Hello everyone,
Back in September 2025, I introduced Bill 2025-2250 to address the growing clustering of vape shops in our neighborhoods and to prevent these businesses from targeting young people. The bill creates a new use category in the Zoning Code for businesses that primarily sell vaping products, CBD, and similar goods. It would prohibit new vape shops from opening within 1,000 feet of any primary or secondary school, licensed daycare facility, or another vape shop to reduce overconcentration and establish reasonable buffers around places where children and families gather.
The bill will soon head to the Planning Commission for a required briefing and public hearing. Following the Commission’s review and recommendation, the legislation will return to City Council for a public hearing and final vote. You can find more information on the Planning Commission’s webpage, including how to submit public comments or sign up to speak at the hearing. I encourage residents to participate and share their input.
Last month, my office joined Police Chief Lando, a representative from Mayor O’Connor’s Community Affairs Office, and residents in East Deutschtown for a short-term rental walking tour. We walked along Phineas, Peralta, Constance, Chestnut, Suismon, and Tripoli Streets to hear directly from neighbors and see firsthand the impact these properties are having on residential blocks. Within the area bounded by Phineas to Madison and Vista to Vinial, there are 44 short-term rentals (STRs) that we are aware of. Blossom Way has essentially become an alley lined almost entirely with STRs. The scale and density in such a small footprint reflect the real impact on quality of life in our neighborhoods.
Given what we saw and heard, I am glad to see Bill 2026-0008 and Bill 2026-0009 continuing to move forward at Council. Bill 2026-0009, the zoning portion of the STR legislation, has been sent to the Planning Commission for a required briefing and public hearing. Bill 2026-0008, the licensing portion, has been held temporarily to ensure it advances in coordination with the zoning bill.
I also want to highlight the launch of UpKeep, a new riverfront care initiative created through a partnership between the City of Pittsburgh and Riverlife. This effort is focused on improving the quality, consistency, and coordination of maintenance along our 15-mile riverfront loop. Through shared standards and collaboration with partners such as Allegheny CleanWays, Friends of the Riverfront, Landforce, and the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, Up-Keep will help ensure our parks, trails, and green spaces remain clean, safe, and welcoming year-round.
UpKeep represents a long-term investment in the public spaces that define our city. The initiative will deliver $6 million in maintenance over the next decade and is backed by a 20-year agreement between the City and Riverlife to sustain and expand the initiative. The program addresses routine needs such as litter and debris removal, vegetation management, pressure washing, and site-specific care. This is about ensuring our riverfronts continue to serve residents and visitors for generations to come.
Last month, the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI) hosted a community meeting on the East Ohio Street Streetscape Improvements Project. The plan aims to enhance safety, accessibility, and overall quality of the streetscape for all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. Residents had the opportunity to review preliminary designs, ask questions, and provide feedback on how this important corridor can better serve our community.
I encourage you to review the plans and share your feedback with DOMI. The project details are available on the City’s Engage Pittsburgh page: https://engage. pittsburghpa.gov/east-ohio-st-streetscape-improvements If you have any questions or concerns, call us at (412) 255-2135, email us at district1@ pittsburghpa.gov, find us on Facebook and X, and sign up for our newsletter (https://www.pittsburghpa.gov/City-Government/City-Council/Districts/Bobby-Wilson-District-1). My staff and I look forward to hearing from you!
