BEAVER COUNTY RADIO

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust cut the ribbon Friday and celebrated the soft opening of Arts Landing – a four-acre, outdoor civic space in the heart of the Cultural District.

“Arts Landing builds on the Cultural Trust’s mission by creating a new Downtown destination where people want to gather, stay longer, and return more often,” Kendra Whitlock Ingram, president & CEO of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, said.

Key features within Arts Landing include:

•         The Dollar Bank Stage and great lawn will serve as the new permanent home for the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival, as well as a schedule of recurring activities, to be announced in May.

•         The Grable Playground is Downtown’s first-ever playground with artist-inspired play equipment.

•         The Giant Eagle Foundation Backyard offers a relaxing atmosphere with tables, seating, overhead lighting, and games (finishing touches coming in June).

•         The Highmark Courtyard provides flexible recreational space, including artist-designed mural pickleball courts and a fitness track (finishing touches coming in July).

•         The BNY Visitor Center features public restrooms, a water refill station, and 24/7 security to ensure that Arts Landing is a safe and welcoming destination for everyone.

•         The Colcom Foundation Overlook provides beautiful views of the skyline and bridges that can only be found in Pittsburgh.

•         The Buhl Foundation Lawn Ledges provide respite and the best seats in the house.

•         PPG Lane and the Fisher Family Garden Walk are beautiful new places for a Downtown stroll, surrounded by nearly 100 newly planted trees and native landscaping.

For more than 40 years, the Cultural Trust has demonstrated the power of arts-driven revitalization downtown. Each year, the Trust’s work supports more than 1,700 jobs and generates more than $175 million for the regional economy, a press release said That’s $1 billion in cumulative economic impact for the region since reopening post-pandemic. Now, Arts Landing is positioned to enhance the Cultural Trust’s impact, in service to the community.

Arts Landing is a key project within the Downtown Revitalization Vision and Governor Josh Shapiro’s $600 million plan for Downtown Pittsburgh.

“Eighteen months ago, we brought together leaders from the public and private sector to revitalize Downtown Pittsburgh and turn this neighborhood into a thriving center for innovation, opportunity, and culture,” Gov. Shapiro said. “Just a week before the NFL Draft, we have delivered on our promise to open Arts Landing on time. I’m proud of the progress we have already made together – building new affordable housing, creating safe, fun spaces like Arts Landing, and completing renovations at Point State Park – and we are going to continue to get stuff done in Downtown Pittsburgh for years to come.”

County Executive Sara Innamorato said, “What an incredible achievement for the Cultural Trust and all the partners who brought this project from idea to completion in just 22 months. Now locals and visitors will be able to enjoy this incredible public amenity, year-round,” said  “Our shared efforts to make downtown a safer, more welcoming neighborhood, reimagine public spaces, and convert under-used office space to housing is already paying dividends.”

“Arts Landing is the perfect example of investing in the vibrancy and future of Downtown,” Mayor Corey O’Connor added. “This used to be an old lot that’s been transformed into a beautiful, modern civic space. Thank you to Kendra Whitlock Ingram and the Cultural Trust for your leadership in bringing partners together to create an asset that supports arts, culture, families, and livability Downtown.”

Arts Landing advanced from concept to ribbon cutting in 22 months, was completed in time for the NFL Draft, and is now positioned to serve residents and visitors alike for generations to come. Envisioned and operated by the Cultural Trust and designed by renowned landscape architecture firm Field Operations, the civic space was designed to welcome residents and visitors, host festivals and performances, exhibit public art, and provide opportunities for everyday recreation and relaxation.

OPENING TIMELINE

·         April 17 | Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

·         April 23-25 | Pitt Block Party at Arts Landing (first public event)

·         May | Soft Opening Period (fencing removed; accessible to public; final landscaping and related projects)

·         June 5-7 & 11-14 | Grand Opening at the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival

In addition to the generous funders who supported these key locations within Arts Landing, the following organizations supported the civic space’s construction and kick started its annual operating and maintenance fund:

•       Allegheny Foundation •       Allegheny Regional Asset District •       The Burke Foundations •       The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania •       Eden Hall Foundation •       Audrey Hillman Fisher Foundation

•       Fleischner Family Charitable Foundation •       The Heinz Endowments •       The Henry L. Hillman Foundation •       Jewish Healthcare Foundation •       Richard King Mellon Foundation •       PNC