ residents and visitors.

The commission would hold monthly public meetings, conduct studies, seek out best practices and develop advocacy programs to help make Pittsburgh more inclusive and equitable. The commission would also serve as liaison between the city and residents, create cultural competency training for city employees and produce annual reports for City Council.

Council unanimously approved both bills for a final vote on Tuesday.

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