NFL Draft driving Downtown development forward
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A rendering of the great lawn in summer at the new Arts Landing park, set to be completed in 2026 in Downtown. Image: Courtesy of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
Downtown Pittsburgh is getting a face-lift, and officials expect at least one of three civic upgrade projects to be completed by next April.
Why it matters: Pittsburgh is hosting the NFL Draft in April 2026, and the city wants to show off to the expected record crowds.
Stunning stat: Mayor Ed Gainey said Thursday he expects 1 million visitors to Pittsburgh for the 2026 draft, which would shatter the record 775,000 attendees that Detroit attracted last year.
Driving the news: On Thursday, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust officials announced designs for the new Arts Landing park at Eighth Street between Penn Avenue and Fort Duquesne Boulevard.
- The 4-acre site will include a great lawn, a new band shell, a visitor center with public restrooms, pickleball courts and a children's play area.
- A slight incline on the site will also provide subtle views of the Allegheny River and prime viewing for Pittsburgh's legendary fireworks displays.
What they're saying: David Holmberg, CEO of Highmark Health and Cultural Trust board of trustees chair, lauded the NFL Draft for putting a "forced timeline" on the project.
- "We invited these hundreds of thousands of people, and they are going to show up," Holmberg said.
- Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato said, "At the end of the day, yinzers deserve nice things."
Yes, but: Cultural Trust CEO Kendra Whitlock Ingram said most draft events will occur at and around Acrisure Stadium across the river but added that any spillover from visitors next April will be embraced at Arts Landing.
Context: A Market Square revamp cleared the city's historic review commission this week, and Point State Park is also scheduled for a revamp ahead of next year's draft.
- All of these projects are part of a $600 million investment in Downtown Pittsburgh.
By the numbers: The $31 million project is funded by two-thirds private funds and one-third public funds, said Ingram.
- Innamorato said the Regional Asset District — funded by the county's 1% sales tax — is contributing $5 million to the project.
What's next: A groundbreaking is scheduled for April, and completion is slated for March or April 2026, said Ingram.