Looking Back on a Year of Progress for Pittsburgh
A Message from URA Executive Director Susheela Nemani-Stanger
As we prepare to transition from 2025 into 2026, I’m proud to reflect on the progress the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA) made this year, and the important work still ahead to deliver lasting, equitable impact across our city.
Reimagining Downtown Pittsburgh
This October marked one year since Governor Shapiro launched a $600 million plan to revitalize Downtown Pittsburgh. The URA, alongside our regional partners, remains deeply committed to this shared vision: transforming Downtown into a more livable, vibrant neighborhood where people can live, work, and play.
Over the past year, we’ve made significant progress advancing residential conversion and preservation projects that reimagine vacant office space as much-needed housing for individuals and families across a range of economic backgrounds, while preserving the city’s historic character and contributing to Downtown’s vitality. To date, the URA has committed more than $36 million to support the creation of 1,000+ homes, including 510 affordable units for hardworking individuals and families. One project is already complete, another is under construction, and several more are expected to close on financing and break ground in the coming months.
We also joined partners to celebrate major public realm milestones, including the start of construction at Arts Landing and the halfway point of Market Square’s renovation. These investments in public spaces will create new opportunities for connection, vibrancy and cultural experiences for residents, workers, and visitors alike.
Strengthening Neighborhoods and Advancing Economic Growth
Neighborhood and community development remain central to our mission. We know that building strong neighborhoods requires a holistic approach, one that supports small businesses, housing, and public spaces for community gathering, arts, and retail. Just last month, we brought together East Liberty community partners and local officials to celebrate the completion of Broad Street Plaza and the transfer of the property to the City of Pittsburgh, where it will be dedicated as a new public park.
We also saw long-anticipated large-scale developments take shape, including the Esplanade project. This transformational riverfront project will unlock new investments in the Manchester neighborhood, support critical public infrastructure, create jobs, and establish an exciting new destination for Pittsburghers and visitors.
With the expiration of the option agreement between the SEA, URA, and PAR for the Lower Hill development site, we remain committed to working with partners to ensure that future development delivers inclusive growth and economic opportunities, reflecting the priorities Hill District residents have long advocated for. Even amid uncertainty, we’re encouraged by the forward momentum of the Greater Hill District Neighborhood Reinvestment Fund, which recently launched three new grant programs focused on development, workforce training, and children, youth, and education initiatives, promising nearly $1.3 million in targeted investment in the Greater Hill District and its residents.
Supporting Our Small Businesses
Supporting small businesses and neighborhood business districts continues to be a core priority for the URA. Our URA and InvestPGH business lending experts go above and beyond to meet entrepreneurs where they are, sometimes quite literally. Throughout 2025, our staff walked neighborhood business corridors alongside elected officials and neighborhood leaders, checking in directly with business owners to better understand their needs and connect them with our financing programs and technical assistance. So far this year, staff closed more than 30 small business loans across our lending programs, putting nearly $3.1 million to work into our neighborhoods. We also provided 600 hours of technical assistance, all while staff could be found tabling at local events, engaging business districts, and presenting information on financing and resources to the small business community.
Advancing Affordable Housing
The URA remains a champion for affordable housing, promoting equitable housing solutions and ensuring Pittsburghers can not only get by, but thrive, without the burden of housing insecurity.
This fall, we celebrated the completion of the Reed, the first phase of the $50 million Bedford Dwellings Choice Neighborhoods Initiative. This historic effort will rebuild the city’s oldest public housing complex and help transform the Hill District. Made possible by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the initiative follows a “build first, move once” strategy to reduce displacement and support long-term residents.
Our dedicated staff and program partners also continued the Housing Opportunity Fund’s legacy as a critical resource for creating and preserving affordable housing citywide. Allocated across eight distinct programs, the HOF assists vulnerable families facing housing emergencies and also fosters the development of new affordable housing opportunities. These programs continue to support long-term solutions to the City’s pressing housing challenges.
In addition, through our historic Affordable Housing Bond issuance with the City of Pittsburgh, the URA has already deployed funds to support 14 projects, and we are on track to exceed the bond’s original goals by creating or preserving 1,142 rental and for-sale housing units within the fund’s first three years.
These investments are key to building a more inclusive, equitable, and prosperous future for all current and future Pittsburgh residents.
Looking Ahead
The new year will begin with a mayoral transition, which the URA is prepared to navigate given our long history of advancing mission-driven work across administrations. I want to thank Mayor Gainey for his genuine partnership and support in advancing inclusive growth across Pittsburgh. We look forward to working with the incoming O’Connor administration, aligning shared priorities, and carrying our current momentum into 2026.
As we embark on a new year, we’re also preparing to celebrate the URA’s 80th anniversary. This milestone is a meaningful opportunity to recommit ourselves to our mission to create a prosperous and equitable Pittsburgh.
Our staff will take a well-deserved break during our annual office closure from December 29, 2025 through January 2, 2026. This time to rest and recharge will help set the course for another impactful year serving the people of Pittsburgh!
In Service,
Susheela Nemani-Stanger
