"Pittsburgh's Living Room": Urban Land Institute Shares Vision for Point Park University's Role in Downtown Renaissance Thursday, May 9, 2024

With a strong arts presence and a central location that's easily accessed with public transit, Point Park University has what it would take to convert Downtown Pittsburgh from a business district to a thriving central neighborhood, according to city planning experts.  

Point Park recently welcomed experts from the Urban Land Institute (ULI) to conduct an advisory panel study on the University's role in the future development of Downtown Pittsburgh. The goal was to assess the opportunities and challenges the University faces as it continues to develop plans for growth laid out in Pioneer Vision 2030. 

"Downtowns are going to become centers of arts, recreation and entertainment,"said President Chris W. Brussalis. "That happens to be our sweet spot at Point Park University." 

The ULI panel recognized the University's ability to play a leading role in the next phase of Downtown Pittsburgh's renaissance. In their preliminary findings, the panel notes that Pittsburgh has a number of destinations that are not currently connected, and the central location of the University sets it up to create a "people-centered design with good connectivity." 

During Friday's public session, Leigh Ferguson, a consultant for LMF Holdings and JMB Companies who chaired the study, said, “We see a potential for a vibrant, healthy and blossoming place that can well be the living room of your region. Point Park University can be a major catalyst in this work but cannot and should not be expected to do it alone. It literally will take a village. ... Someone needs to wake up every morning with this as their primary occupation.”

This vision paints a picture of a thriving, community-oriented future for the region, with Point Park playing a key role as a catalyst. However, as Ferguson noted, it will require a collaborative, community-wide effort to realize this vision.  

Funded by The Benter Foundation, The Heinz Endowments and the Henry L. Hillman Foundation, the weeklong engagement included an immersive walking tour of the campus and Downtown area, as well as a comprehensive series of stakeholder interviews. 

Over the next few months, the ULI experts will compile a detailed report on their assessments and recommendations, which Point Park expects to receive later this summer. 

The ULI previously convened an advisory panel in 2007 as the University was planning its expansion with the Academic Village project. In 2013, the ULI honored Point Park with an Award for Excellence for the development of Village Park.

Check out local coverage of the panel:

• "Studying Point Park's Role Downtown," WTAE. 
•  "Point Park Study Recommends University Bolster Its Downtown Presence," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
•  "ULI Panel Charts Potential Strategies for Point Park University to Pursue Campus Expansion Downtown," Pittsburgh Business Times.
• "Point Park Study Recommends University Bolster Its Downtown Presence," The Danville News.

 

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