Smithfield Street is getting a new look
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
A rendering looking south down Smithfield Street from Sixth Avenue in Downtown Pittsburgh. Image: Courtesy of Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and Klavon Design Associates
An overlooked corridor in Downtown is getting some TLC.
Why it matters: Downtown's evolution has benefited public parks and the Cultural District, but Smithfield Street hasn't seen as much investment.
Driving the news: The first phase of the Smithfield Street Reconstruction Project is going out for bids, the city's Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI) announced last week.
Zoom in: The first phase will upgrade infrastructure between Forbes and Sixth avenues, according to DOMI.
- That includes extended sidewalks, extending curbs for pedestrian safety, street landscaping and infrastructure for artistic lighting.
- The road will also be completely reconstructed.
Between the lines: Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O'Connor said in a release that the upgrades are meant to create more possibilities for outdoor dining, which is currently concentrated along Penn Avenue.
- "To have a more vibrant Downtown, we have to invest in opportunities on our main streets," he said.
State of play: Smithfield Street has seen several business closures since the pandemic.
- Yes, but: Target and other business openings at the Kaufmann's Building have injected a bit of life.
What's next: Construction of the first phase is expected to begin this summer.
- It should take 18 to 24 months to complete, according to DOMI.