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Help pick Pittsburgh's worst sidewalk

Cast your vote for the city's most frustrating stretch of sidewalk.

Transit

Pittsburgh is a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fairly good city for pedestrians" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/10/17/1-photo-to-go-walk-this-way" data-vars-content-id="2f74967c-9118-40bd-ab72-be345e41a8c9" data-vars-headline="Help pick Pittsburgh&#x27;s worst sidewalk" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/10/17/1-photo-to-go-walk-this-way" target="_self">fairly good city for pedestrians</a>, but there are still plenty of sidewalk stretches that make navigating on foot treacherous.Why it matters: Many of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="city&#x27;s sidewalks surveyed by volunteers" data-vars-click-url="https://safe-sidewalks-survey-map.netlify.app/?layers=density%2Cstreets&amp;mode=condition" data-vars-content-id="2f74967c-9118-40bd-ab72-be345e41a8c9" data-vars-headline="Help pick Pittsburgh&#x27;s worst sidewalk" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://safe-sidewalks-survey-map.netlify.app/?layers=density%2Cstreets&amp;mode=condition" target="_blank">city&#x27;s sidewalks surveyed by volunteers</a> are in poor condition, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Safe Sidewalks Crew" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pittsburghwalks.org/safesidewalks" data-vars-content-id="2f74967c-9118-40bd-ab72-be345e41a8c9" data-vars-headline="Help pick Pittsburgh&#x27;s worst sidewalk" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pittsburghwalks.org/safesidewalks" target="_blank">Safe Sidewalks Crew</a>, a partnership between BikePGH, Access Mob Pittsburgh and the City of Pittsburgh&#x27;s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure.

Eat'n Park debuts pickle Smiley cookie

The limited-edition pickle Smiley Cookies will be topped with green pickle-flavored icing.

Food and Drink

Eat&#x27;n Park is giving its iconic Smiley cookie a green, pickle-flavored makeover to celebrate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Picklesburgh" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/06/02/picklesburgh-2026-dates-locations-expansion" data-vars-content-id="775b8bb4-fa45-42ba-8862-ff5de6639f3e" data-vars-headline="Eat&#x27;n Park debuts pickle Smiley cookie" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/06/02/picklesburgh-2026-dates-locations-expansion" target="_self">Picklesburgh</a>.Zoom in: The limited-edition pickle Smiley cookies will be topped with green pickle-flavored icing and Smiley&#x27;s signature grin.

U.S. Steel details Mon Valley upgrades

The company showcased major improvements planned for its Mon Valley facilities.

News

U.S. Steel is investing $2.5 billion in its Mon Valley Works facilities, and it showcased its planned improvements to the community Thursday.Why it matters: About a year after Japan&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nippon Steel" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/18/us-steel-trump-nippon-takeover" data-vars-content-id="65dddd81-bec9-4d5e-878d-9099c3d945b4" data-vars-headline="U.S. Steel details Mon Valley upgrades" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/18/us-steel-trump-nippon-takeover" target="_self">Nippon Steel</a> bought U.S. Steel, the region is starting to see portions of the promised $11 billion investment for the Pittsburgh-based icon.

Lemieux, Harris to join Pittsburgh Walk of Fame

The newest class spans sports, arts, science and business.

Culture

The next class of honorees for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pittsburgh&#x27;s Walk of Fame" data-vars-click-url="https://pittsburghwalkoffame.org/" data-vars-content-id="ec55b13a-1025-42c7-abad-010878b638d4" data-vars-headline="Lemieux, Harris to join Pittsburgh Walk of Fame" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pittsburghwalkoffame.org/" target="_blank">Pittsburgh&#x27;s Walk of Fame</a> is set, spanning arts, science, sports and business.The big picture: The Walk of Fame honors people with ties to Southwestern Pennsylvania who helped shape American culture. Each inductee will be immortalized with a bronze star embedded at the Strip District Terminal sidewalk along Smallman Street.

