By Sean P. Ray | Managing Editor

The 2025 Pennsylvania Primary Election is taking place this month, on May 20. For Pittsburghers, perhaps the most important race of the season is for the seat of Mayor of Pittsburgh.

Democratic candidate Ed Gainey is seeking to retain his position, having become the first African-American mayor of Pittsburgh in 2022. He’s being challenged in the Democratic primary by Corey O’Connor, who is currently serving as Allegheny County controller and previously was a member of Pittsburgh City Council, holding that position for 10 years.

Meanwhile, in the Republican race, clothing store owner Thomas West is facing off against retired police officer Tony Moreno. The latter of the two candidates is a Northsider, residing in Brighton Heights.

The Northside Chronicle sent out a questionnaire to the four candidates to get their perspectives on the issues which matter most to Northsiders and received responses back from all four candidates.

The answers they provided are printed below verbatim, save for minor stylistic editing where needed, in the order in which the questionnaires were returned to The Chronicle and color-coded by party. The Democratic candidates’ names are in blue before their answers and the Republicans in red. In addition, all candidates were permitted to send in a photo of themselves to be printed in the questionnaire. Of the four, West and O’Connor provided photos.

Polls are open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., though people in line to vote by 8 p.m. can remain so until they get the chance to cast their ballot. Visit pavoterservices.pa.gov/Pages/PollingPlaceInfo.aspx to find your polling location.

Now, onto the questionnaire:

1) Affordable Housing Initiatives: What strategies will you implement to increase affordable housing options in the Northside?

West: As Mayor, I will prioritize public-private partnerships to increase affordable housing across the Northside. This means incentivizing developers through streamlined permitting and tax abatements when they commit to mixed-income developments, especially near transit corridors. I will also work with local nonprofits and faith-based organizations to preserve naturally occurring affordable housing and rehabilitate vacant properties. Ensuring that working families, seniors, and young professionals can afford to live in our neighborhoods is not just `good policy — it strengthens our community fabric.

O’Connor: Pittsburgh is facing a housing crisis, and the Northside is no exception. Outdated zoning and a broken permitting process have stalled hundreds of potential new units. The current administration has no clear or honest housing strategy. Residents are told thousands of units are in progress, but few are ever built. As Mayor, I will modernize the zoning code and fix the permitting system to get new housing built. I will focus on mixed-income development that includes both affordable and market-rate units, and I will prioritize turning vacant lots and empty buildings into homes. I have a strong record on affordable housing, from creating the Housing Opportunity Fund to protecting tenants and supporting projects in Hazelwood and Squirrel Hill. I will bring that same commitment to the Northside. Pittsburgh needs more housing across the income spectrum, and I will make sure we build it and help residents stay in their communities.

Gainey: Pittsburgh’s Northside is one of our city’s largest and most diverse areas, making it both attractive and affordable for many types of residents. It remains one of the few parts of the city where people are born, raise their children, and watch those children raise families of their own — creating deep roots, institutional knowledge, and a strong sense of place. As a result, the Northside is home to several powerful community and advocacy organizations focused on housing, many of which helped shape my Keep Pittsburgh Home (KPH) program.

Northside neighborhoods have experienced many of the same pressures that lead to the loss of affordable housing — though not yet with the intensity seen in East Liberty or the Strip District. To protect the future for Northside families, now is the time to act. We must pass my comprehensive affordable housing package requiring that 10% of new buildings with 20 or more units are priced affordably for low-income residents. And we need to implement my Keep Pittsburgh Home plan, which takes proactive steps to protect affordability and prevent displacement. This includes offering new incentives for developers and first-time homeowners, reinvesting in public housing, and maintaining a balance between affordable and market- rate housing—and between long- and short-term rentals.

Moreno: Go to the communities in need of housing, decide the affordability of the community housing needs and build to those needs. Build more housing, stop controlling rents with immigration housing policies and releasing properties being held hostage by the URA that keeps rents and home prices too high for the working poor.

