ANNUAL REPORT ANNUAL REPORT 2019 1 The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership is a dynamic, nonprofit organization comprised of business and community leaders, property owners, civic organizations, and residents who provide energy, vision, and advocacy for Downtown Pittsburgh. Our strategic initiatives include clean and safe services, transportation, and economic development and advocacy to enhance the Downtown neighborhood. A LOOK BACK Hindsight may be 20/20 but, as we look back upon 2019, cities for jobs. Walk Score® deemed Downtown as the the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership can say with most walkable neighborhood in Pittsburgh as well as confidence that we kept our eye on the future—while having the best public transit access. Looking forward, we simultaneously addressing a multitude of important are confident that Downtown’s momentum will continue. demands of the day. This was a balancing act of keeping our heads firmly grounded in reality while looking forward AFTER ALL, OVER THE LAST DECADE, with big ideas. It entailed everything from long-term planning for better ways in which to get around Downtown, DOWNTOWN EXPERIENCED A 31 PERCENT to exploring innovative approaches that encourage GROWTH IN RESIDENTIAL POPULATION, Downtown business development, and taking action to tackle critical issues around public safety and health. A TREND THAT WILL PROJECT UPWARDS WITH THE OPENING OF HUNDREDS OF NEW To be successful, we know these issues must be addressed head on. We remain encouraged by the UNITS OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS. progress we’ve seen in 2019 through community involvement and are heartened by the hands-on Downtown Pittsburgh has been and continues to engagement of our members and Board of Directors, be re-imagined. The momentum is real. And, to civic leaders, and community partners. ensure a vibrant, successful Downtown, we will continue to stay mission focused: fostering economic Challenges aside, Pittsburgh already has so many growth and vitality here in the heart of the city. incredible assets of which to be proud. Last year, the view from Mt. Washington was dubbed one of the most Instagram-worthy views in the nation by TripAdvisor readers. WalletHub said Pittsburgh is one of the best ANNUAL REPORT 2019 1 CLEAN & SAFE Proactively working to make Downtown Pittsburgh and evening rush hours by placing Clean Team members a cleaner, safer, and more inviting place to be is along the busiest bus routes and key thoroughfares. one of the most important functions that we work hard at every day. We don’t do this in a vacuum, Our volunteer program supplements Clean Team activities of course; it takes a multitude of hardworking with impactful clean-up projects and key detail tasks. people, vested businesses, important government We’re grateful for the corporations, organizations, and agencies, key safety officials, and compassionate individuals who volunteer their time to help us keep the charitable organizations to make this happen. riverfront parks, trails, and green spaces looking good. Standing out in their bright yellow and black uniforms, our Clean Team members are stand outs 3,240 in their own right. They are making Downtown look VOLUNTEERS ENGAGED better, brighter, and most certainly cleaner. CONSIDER THIS: 14,282 VOLUNTEER HOURS COMPLETED LAST YEAR, THE CLEAN TEAM REMOVED (23% INCREASE OVER 2018) THE EQUIVALENT OF A GRAND PIANO IN CIGARETTE BUTTS ALONE. With graffiti removed and fixtures like light poles and bollards repainted and refreshed, Downtown Pittsburgh continues to look and feel inviting. Through a contract with Thanks to enhanced Clean Team services with modified Renewal, Inc.—a Downtown nonprofit that helps people in routes and cleaning routines, the overall cleanliness of the criminal justice system return to society as responsible Downtown in 2019 was noticeably improved during morning 2 ANNUAL REPORT 2019 983,690 lbs. OF TRASH REMOVED (11% INCREASE OVER 2018) 1,202 lbs. OF CIGARETTE BUTTS RECYCLED 5,021 SITES OF GRAFFITI REMOVED 5,467 INTERACTIONS OF HOSPITALITY ASSISTANCE ANNUAL REPORT 2019 3 CLEAN & SAFE CONTINUED citizens—we power washed our way through city sidewalks, key alleyways, and Market Square five nights a week. Our Park Ambassadors are a welcoming presence in Market Square. They provide information to tourists, enforce the “No Smoking” city ordinance, and help facilitate all weekly Market Square activities. Last year, Park Ambassadors staffed Market Square for a total of 1,470 hours. EXPANDED CLEAN-UP RESULTS Through contracts with the City of Pittsburgh and Project Clean Sweep, our Clean Team spruced up the South Side and Strip District in 2019 resulting in: 152,971 lbs. OF TRASH PICKED UP OUTREACH IMPACTS We’re serious about safety and 2019 marked a year of unprecedented outreach and positive inroad into this critical 932 realm. The first full year of quarterly Downtown Clean and SITES OF GRAFFITI/STICKERS REMOVED Safe Community Forums, in partnership with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, provided hundreds of stakeholders with an opportunity to hear directly from public safety officials about 442 efforts that are effectively addressing public safety concerns BLOCK FACES WEEDED to make certain Downtown remains a vibrant destination. 