FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership – Richard Hooper, rhooper@downtownpittsburgh.com
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust – Derek Scalzott, Scalzott@TrustArts.org
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Market Square and Arts Landing Downtown Revitalization Projects Advance Through Winter Months
Projects remain on schedule with visible progress shaping Downtown’s next chapter
PITTSBURGH (February 10, 2026) – Construction continues to advance at two of Downtown Pittsburgh’s most transformative public space projects – Market Square and Arts Landing – despite challenging winter conditions. Both projects remain on schedule and on budget, with recent milestones delivering highly visible progress that shows momentum heading into spring.
Market Square Modernization
At Market Square, work continues on the $15 million modernization project led by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, with new construction elements now clearly visible to passersby.
Recent progress includes the placement of steel supports and metal brackets atop the anchor pavilion structure, giving the pavilion a more complete form before the next step of installing glass rooftop panels. Concrete slabs beneath the anchor structure have been poured, marking another structural milestone. Under heated tents, crews continue setting pavers, sand bedding, and sealing surfaces throughout the winter months.
“We’re in the home stretch of Market Square’s revitalization,” said Jeremy Waldrup, CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership. “This space is the heart of downtown in every season, and we’re grateful for the continued support of the public and the patience of the Market Square businesses as we’ve worked over the past year to redesign a more vibrant, welcoming space for everyone.”
Since construction began, the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership has supported Market Square businesses through a two-part assistance program that includes financial grants and marketing and promotional support. To date, 42 grants have been awarded through the Event Loss Mitigation Program to help offset lost event-related revenue.
In addition, ongoing promotions continue to sustain foot traffic and visibility during construction. The upcoming promotion “Downtown Pittsburgh Loves You” shares the love this Valentine’s Day with a free coffee (or tea) from Downtown Pittsburgh merchants. The PDP On-Street Services Team will be handing out free coffee coupons on Thursday morning, redeemable through Sunday at Nicholas Coffee & Tea Co., The Boredom Set, and Starbucks (Market Square locations), while supplies last.
Arts Landing
Construction at the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s new four-acre civic space, Arts Landing, also continues to progress on schedule and on budget as the project moves closer to completion.
One of the most striking recent additions is the stage canopy, now prominently in place near Fort Duquesne Boulevard with Pittsburgh’s iconic Three Sisters Bridges serving as a riverfront backdrop. The performance stage spans 55 feet wide, with a canopy reaching 27 feet high, designed to accommodate a wide range of events from festival performances to local community activations.
“Even with record winter weather, Arts Landing is quickly coming to life thanks to the incredible work of our construction and project management partners,” said Kendra Whitlock Ingram, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. “Seeing the stage canopy go up along the riverfront makes it feel real, and a future place where people can gather, enjoy the arts, and spend time together. We’re really looking forward to welcoming the public this April.”
Additional recent progress includes:
● Hardscape surfaces that are substantially complete, including concrete walkways, asphalt zones, and foundations for public art
● Electrical systems that are substantially complete, with underground conduits in place to support lighting, security, and power needs
Work continuing through the winter and early spring includes irrigation installation, Visitor Center renovations, playground completion, and lighting fixtures. As the project moves into March and April, crews will begin asphalt painting, streetscape improvements, lawn sod placement, and final furnishings and landscaping.
“Each day brings visible progress of Downtown Pittsburgh’s revitalization, and there’s growing excitement across the region as we near completion of these two significant community placemaking investments this spring,” said Stefani Pashman, CEO, Allegheny Conference on Community Development. “Watching the Downtown Vision Plan come to life is a testament to the collective spirit and dedication of our region.”
To maintain progress through winter conditions, crews have implemented extensive snow mitigation and cold-weather strategies. Both sites currently include multiple heated tents, some measuring 20-by-40 feet, along with ground-thaw heaters and ongoing snow removal to protect materials and maintain safe working conditions.
Market Square and Arts Landing remain on schedule to open for the NFL Draft in April.
The soft opening for Arts Landing will be in April, with the grand opening planned for June alongside the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival.
For more information on the Market Square Modernization, visit DowntownPittsburgh.com/MarketSquareUpdates. For more information on Arts Landing, visit TrustArts.org/ArtsLanding.
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About Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership
Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP) is a dynamic, nonprofit organization comprised of business and community leaders, property owners, civic organizations, foundations, and residents who provide energy, vision, and advocacy for Downtown Pittsburgh. Working collaboratively with its partners, the PDP strives to create a positive Downtown experience for residents, workers, and visitors alike. The PDP’s strategic initiatives include clean and safe services, transportation, and economic development and advocacy. For more information, visit www.DowntownPittsburgh.com, follow us on X, Facebook, and Instagram @downtownpitt.
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is one of the nation’s premier arts presenters and a major catalytic influence in Pittsburgh, having overseen one of the city’s most historic transformations: turning a seedy red-light district into a magnet destination for arts-lovers, residents, visitors, and business owners. Founded in 1984, the Cultural Trust presents an array of quality performing and visual arts, provides comprehensive educational experiences, and stewards Pittsburgh’s Cultural District as a national model of economic revitalization through the arts. Lauded as “the single greatest creative force in Pittsburgh,” the Cultural Trust has worked to make Pittsburgh a place where the arts can flourish. The 14-block Cultural District, a project of the Cultural Trust, has become a vibrant center for culture, art, food, and community in downtown Pittsburgh, providing a home for a broad range of performance groups and resident companies. More than one million people visit the Cultural District each year, generating $200M in economic impact for the region.
TrustArts.org | @CulturalTrust on Facebook · Instagram · TikTok