2) Inclusionary Zoning Policies: Do you support inclusionary zoning reforms in the Northside? Why?

West: I support common-sense inclusionary zoning reforms that encourage — not mandate — affordable housing through voluntary incentives. A one-size-fits-all mandate risks deterring development or driving up costs for everyone. I believe in offering tools like density bonuses and expedited approvals to developers who contribute to long-term affordability. Any zoning reform must balance growth with economic feasibility, keeping Pittsburgh attractive for investment while ensuring all residents benefit from progress.

O’Connor: I supported inclusionary zoning while on City Council, voting for it in neighborhoods like Lawrenceville, Polish Hill, Bloomfield, and Oakland, places where the market conditions made it viable. But a blanket mandate like the Mayor’s one-size-fits-all proposal ignores the reality that housing markets differ dramatically from one neighborhood to the next. The Northside needs real investment, not an election-year stunt rushed out without meaningful community input. The best way to lower housing costs is to build more housing. Cities like Minneapolis and Cincinnati are proving that increasing supply leads to more affordability. Pittsburgh needs a serious, citywide housing strategy that meets each neighborhood where it is and supports growth, affordability, and stability.

This isn’t about ideology, it’s about what works. We need more housing options, not more political gimmicks.

Gainey: Yes. Every neighborhood in this city should have affordable housing so we can keep people in their homes and make developers pay their fair share. My comprehensive housing affordability package includes citywide inclusionary zoning, which requires all large new developments to include 10% affordable housing in every neighborhood. In exchange, we’ve eliminated outdated barriers to building new housing, such as lot size and parking regulations. This plan is critical — we need homes for low- and moderate-income people so they don’t get pushed out. We need homes for the health care worker with two children making $45,000 a year. I’m fighting to make that a reality.

Moreno: IZ artificially manipulates the housing market and has proven to be an abject failure. When the City of Pittsburgh government decides that a housing market is growing too fast and has to be slowed down by IZ , the government officials that brought this into the city should be held responsible for this decade long disaster that we are still talking about today and have squandered over $100 million to unnamed actors.

3) Public Safety: What specific steps will you take to enhance public safety in Northside neighborhoods, particularly addressing concerns about crime, traffic safety, and panhandling along East Street, Madison Avenue, and East Ohio Street near I-279 while ensuring the well-being of residents and small businesses?

West: Keeping Northside residents and businesses safe is a top priority. I will increase community policing, ensure visible patrols in high-traffic areas like East Street and East Ohio Street, and enhance collaboration with neighborhood watch groups. We’ll address panhandling through compassionate outreach paired with enforcement where needed, connecting individuals to services without tolerating aggressive behavior. Traffic safety improvements — like better lighting, signage, and speed enforcement — will also be implemented to protect pedestrians, cyclists and drivers alike. Public safety is the foundation for neighborhood revitalization.

O’Connor: Public safety starts with honest leadership and real investment, not political spin. The Northside faces real concerns about crime, panhandling, and traffic safety along East Street, Madison Avenue, and East Ohio Street. Instead of action, we’ve had revolving-door police leadership, broken EMS vehicles, and no follow-through on promised safety hubs. As Mayor, I’ll appoint a full-time Police Chief committed to Pittsburgh, expand the co-response model citywide, restore community policing units, and open six safety hubs with mental health and homelessness resources. I’ll fix EMS staffing shortages, invest in updated equipment, and improve emergency response across the city. Pittsburgh also needs a serious, compassionate approach to homelessness. The current strategy is reactive and ineffective. I’ll work with service providers and other governments to coordinate wraparound care, use data to better match people with resources, and secure more funding for long-term housing solutions. We must invest in low- and moderate-income housing and workforce housing to meet the needs of all our residents. Northside neighborhoods deserve safety strategies that actually work and a Mayor who leads with urgency, not excuses. I’ll focus on prevention, faster response, and real support for residents and small businesses.