Pittsburgh stands out for luxury homes under $1 million

Luxury buyers still get more home for their money in Pittsburgh.

Real Estate

Pittsburgh is one of only five major U.S. metros where <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="luxury homes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/06/01/luxury-home-demand-pittsburgh-housing-split" data-vars-content-id="d3bb9a00-3241-4d12-ba3f-57482a383005" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh stands out for luxury homes under $1 million" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/06/01/luxury-home-demand-pittsburgh-housing-split" target="_self">luxury homes</a> still sell for under $1 million.Why it matters: Southwestern Pennsylvania remains a relatively <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="affordable" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/19/pittsburgh-homebuyers-biggest-discounts-nation" data-vars-content-id="d3bb9a00-3241-4d12-ba3f-57482a383005" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh stands out for luxury homes under $1 million" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/19/pittsburgh-homebuyers-biggest-discounts-nation" target="_self">affordable</a> housing hub, including for luxury buyers.

Luxury home boom hits Pittsburgh

Wealthy buyers are driving demand while many others hold off on home purchases.

Luxury homes in Pittsburgh and across the nation are becoming more popular than middle-market houses — which still feel increasingly out of reach to most people.Why it matters: The rising stock market and AI boom are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="driving a lot of this" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/27/ai-luxury-homes-k-economy" data-vars-content-id="9bf445e5-2a56-41b4-91d4-10ad1d834662" data-vars-headline="Luxury home boom hits Pittsburgh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/27/ai-luxury-homes-k-economy" target="_self">driving a lot of this</a>.

LadderUp Housing expands into Pittsburgh region

The company renovates homes and helps renters prepare to buy.

A real estate development company working to widen paths to homeownership is moving into Southwestern Pennsylvania with the help of a $250,000 philanthropic boost.The big picture: The Richard King Mellon Foundation investment will help Toledo-based <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="LadderUp Housing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ladderuphousing.com/" data-vars-content-id="90f2476c-c8ec-40bf-b238-31bba365cc43" data-vars-headline="LadderUp Housing expands into Pittsburgh region" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ladderuphousing.com/" target="_blank">LadderUp Housing</a> expand into Allegheny and Westmoreland counties — supporting its work to help low- to moderate-income families buy homes.

Pittsburgh homebuyers score big discounts

Nearly 62% of homes sold under asking, with average discounts outpacing the national rate.

It&#x27;s a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="good time to buy a home" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/02/pittsburgh-homebuyers-down-payment-time" data-vars-content-id="6dae687f-dafc-4761-8fe6-b72556aa7095" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh homebuyers score big discounts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/02/pittsburgh-homebuyers-down-payment-time" target="_self">good time to buy a home</a> in Pittsburgh.Why it matters: Though high mortgage rates are still <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sidelining many buyers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/01/mortgage-rates-home-prices-predictions-2026" data-vars-content-id="6dae687f-dafc-4761-8fe6-b72556aa7095" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh homebuyers score big discounts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/01/mortgage-rates-home-prices-predictions-2026" target="_self">sidelining many buyers</a>, Pittsburgh home sales have one of the biggest discounts in the nation, according to a new Redfin <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.redfin.com/news/homebuyer-discounts-below-list-price-2025/" data-vars-content-id="6dae687f-dafc-4761-8fe6-b72556aa7095" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh homebuyers score big discounts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.redfin.com/news/homebuyer-discounts-below-list-price-2025/" target="_blank">report</a>.

WDVE sign comes down from Parkway perch

The WDVE sign in Green Tree is gone, but the station is still rocking from its new home.

Music

<figure><img alt="The number 2 being removed from the 102.5 WDVE sign off of a gold-glass building outside of Pittsburgh, PA" height="450" id="791cbb85-d3e6-4dc9-b30e-dad4f185db1d" src="https://images.axios.com/PpGFDGpsEVtPLGxm4WYJzI0KrFU=/2025/09/04/1757016808521.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>So long to a Parkway West landmark, but WDVE is still broadcasting. GIF: Courtesy of Chad Tyson of WDVE</figcaption></figure>The 102.5 WDVE sign on a gold-glass building in Green Tree is coming down.Why it matters: The sign is a landmark for drivers on the Parkway West (I-376 west of Downtown) heading into the city.

