By Sean P. Ray | Managing Editor

ALLEGHENY COMMONS — Another section of Allegheny Commons Park’s North Promenade has a new look, and the city held a ribbon cutting ceremony on April 30 to celebrate.

Mayor Ed Gainey, Councilman Bobby Wilson and representatives from Duquesne Light Company (DLC), The Buhl Foundation, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and more were present to help commemorate the newly renovated section of the promenade. The Perry High School band was also present to play music as part of the celebration ceremony.

This was the second phase of the promenade to see renovation, and stretches from Federal Street to the George Washington Monument at W. North Ave and Arch Street.

The completed segment was filled with tables from various city departments and organizations for the ribbon cutting, handing out free gifts, information and having games and activities for attendees to enjoy.

Gainey hailed the project as a sign of cooperation between city departments and the private sector, as well as an effective example of the city not working in “silos.”

“One thing about this city is that we’ve always had silos,” he said. “We’ve always tried to work in silos and I don’t believe in silos. I believe in building a city, you need everybody.”

The project was supported by many sources of funding and multiple agencies, most notably a $1 million contribution from DLC and $800,000 allocated from the City of Pittsburgh Parks Tax Trust Fund, the first public-private project funded through the Parks Tax.

Councilman Wilson highlighted this fact during his remarks.

“This is your Parks Tax money at work,” he said. “Even if you didn’t support it at the polls, if you didn’t support it, this is your hard-paid tax dollars at work.”

Wilson said the renovations are a way to retain local residents and keep them.

“We don’t want people moving away from Pittsburgh,” he said. “We want them in this area.”

The newly completed section has new surfacing, new energy-efficient lights, canopy tree plantings and a new water-resistant surface around the George Washington Monument. It follows on an earlier section of the Promenade which was renovated back in 2021, and is the final phase of the Promenade’s renovation.

“This is a pivotal moment in the history of Pittsburgh’s oldest public park,” said Catherine Qureshi, president and CEO of Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. “This $2 million project signifies more than just a physical revitalization. It represents a renewed sense of community spirit and pride.”

Qureshi said “every aspect” of the project had been planned to ensure the park remains “vibrant for generations to come.” She specifically called out the new canopy trees, the accessibility improvements and the resurfacing of the pathway.

She further mentioned the importance of input from the Northside community in the project, especially in terms of safety and increased lighting.

Attendees at the Promenade ribbon cutting ceremony check out booths from various organizations and city departments. Photo by Sean P. Ray

“Tonight we will relight Allegheny Commons and will appreciate the vibrancy of this special space thanks to the brand new light fixtures that will be illuminated for all to enjoy,” she said.

Kevin Walker, president and CEO of DLC, called the project a highlight in the 25 years the company has partnered with the Parks Conservancy. As mentioned, DLC contributed $1 million toward the project, including installing 15 new but historical-looking LED lights along the promenade.

Dianna Bucco, president of the Buhl Foundation, called on attendees to celebrate “the power of community resiliency, tenacity, partnership and collaboration.”

“We must not forget that tonight is the result of decades of Northside resident leadership and advocacy that led to the development of Allegheny Commons Park and the master plan,” Bucco said.

“(T)hank you to the residents of the Northside,” she said later. “It is because of your collective hard work, dedication and advocacy for this park that it is now brighter, safer and more accessible.”

Bucco finished up her remarks by saying that the “Northside’s front yard looks pretty beautiful.”

Jerome Jackson, executive director of Northside Leadership Conference, especially celebrated the new lighting. He shared his childhood memories of the park, having grown up a few blocks away. He said he could recall how dark Allegheny Commons would get at night.

“When I was younger, walking through the park (at night) was not something you did,” he said.

Councilman Wilson, speaking with The Chronicle after the ceremony, said he wants to see further renovations of the walking paths around Allegheny Commons, work started with the Promenade.