Gainey: My administration approaches public safety as an integrated system of crime prevention and community response — focused on getting the right help to the right people at the right time. We’ve prioritized retraining officers in community policing to build trust with the neighborhoods they serve and are running multiple training classes each year to steadily grow the force.

At the same time, we’ve expanded the Office of Community Health and Safety from a small initiative to a fully staffed social service agency with social workers, violence interrupters, and mental health professionals working along to reduce violence, homelessness, and addiction. We’re now training paramedics in-house, which has dramatically reduced overtime and out-of-service units.

These efforts have made a measurable difference across the Northside — from North Avenue and Allegheny Commons to the river trails — but we know there’s more work to do, especially around I-279. To meet that need, we’re applying the same cross-agency strategy we used downtown and on Carson Street: assembling a team of government and community partners that meets regularly, shares information, and coordinates solutions. We’re now launching this same approach along the East Ohio corridor.

Moreno: Simply use law enforcement officers to enforce current laws and ordinances. I proved the success of managing these issues as an acting Pittsburgh police officer in keeping Market Square free from drugs and panhandling. We witnessed the growth of these areas, only to have the current mayoral candidates stop providing law enforcement protection and services.

In 2020 Corey O’Connor voted to defund $9 million from the police budget (per year) and five years later, we are short hundreds of police officers. We actually have zero coverage now during overnight shifts and that is UNACCEPTABLE!

They also stopped utilizing the CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM training (C.I.T) and de-escalation training for officers … critical training for disarming a situation without force.

Hiring officers and restoring the city to full-service police will be my first priority!

4) Transportation and Infrastructure: How will you improve transportation and infrastructure in the Northside to make our streets safer and better connect residents to their communities?

West: Northside residents deserve safe streets and reliable connections. My administration will focus on fixing potholes, modernizing traffic signals, and investing in pedestrian- friendly infrastructure like crosswalks and sidewalks. I will advocate for smarter traffic flow around I-279 and improve public transit reliability so residents can access jobs, healthcare, and schools more easily. Infrastructure should serve people — not politics — and I’ll make sure taxpayer dollars go to projects that improve everyday life.

O’Connor: Northside residents deserve safe, accessible, and reliable transportation options. I support a Complete Streets approach that makes roads safer for everyone, whether they are walking, biking, or driving. This includes traffic calming tools like bump-outs, speed humps, and pedestrian islands. Preventing reckless driving is just as important as enforcing traffic laws, and I will prioritize both to protect residents and improve quality of life. I am deeply concerned about the proposed service cuts to Pittsburgh Regional Transit. These cuts would harm riders across the city, especially in the Northside. With PRT facing a $50 million shortfall next year, I will work with leaders in both chambers of the General Assembly to secure bipartisan support and a long-term funding solution. The Mayor has a responsibility to advocate in Harrisburg when residents’ access to transit is on the line. To improve mobility, I will pursue a strong transit- oriented development plan that encourages dense, mixed-use housing near transit hubs. That means overhauling outdated zoning and creating a new overlay district to support development around high-access corridors. With smart planning, consistent advocacy, and real investment, we can deliver the safe and connected infrastructure the Northside needs.

Gainey: As part of Vision Zero — our plan to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries — the Northside has seen major safety improvements. We’ve converted Allegheny Circle to two-way traffic, added protected bike lanes like those on Brighton Road, installed new signals, and placed speed bumps on streets like Tripoli and Concord. Since speeding is the leading cause of crashes, we’re piloting automated red-light enforcement this year as a first step toward full automated speed enforcement. We’ve also launched neighborhood teams that empower residents to implement approved traffic-calming tools, such as planters on corners to reduce blind turns.

We’re also investing in infrastructure. This year, we began assessing the city’s 900 retaining walls. We’re on track to complete the Davis Avenue Bridge, finalize engineering for California Avenue, and move into final design for the Swindell Bridge.