More older adults in Pittsburgh are choosing to rent

Renting gives some older adults more freedom and less upkeep.

Roughly 18% of Pittsburgh-area renters were 65 or older in 2023, up from about 16% a decade earlier, per a new report by rental listing site <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Point2Homes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.point2homes.com/news/research/senior-age-group-up-over-2-million-renters-in-a-decade.html" data-vars-content-id="e26af73f-d1f7-4288-9c2a-c5395d2e9179" data-vars-headline="More older adults in Pittsburgh are choosing to rent" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.point2homes.com/news/research/senior-age-group-up-over-2-million-renters-in-a-decade.html" target="_blank">Point2Homes</a>.Why it matters: More older Americans are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="renting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/06/apartment-rent-prices" data-vars-content-id="e26af73f-d1f7-4288-9c2a-c5395d2e9179" data-vars-headline="More older adults in Pittsburgh are choosing to rent" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/06/apartment-rent-prices" target="_self">renting</a>, trading ownership for flexibility.

This Mount Washington house has a "one-in-a-million" view

A buildable parcel overlooking Pittsburgh's skyline is on the market.

Pittsburgh&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="skyline view" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/02/18/fnb-center-pittsburgh-skyscraper-opens" data-vars-content-id="c635dea2-c495-41b6-b955-38c8588d7de0" data-vars-headline="This Mount Washington house has a &quot;one-in-a-million&quot; view" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/02/18/fnb-center-pittsburgh-skyscraper-opens" target="_self">skyline view</a> is craved by many and you have a rare chance to buy it, but it will cost you.The intrigue: A parcel at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="316 Cola Street" data-vars-click-url="https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/316-Cola-St-Pittsburgh-PA-15203/164389313_zpid/?view=public" data-vars-content-id="c635dea2-c495-41b6-b955-38c8588d7de0" data-vars-headline="This Mount Washington house has a &quot;one-in-a-million&quot; view" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/316-Cola-St-Pittsburgh-PA-15203/164389313_zpid/?view=public" target="_blank">316 Cola Street</a> in Mount Washington is up for sale, and the property has breathtaking views of PPG Place, the Steel Tower, and the rest of the city&#x27;s iconic skyline.

New Pittsburgh apartments are much smaller

New Pittsburgh apartments are smaller than they were a decade ago, but rents per square foot remain cheaper than the U.S. average.

New <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="apartments" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/39614216.115/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjQvMDkvMjMvYXBhcnRtZW50LWJ1aWxkaW5nLWNvbnN0cnVjdGlvbi1yZW50LXByaWNlcz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/677cf8069128d2417d079074Bc8adbaca" data-vars-content-id="33e98d68-1036-463d-a495-1ebe420bcc8a" data-vars-headline="New Pittsburgh apartments are much smaller" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/39614216.115/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjQvMDkvMjMvYXBhcnRtZW50LWJ1aWxkaW5nLWNvbnN0cnVjdGlvbi1yZW50LXByaWNlcz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/677cf8069128d2417d079074Bc8adbaca" target="_self">apartments</a> in Pittsburgh are 12% smaller than they were in the last decade, RentCafe <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="found" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/39614216.115/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucmVudGNhZmUuY29tL2Jsb2cvcmVudGFsLW1hcmtldC9tYXJrZXQtc25hcHNob3RzL25hdGlvbmFsLWF2ZXJhZ2UtYXBhcnRtZW50LXNpemUvP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/677cf8069128d2417d079074C4400cc29" data-vars-content-id="33e98d68-1036-463d-a495-1ebe420bcc8a" data-vars-headline="New Pittsburgh apartments are much smaller" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/39614216.115/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucmVudGNhZmUuY29tL2Jsb2cvcmVudGFsLW1hcmtldC9tYXJrZXQtc25hcHNob3RzL25hdGlvbmFsLWF2ZXJhZ2UtYXBhcnRtZW50LXNpemUvP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/677cf8069128d2417d079074C4400cc29" target="_self">found</a>.Why it matters: The size of apartments has shrunk in most of the 100 U.S. cities researchers analyzed, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="squeezing" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/39614216.115/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjUvMDMvMTEvYWZmb3JkYWJsZS1ob3VzaW5nLWNyaXNpcz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/677cf8069128d2417d079074Be01ed619" data-vars-content-id="33e98d68-1036-463d-a495-1ebe420bcc8a" data-vars-headline="New Pittsburgh apartments are much smaller" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/39614216.115/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjUvMDMvMTEvYWZmb3JkYWJsZS1ob3VzaW5nLWNyaXNpcz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/677cf8069128d2417d079074Be01ed619" target="_self">squeezing</a> many renters who already pay steep prices.

