Member Spotlight: Enlivening Our Streetscapes: Paris to Pittsburgh

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Since 2007, pedestrians in the Golden Triangle have been enjoying an increasingly vibrant street-level experience thanks to the Paris to Pittsburgh program, administered by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership.   The concept was originally proposed by Louis D. Astorino of the architecture, engineering and construction firm Astorino, and has been generously supported by Colcom Foundation.   The initiative takes its inspiration from the pedestrian experience in great world cities like Paris, promoting improvements to the physical environment that enliven downtown Pittsburgh for everyone to appreciate.

The Paris to Pittsburgh program helps to revitalize properties throughout downtown, encouraging outdoor sidewalk dining, enhanced landscape elements, improved signage, greater accessibility and full building façade renovations.  To date, the program has funded 73 projects in downtown Pittsburgh resulting in more than $4.6 million in private investment, of which $1.7 million was funded through the grant program.   View before and after photos of some completed projects.

“Through their investment in the Paris to Pittsburgh program, Colcom Foundation has demonstrated a commitment to restoring and revitalizing properties throughout Downtown, ensuring that Downtown Pittsburgh remains vibrant and beautiful,” said Jeremy Waldrup, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership.

John Rohe, Vice President of Philanthropy of Colcom Foundation, notes, “By restoring historic facades and opening restaurants to outdoor dining, Paris to Pittsburgh draws on the charm of European cities. It builds community. With eyes on the street, it promotes security. This is home. Thank you, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, for enabling livability to just happen.”

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