UPMC gives $10M to city for plows, ambulances
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Pittsburgh will be getting more new snowplows. Photo: Justin Merriman/Bloomberg via Getty Images
New plows and more emergency response vehicles are on the way.
Why it matters: After a third of Pittsburgh's snowplows broke down earlier this week, UPMC announced Thursday that it is donating $10 million to the city to purchase new plows, ambulances and other emergency vehicles.
By the numbers: The donation will help purchase 35 new Department of Public Works vehicles this year, including plows, Mayor Corey O'Connor said at a press conference. They will also include:
- Nine new ambulances
- One new rescue truck
- More EMS vehicles to be purchased in 2027
What they're saying: "Help is on its way," said O'Connor.
- "This week, I would say we had a few challenges, right? ... And we recognize the urgency of this very moment," said Leslie Davis, UPMC president and CEO.
Context: The press conference was held in front of a 31-year-old rescue vehicle that had over 100,000 miles on it, according to O'Connor.
- He said most of the city's vehicles have over 75,000 miles on them.
- 37 of the city's 95 plows broke down on Monday as crews were plowing; 27 of those came back online by Wednesday.
Flashback: O'Connor told Axios last year he wanted to secure an agreement with the city's large nonprofits to get them to pay for things like ambulances and snowplows.
State of play: Large nonprofits like UPMC don't pay property taxes to municipal governments, despite occupying acres of valuable property within the city. For several years, mayors have struggled with how to get the nonprofits to contribute revenue to city coffers.
Between the lines: O'Connor's strategy diverged from that of his predecessor, former Mayor Ed Gainey, who sued the nonprofits, hoping the courts would force payments.
Yes, but: The city raised property taxes this year to cover an annual budget deficit of $20 million to $30 million.
- "It is a good start, and sets a good precedent, but it is insufficient for the city's long-term needs," said Alex Wallach Hanson, executive director of Pittsburgh United, which was part of past efforts to sue nonprofits.
O'Connor stressed that UPMC's donation was a gift, and not a substitute for a bigger effort to have large nonprofits contribute more to city operations.
What's next: Davis said she hopes UPMC's donation will serve as a catalyst for other nonprofit and private-sector partners to invest in the city.