To better connect our neighborhoods to economic opportunities and repair the damage caused by redlining, we worked with Senator Bob Casey and Congresswoman Summer Lee to secure a Reconnecting Communities grant. This grant will address the separation between Manchester and Chateau caused by Route 65 and the “Great Wall.” In partnership with Manchester United and PennDOT, we’re designing community-led solutions to improve connectivity and ensure state infrastructure meets local needs.

Moreno: Use real data provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to control traffic problems legally and publicly with real transparency. Ask the community where they would like specific DOT approved traffic controls and immediately end the fairytale of traffic calming.

5) Economic Development: What initiatives will you pursue to stimulate economic growth in the Northside, supporting local businesses and attracting new investments to the area?

Thomas West is one of the two Republican candidates in the primary election. His opponent is Tony Moreno. Photo courtesy of the Thomas West campaign

West: To grow the Northside economy, I’ll reduce bureaucratic red tape and support local entrepreneurs with targeted grants, access to capital, and storefront revitalization programs. I’ll also recruit job-creating industries, especially in clean manufacturing and tech, to invest in underutilized properties. Every neighborhood deserves thriving small businesses and opportunities for family- sustaining employment. Economic growth should benefit those who live here — not just outside developers.

O’Connor: Pittsburgh’s economy must deliver for every neighborhood. I will champion inclusive economic development that strengthens local businesses, attracts new investment, and grows our tax base. That means supporting entrepreneurs, cleaning up blight, modernizing permitting, and revitalizing business districts like those across the Northside. I will launch a “Main Streets for All” initiative, investing $10 million in 10 business districts while providing financial and technical support citywide. This includes streetscaping, lighting, public art, sidewalk repair, and other improvements that make commercial corridors more vibrant and welcoming. I will streamline permitting with dedicated small business liaisons and prioritize contracting with local vendors, including MWBE [Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises] firms, to ensure taxpayer dollars stay in our communities. I will also speed up payments to small vendors and expand support for creative industries, green manufacturing, and new economy jobs. Economic growth must be paired with community investment. I will lead a 90-neighborhood cleanup effort, tackle blight and vacancy, and partner with the URA and Land Bank to return properties to productive use. Every neighborhood deserves to see progress, not just a select few. My focus will be on building a stronger, cleaner, more connected city where all residents and businesses have the tools to thrive.

Gainey: Whether through direct investments by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) or strategic land sales by the City, URA, or Land Bank, we’ve helped small businesses grow and stay rooted in the Northside. Some of the neighborhood-serving businesses we’ve supported include Freeman Family Farm Store, Allegheny City Brewing, and Shadobeni. The former firehouse in Troy Hill will also soon house BioInterphase, a bioengineering firm relocating from Etna.

Larger employers are expanding too — Gecko Robotics has grown at Nova Place, Duquesne Light moved its headquarters there, and Castle Biosciences opened a new Pittsburgh office. As Astrobotic continues to grow, it’s more important than ever to structure partnerships between these employers and community organizations to ensure residents across the Northside have access to jobs and economic opportunity.

Moreno: Start with the basics. Regain the safety of the Northside by targeting the most problematic dangerous areas first and move towards a return of real community policing. This includes enforcement of ALL local, state and federal laws … without exception.

Clean the City. The days of simple “Reddup the city” are long gone. We must clean our city entrances, public areas and abandoned buildings and lots on a continual basis.

A large part of my economic plan is to use the city’s natural resources to commit to making Pittsburgh the world headquarters of A.I., data storage and bitcoin mining. The federal government made it clear that the US wants to lead in Artificial Intelligence…Pittsburgh should be the headquarters!

Develop a relationship with UPMC/etc to get them to recommit the 40 million dollars that Ed Gainey turned down. That money could have funded healthcare for all city employees (making working for the city more desirable.)

