A Message from URA Executive Director Greg Flisram

Hello Pittsburgh!

My name is Greg Flisram and I am honored to be joining the Urban Redevelopment Authority as the new Executive Director. I come here from Kansas City; I'm originally from Wisconsin (yes, I’m a Cheesehead!), but I’m really excited to be working and living in the beautiful City of Pittsburgh.

This is an important time for Pittsburgh. There’s a lot going on and I think the city is really well positioned in terms of how to grow the economy. You’ve got emerging tech and major research happening here, the scenic setting is amazing, the geographic location is great, and word is getting out about the affordable lifestyle here compared to other east coast cities.

In addition, the city gets a lot of play in urban planning and urbanism media. Pittsburgh is a national model of economic revival and reinvention that many other postindustrial cities have had their eyes on for a long time and want to emulate.

Pittsburgh has made great strides but there still is a lot of work to do.

Mayor Peduto has put together a dynamic new team to refocus and achieve the economic development goals of the city. The Mayor and his leadership are having direct conversations about what is really important and how economic development evolves, talking about the environment, creating affordable housing, providing opportunities for entrepreneurs, and encouraging vibrancy and wealth in neighborhoods that haven’t seen investment in a long time. I’m proud to be a part of this team and am aligned with the Mayor’s vision.

The URA is heading in a bold new direction, centering its strategy on creating an exemplary quality of life for all Pittsburghers. Collaboration and communication are key – across internal departments and with outside partners and the community. We’ll be working to connect with all our neighbors, hearing your great ideas and challenges, and getting the word out about what the URA does and how we can use economic development to help write Pittsburgh's next chapter and to spread prosperity to neighborhoods and populations that have not been lifted by the rising tide.

I am looking forward to getting to know the Pittsburgh community and carrying on the great and important work of the URA. Many thanks to Deputy Executive Director Diamonte Walker for providing key leadership both during the interim and going forward. Her wisdom and patience has been --and will continue to be-- invaluable to say the very least.

Yours in Service,
Greg