4 ANNUAL REPORT 2019 police and stakeholders, and the promise of a more 3,844 comprehensive delivery model for those in need PANHANDLING INTERACTIONS of social services. By bringing everyone to the table, we are proactively engaged in ways to work together to support a safe community for everyone 1,305 living in, working in, and visiting Downtown. HOMELESS SUPPORT Our Outreach Team exemplifies a shared SERVICES INITIATED commitment to assist people who are the most vulnerable. While advocating for the expansion of mental health services and more effective case 58 management for those dealing with hardships in PEOPLE ASSISTED Downtown, we continued daily efforts to engage INTO HOUSING individuals experiencing homelessness, panhandling, or in need of supportive services. To establish We advocated for a more visible police presence relationships, the Outreach Team provided helpful on the street to ensure Downtown continues to be items such as toiletries, socks, and hand warmers. a welcoming and safe community. Over the year, The goal is to build the trust needed to support we convened stakeholders as part of the Downtown these individuals and help connect them with Safety Coalition, a partnership of law enforcement appropriate services to get them off the street. officials, Downtown schools, and government— enhancing the relationships between students and police officers while providing opportunities for growth and development of students in Downtown. These efforts have resulted in a more consistent police presence, relationships developing with ANNUAL REPORT 2019 5 EVENTS & ACTIVATIONS Whether it’s a one-time pop-up event or weekly series, The 59th Annual Comcast Light Up Night® wintertime public art installation or live music, we remain committed celebration again served as the kickoff to the holiday to enlivening Downtown for residents, visitors, and season featuring headliner Adam Lambert on the Comcast workers alike. Last year was an exceptional year with Main Stage. We celebrated the music of Fred Rogers bigger, better, and even more lively programming. at the EQT Jazzmaster Stage, which included a special appearance by kids’ favorite Daniel Tiger. The Xfinity Activations in 2019 included Night Markets in Market Experience on the Roberto Clemente Bridge offered up Square that featured upwards of 170 artisans and free hot cocoa and holiday card photos. We transformed 12 community music partners, Summer KidsPlay, Fort Duquesne Boulevard into a pedestrian promenade Pop Up Fashion Markets, and new Health & Wellness with festive lighting and picnic tables. And it ended with Fairs. Yoga in the Square expanded to Wednesdays a bang, thanks to the BNY Mellon Fireworks Finale. after work, as well as Sunday mornings. In collaboration with many community partners, Holiday KidsPlay at Heinz Hall Courtyard was a hit for the 170 second year. New in 2019, we featured appearances by ARTISANS FEATURED IN costumed characters from Fred Rogers Productions. WEEKLY NIGHT MARKETS Attendance surpassed last year, with 7,000 visitors, and a peak daily attendance of nearly 1,000. Dancing in the Square offered free weekly outdoor Despite a shortened holiday shopping season, vendors dance classes featuring new styles each month. at the Peoples Gas Holiday Market™ reported sales as The popular Market Square Farmers Market strong as or stronger than the previous year. Special remained a seasonal staple that showcased programming was expanded and included a full day visit more than 50 local farmers and vendors. from NBC Sports’ Sunday Night Football bus and pep 6 ANNUAL REPORT 2019 2,380 HOURS OF PROGRAMMING 356 EVENTS, ACTIVATIONS, AND PROGRAMS 10,000 ATTENDED KIDSPLAY EVENTS 238 MUSICAL PERFORMANCES ANNUAL REPORT 2019 7 8 ANNUAL REPORT 2019 EVENTS & ACTIVATIONS CONTINUED rallies from finalists competing during the NCAA Volleyball PUBLIC ART IN PUBLIC “STREAMING SPACE” Championships. We also expanded Holiday Karaoke to For the last several years, the Market Square Public include a popular weekend open mic and the $1,000 Art program, in partnership with the City of Pittsburgh Karaoke Championship. Public Art and Civic Design Division, commissioned inspiring work by artists from around the globe. 5,645 SANTA PHOTOS TAKEN $152,000 INVESTED IN ART AND ARTISTS $60,000 GENERATED BY SANTA’S HOUSE Installations in 2019 were designed by Pittsburgh-based FOR THE GREATER PITTSBURGH artists Ricardo Iamuuri Robinson and Alisha B. Wormsley. COMMUNITY FOOD BANK “STREAMING SPACE,” A 24-FOOT TALL PYRAMID In an effort to further enliven Downtown during the heavily WITH MOUNTED LED SCREENS, TRANSFORMED visited period between the Christmas holiday and New Year’s Eve, the chalets at Market Square were programmed for the MARKET SQUARE FOR ONE MONTH INTO A SPACE first time. A variety of local handcrafted work was available for FOR VIDEO, PERFORMANCE, AND SOUND THAT sale through a partnership with Handmade Arcade, a pioneer in Pittsburgh’s maker movement.