Paris to Pittsburgh

Creating Vibrant Streetscapes and Restaurants Through High Quality Design

Sidewalk Activation and Façade Improvement Matching Grant Program

Making Downtown Pittsburgh More Vibrant

2006•Downtown Pittsburgh was showing signs of the impending renaissance that has resulted in $5.2 billion in investment in the central business district•While Downtown was (and continues to be) home to a number of good restaurants, the top of mind response to a question about reasons to go Downtown inevitably centered around offices and services•Restaurants rarely had outdoor seating•At the end of the typical workday, businesses in the CBD be closed up shop and remained closed until Monday morning•The Downtown scene lacked excitement and vibrancyToday•Since 2007, over 50 restaurants have opened their doors•Downtown Pittsburgh is now a destination for dinner and late night dining, as well as weekends•With these extended business hours, better and more interesting restaurants are choosing to open Downtown due to the increased ability to recoup investment •Outdoor dining is a focus of most new restaurant •Visitors and residents who have not been Downtown for a number of years are impressed by the fun and lively atmosphere

What Changed?

• To be sure, the increased interest in higher quality dining and drinking is a national trend

• Increased interest in urban environments is also a national trend• Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership capitalized on both of these trends by

offering a financial incentive to encourage new and existing restaurants to increase the quality and focus of their design

Paris to Pittsburgh

In 2006, the Paris to Pittsburgh Matching Grant Program was created to activate the CBD through pedestrian oriented design. The program promotes physical improvements that will help to enliven Downtown Pittsburgh and looks to Paris’ vibrant street environment for inspiration.

• 50% matching grant up to $30,000/$60,000 for corner properties• Funds can be used for café tables and chairs, café umbrellas, operable

storefront systems, increasing façade transparency, awnings, planters, removal of roll-down security gates, signage, lighting and accessibility improvements

• A volunteer committee of architects meet monthly to review projects

Sonoma GrilleProject Cost- $57,486Paris to Pittsburgh- $28,743

Blank wall of little interest Awnings and outdoor café create a vibrant atmosphere

Buon GiornoProject Cost- $134,491Paris to Pittsburgh- $25,000

Unattractive building with no connection to the sidewalk

Operable storefront enlivens the street scene, as do the other improvements

Moe’s Southwest GrillProject Cost- $86,644Paris to Pittsburgh- $34,350

Two businesses occupy the building, neither connect to the streetscape

Outdoor dining area doubles the seating capacity

Operable storefront

Mitchell’s Restaurant and Banquet CenterProject Cost- $109,871Paris to Pittsburgh- $38,836

Façade does little to attract the passerby Café attracts patrons

Original Fish MarketProject Cost- $28,918Paris to Pittsburgh$14,459

Dead space outside of an office tower Active space

Diamond Market Bar and GrillProject Cost- $236,000Paris to Pittsburgh- $75,000

Outdated façade and cheap plastic furniture

Building façade improved, and canopy has been added to create a 4 season outdoor café. Upper floor window are now operable as well, and are more transparent.

Backstage BarProject Cost- $100,000Paris to Pittsburgh- $25,000

Uninspired privately owned alley Bold canopy adds beauty and attract patron to business located down the alley

• Since 2007, more than 50 projects have been approved and 43 projects have been completed.

• Total investment in completed projects totals $2,057,580 • $749,852 has been grant funded• Street life in Pittsburgh’s urban core