City Council
Cultural Trust wants to take city street for its venue.
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust wants the city to give it part of 8th Street for an outdoor venue. A council member raised concerns about giving up public riverfront property and suggested a lease instead. For now, council didn't send the bill to a vote. Members want to explore options such as an extended lease and ensuring public passage.
Written by Amy Whipple
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust hopes to paint Downtown with a wider brush.
The trust requested the city transfer ownership of 8th Street from Penn Avenue to Fort Duquesne Boulevard for its forthcoming Arts Landing Outdoor Venue. It also asked for a portion of Maddock Place and a right of way alley abutting 819-821 Penn Avenue.
Council Member Deb Gross of Highland Park expressed concern about giving up public riverfront property. She suggested compromising with a 35-year lease, like the arrangement with the Pittsburgh Zoo, instead of a transfer.
The trust’s proposal said the land would support safe public access to its four-acre site. Gross asked if council could prohibit the trust from walling in the site—ensuring public passage—as it did with the Produce Terminal in the Strip District.
Work on the venue began in April. The trust intends to have a soft opening for the NFL Draft in April 2026 and a grand opening in June with the annual arts festival. The trust owns much of the surrounding area and provided letters of support from three neighboring property owners.
Council did not move the bill forward to a voting agenda. It wants to explore options, such as an extended lease and ensuring public passage, for the property.
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