Cash home sales increase

The share of cash home purchases in Pittsburgh hit its highest level in a decade.

More Pittsburgh homes are being paid for in cash, according to a new report.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="On a national level, cash buyers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/10/covid-home-prices-trends" data-vars-content-id="72bb2946-a3d1-4dc8-a290-205a092e0608" data-vars-headline="Cash home sales increase" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/10/covid-home-prices-trends" target="_self">On a national level, cash buyers</a>, many of them investors, have pulled back after a pandemic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shopping spree" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/02/18/investors-homes-wealth-families" data-vars-content-id="72bb2946-a3d1-4dc8-a290-205a092e0608" data-vars-headline="Cash home sales increase" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/02/18/investors-homes-wealth-families" target="_self">shopping spree</a>.

Downtown skyscraper to get luxe makeover

A piece of Downtown's skyline is about to get a fresh look.

A signature piece of Downtown&#x27;s skyline is about to get a fresh look.Why it matters: New owners of the 45-story One Oxford Centre tower on Grant Street — Downtown&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="third-largest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/subscriber-only/2024/10/11/largest-downtown-pittsburgh-office-buildings.html" data-vars-content-id="e6a0f826-bdb4-46d7-9242-893035ad3044" data-vars-headline="Downtown skyscraper to get luxe makeover" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/subscriber-only/2024/10/11/largest-downtown-pittsburgh-office-buildings.html" target="_blank">third-largest</a> office building — want to restore its status as a &quot;premier business address&quot; after pandemic-era workforce shifts slashed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="office" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/02/20/metro-pittsburgh-office-vacancy-2024" data-vars-content-id="e6a0f826-bdb4-46d7-9242-893035ad3044" data-vars-headline="Downtown skyscraper to get luxe makeover" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/02/20/metro-pittsburgh-office-vacancy-2024" target="_self">office</a> occupancy rates in the city&#x27;s core.

A line chart that shows annual changes in median U.S. home sale prices for luxury and non-luxury homes from March 2014 to April 2026, using a three-month moving average. Luxury peaks at 24.9% in June 2021 and falls to 3.6% by April 2026; non-luxury peaks at 16.2% in April 2022 and eases to 1.4%.

Annual change in median U.S. home sale price

Data: Redfin; Note: Luxury homes are those estimated to be in the top 5% of their metro area's price range, while non-luxury homes fall into the 35th–65th percentile; Chart: Emily Peck/Axios

A bar chart showing the average price difference among homes that sold below their original list price. On average, homes sold for 7.8% less than asking. Homes in West Palm Beach, Fla, Detroit and Fort Lauderdale, Fla. went for 10-11% below asking. Homes in the Seattle metro area went for 5.7% below asking.

Real Estate 🏠

Pittsburgh stands out for luxury homes under $1 million

Luxury home boom hits Pittsburgh

LadderUp Housing expands into Pittsburgh region

Pittsburgh homebuyers score big discounts

Homeowners are staying put in Pittsburgh