We could put together a corporate sponsorship plan with the UPMC/AGH/etc groups (instead of fighting with them) and also possibly have the health systems fund trades training for the inner-city youth provided by these non-profits.

Imagine the “UPMC Carpentry Training Center” or any other ways these partnerships can be set up to help the city thrive.

*Editor’s note: Mr. Moreno’s answer to this question went over the word limit The Chronicle permitted for responses. For sake of fairness to the other candidates, the final paragraph was omitted.

6) The Esplanade Project: The proposed Esplanade development on the Ohio River waterfront has generated excitement and concerns about affordability, traffic, and public access. What is your stance on the project, and how will you ensure it benefits Northside residents without leading to displacement or loss of community character?

West: The Esplanade has potential to be a transformative development, but only if it reflects the needs of Northside residents. I support the project in principle — revitalizing our waterfront is a smart move — but I will hold developers accountable for commitments to affordability, public access, and infrastructure improvements. My administration will ensure community voices are heard and that existing residents are not priced out. Growth must enhance — not erase — our unique neighborhood character.

O’Connor: I support the Esplanade Project because it has the potential to bring real investment, new housing, and a much-needed tax base to the Northside. This site has sat underused for too long. With the right leadership, we can turn it into a vibrant riverfront destination that benefits all of Pittsburgh. My focus is on making sure the project delivers on its commitments, including a strong mix of market-rate and affordable housing, permanent jobs, and public amenities. It must also honor its commitment to surrounding neighborhoods by creating real opportunities for local residents and businesses.

Gainey: I support this project and am actively working with the developers to ensure it delivers real benefits for Northside residents. It represents a major opportunity for new investment and a natural extension of the North Shore — but it must be built the right way, with housing and jobs for the people who live here.

The current proposal includes making 20% of on-site units affordable to households earning at or below 80% of Area Median Income (about $56,000 for a single person, more for families). We’re also exploring project-based vouchers to deepen affordability and developing two additional affordable housing projects on nearby sites in Manchester.

To support the area long-term, the URA is pursuing a Transit Revitalization Investment District (TRID) that includes the Esplanade site. This would allow future tax growth from the development to be reinvested in infrastructure — maintaining public access to the river, addressing traffic, and supporting affordable housing both on- and off-site.

These efforts will ensure investment creates opportunity, not displacement. We’re committed to keeping Manchester a vibrant, mixed-income community.

Moreno: The properties on the river side of Beaver Ave should become a business mecca with the workforce coming from the adjacent community (See #5 answer on training centers/ etc).

With our plan on training, these communities could now bring a trained workforce to this project that helps community members afford to buy housing in their community.

The same names involved with the 90s destruction and dissemination of the Manchester community (which has led to a gentrification and closing of schools, churches and athletic leagues) are again rearing their corrupt heads. They cannot be allowed to repeat their disastrous policies. Look back at the Hill District and Civic Arena. The city just replayed that neighborhood destruction with FNB plaza on the igloo site.

7) Community Engagement: How do you intend to involve Northside residents and community organizations in decision- making processes to ensure that development projects reflect the community’s interests and needs?

West: I believe government works best when it listens. As Mayor, I’ll establish regular Northside community forums and advisory councils that include residents, business owners, and local organizations. Major development projects will require early and ongoing input from the people they affect. My office will prioritize transparency, publish accessible project timelines, and make it easier for citizens to participate in the decision- making process. No more backroom deals — just open, accountable leadership.

O’Connor: As Mayor, I will ensure Northside residents and community organizations are meaningfully involved from the start of any major development process. Too often, engagement is treated as a box to check after decisions are already made. I will work with trusted local partners to lead inclusive outreach and make sure input comes early, not after plans are finalized. Residents should be able to see how their feedback shapes outcomes. My administration will provide clear updates, track progress, and hold developers accountable to community priorities. Development should reflect the needs of the neighborhood, not just the interests of City Hall or private investors.

