Pittsburgh Councilman William Peduto, a mayoral candidate, introduced legislation today to study how to encourage development in city neighborhoods.

"The redevelopment of our neighborhoods is integral to the future vitality of our city," he said in a press release. "We must carefully study the economic impact of any new program to ensure that we are using the appropriate tool to address the problem."

Mr. Peduto wants the city to spend as much as $10,000 for a study that would be conducted by Steve Zecher, a former city development official who is now a consultant based in Israel. Mr. Zecher authored a 64-page study of the likely effects of a Downtown-area tax abatement that forms the backdrop for a proposal the councilman floated last week to waive property taxes for 10 years for new housing in and around the central business district.

That proposal is in competition with Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's plan for a 10-year property tax abatement Downtown and in 20 other neighborhoods scattered throughout the city.

Mr. Peduto's proposal for a study could face a tentative council vote next week and a final vote in two weeks.