An interesting public space development project in Downtown Pittsburgh: extends the range of after-work activities to keep office workers engaged

Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is developing a multi-faceted public space-park in Downtown Pittsburgh ("'Asset for the people:' Pittsburgh Cultural Trust unveils name, more details of Eighth Street block overhaul Downtown").  This is interesting for a couple reasons.  

First, it involves other public organizations focused on Downtown improvement, creating public spaces where consumption of food and drink is not necessarily a primary activity.  Second it looks to be addressing multiple demographics, including kids, when planning for children was never a priority before.  

Third, it takes daypart and attraction management to new levels (Planning programming by daypart, month, season: and Boston Winter Garden, DC's Holiday Market, etc.") whereas spaces like these were never really a priority, at least in terms of planning and programming--sometimes such spaces were created as part of development agreements, but then left to languish.

-- "The layering effect: how the building blocks of an integrated public realm set the stage for community building and Silver Spring, Maryland as an example," (2012)

It's a different way of staying Downtown compared to consumption of alcohol indoors after work, and is responsive to declines in alcohol consumption by younger demographics ("Why Gen Z Is Drinking Less," TIME)..  Although public beer gardens are a method chosen by Philadelphia Horticultural Society and later the Parks Department, alongside Milwaukee to activate spaces ("Cities Want Young Families to Play and Stay: New Features Include Parks, Playgrounds and Beer Gardens," Wall Street Journal, 2014).

Fourth, it reminds me of a point made in Learning from Bryant Park, that commercial district revitalization organizations should take a more active role in developing unique spaces that extend the range of activities available to patrons. 

Fifth, it extends the range of third places ("Third place issues") where consumer consumption isn't a requirement.  And it's close to the Allegheny River.

Pittsburgh, meet Arts Landing. That’s the name for the new $31 million Downtown gathering and play space being proposed by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust on Eighth Street bordering Penn Avenue and Fort Duquesne Boulevard.

On Thursday, officials from the Cultural Trust, county and city dropped the name and more details about the four-acre spot, which will include a great lawn, a bandshell for concerts, a play area, a garden walk, pickleball courts and a small running track. “This will be a place for co-workers to meet after work, for families to bring their kids down to play — for people to go out on their first dates,” Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato said. “It’s really going to become an incredible asset for the people of Pittsburgh for generations to come.”

... “This is not a short-term fix or an incremental improvement to an existing space,” Mr. Holmberg said Thursday. “This is reimagining and building an entirely new destination that will delight and benefit our community.” The centerpiece of Arts Landing will be the “great lawn,” a one-acre green space along the Allegheny River and between the Andy Warhol and Rachel Carson bridges. A bandshell will be located in the northwest corner of the gathering spot near Fort Duquesne Boulevard. It will be used for concerts and performances.

... “It’s really meant to be a people-first focused space,” said Lisa Tziona Switkin, a partner at Field Operations, the architecture firm designing the project. Other Arts Landing features include a play area for children and families — designed with the help of a focus group of 8-year-olds, Mr. Holmberg said. A new visitor center will also be located on the ground floors of two Cultural Trust-owned buildings at 819 and 821 Penn near the Ninth Street intersection. The center will include public restrooms.

Note that past blog entries have referenced Pittsburgh Cultural Trust as national best practice.

-- "The Howard and Lincoln Theatres: run them like the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust/Playhouse Square Cleveland model" (2012)