Gainey: My administration has built a robust neighborhood engagement team that attends nearly every community meeting in the city to ensure two-way communication with residents. We’ve also expanded the Safer Together Coordinator team so every police zone has a dedicated public safety liaison.

Recognizing that not everyone knows how to reach us, we launched City in the Streets to bring city government directly to neighborhoods. We’ve already visited Spring Hill and Marshall-Shadeland, and we’re kicking off the next event in Perry South.

We also meet frequently with neighborhood and business associations to address specific needs — from transportation in Northview Heights and safety on East Ohio Street to deer overpopulation and landslides in Riverview Park, and reopening pools at Sue Murray, Brighton Heights, and Riverview.

Moreno: Start a real and transparent process of community involvement and engagement for what the community at hand wants instead of unelected staffers or incapable elected officials making decisions that tell the community what they are going to do with their tax dollars.

See the recent attempt by Ed Gainey to change the zoning laws without community involvement so that it would “speed up the process”. If anything, we should be slowing the process and making sure we do our due diligence and get input from the community.

8) Environmental Concerns: What policies will you implement to address environmental challenges in the Northside, such as improving air quality and increasing green spaces?

West: Clean air and green spaces are essential to public health. I’ll also expand tree-planting initiatives, restore vacant lots, and prioritize sustainable infrastructure like green roofs and stormwater management. We need to be investing in neighborhoods that have been historically overlooked — and that includes parts of the Northside.

O’Connor: As Mayor, I will put Pittsburgh back on the map as a national leader in climate action. My administration will update the long-overdue Climate Action Plan and restore funding for flood control and landslide mitigation, which the current administration has drastically cut. I will modernize the zoning code to support walkable, transit-rich neighborhoods, and push for reforms that drive sustainable growth and reduce car dependency. I will also strengthen and restructure the City’s Green Initiatives and Stormwater Trust Funds to support local resilience projects, especially in areas facing repeated flooding or erosion. To reduce the strain on the City’s budget, I will use innovative financing tools like on-bill financing and solar power purchase agreements to support large-scale energy efficiency efforts. Climate justice will be central to our approach, ensuring all communities benefit from cleaner air, safer streets, and greener infrastructure. Pittsburgh should be leading on climate, not falling behind. I will deliver the leadership and vision to get us there.

Gainey: Citywide initiatives that benefit the Northside include electrifying our fleet, purchasing energy from a wind farm, and enforcing anti-idling laws. District Energy on the Northside has been a city model for nearly 50 years.

Locally, we completed a new playground and parklet at Cross and Strauss, and the Reconnecting Communities grant will support new pedestrian-friendly green spaces as we reconnect Manchester and Chateau.

Moreno: Find the Northside polluters and bring corrective action. Just like the police debacle, it’s an enforcement issue. Clean and maintain current green space and find areas that are non-housing and business to dedicate as green space.

Have the local community groups be held responsible for bringing local businesses to donate and volunteer to keep their desired green space open, safe and clean for the public.

9) Parks and Recreation: Riverview Park, Allegheny Commons, and other Northside parks serve as vital community spaces but face challenges like maintenance, accessibility, and investment in amenities. What specific plans do you have to improve and sustain these parks for residents and visitors? When was the last time you visited Riverview Park?

West: Our parks are treasures, but too many are underfunded. I will commit to a dedicated parks maintenance fund and partner with local nonprofits to expand programming and amenities. In Riverview Park and Allegheny Commons, that means improving trails, lighting, and accessibility while preserving their natural beauty. I visited Riverview Park this spring and was reminded how vital it is as a space for families, walkers, and events. We need to preserve and uplift these places— not let them decline.

O’Connor: The current administration is misusing the voter-approved parks tax. Instead of investing in improvements, the City is using those funds to cover existing employee salaries and fill budget gaps. That is not what voters were promised, and it is shortchanging neighborhoods that rely on their parks. I took my young kids to Riverview Park just a few weekends ago. We played on the playground and visited the observatory. It reminded me how special these spaces are and how much more they could offer with the right investment. As Mayor, I will make sure parks funding is used as intended, with a focus on maintenance, accessibility improvements, new amenities, and long-term upgrades. I will work closely with community groups and the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy to expand programming and ensure that investments reflect what residents want and need.

Gainey: Riverview Park is home to one of the city’s largest shelters, often used for employee events. I’ve also visited to address landslides (now being remediated), deer management (including archery pilots and targeted removals), trash issues, and trail health. We’re also preparing to restore Watson’s Cabin and continue work at Snyder’s Point.

In Allegheny Commons, we completed the fountain restoration, closed the open-air drug market, helped connect unhoused residents to services, and added a new basketball court. It’s now home to one of the city’s most vibrant farmers markets and our first city-sponsored beer garden.

Moreno: First and foremost, find the millions of dollars that have been misallocated from our parks and rec centers. Hold those responsible for the misuse of the dollars aimed at maintaining and providing for our parks and community centers.

Start and utilize an overhaul and transformation of the forestry department. Clean the forest floor. Repair and enhance the trails (new workforce), repair and improve shelters and buildings used by the public. Modernize the public works buildings. Open and staff all pools, playgrounds req/community centers.

Have public engagement on the growth and changes in our parks. The money is there, your current elected officials are stealing it.

10) Education and Youth Programs: How will you support educational initiatives and youth programs in the Northside to provide better opportunities for the area’s young residents?

West: A city that invests in its youth secures its future. I will expand after-school programs, vocational training, and mentorship opportunities in partnership with local schools, nonprofits, and trade unions. We’ll create more safe, productive spaces for kids and teens in the Northside — especially during evenings and summers. My goal is to help every young person in Pittsburgh see a path to success without needing to leave the neighborhood they call home.

O’Connor: As Mayor, I will make Pittsburgh a city where families want to stay and raise their children. That starts with investing in the spaces and programs our kids rely on. The current administration diverted millions in federal funding away from recreation centers, including more than $5 million from Troy Hill’s Cowley Recreation Center. I will reopen Cowley and work to restore other centers across the Northside and the city. We also need to modernize how we use these spaces. I will expand hours, increase services, and grow successful programs like Rec2Tech that prepare kids for future careers. I will invest in athletic fields, courts, and playgrounds so that young people have safe, high-quality places to play and connect. I will create an Office of Youth and Families to lead on childcare, youth programming, and educational partnerships. This office will coordinate across departments and ensure that families are supported from birth through young adulthood. I will also work to expand book programs, improve access to early learning, and remove zoning barriers that block the opening of high-quality child care centers. Pittsburgh’s future depends on keeping families here. I will make sure every child has the support they need to thrive.

Gainey: If there’s one program I want everyone to know about, it’s Safe Passage. Piloted at Perry High School and now citywide, it places trusted elders and trained staff in schools to interrupt cycles of violence. Peer leaders get afterschool programming, internships, and stipends to continue the work. At Perry, it’s doubled attendance and reduced fighting.

Through county partnerships, we’ve expanded and improved the Learn and Earn program — raising wages and opening more career pathways.

We’ve also revitalized the Mayor’s Youth Commission and, through our new Comprehensive Plan, launched a Youth Advisory Commission to engage hundreds of young people in shaping Pittsburgh’s future.

Moreno: The resources Pittsburgh’s physical infrastructure provides will lead to a new economic revolution. The demand for A.I. and its supporting capacity will not only provide the city of Pittsburgh new jobs and operating facilities but will lead to adjoined technological, educational and recreational centers for the up and coming leaders of our great city.

In closing, none of this happens unless you elect me to be your next mayor. My opponents have a current proven track record of failure at all of the above issues. I am the only one capable of and willing to do all the things above to get this done.

My deals are not done with corporate interest donors, they are with the residents of Pittsburgh.