Officials celebrate Market Square's renovation
-
Alex Shamraevsky, a special events program coordinator from the city's Department of Parks and Recreation, sets out the oversized scissors that were used later during the ribbon cutting at the formal dedication of Market Square. -
Charlie Godart and his dog Big Beyonce were promoting an upcoming film called "Charlie Godart and Big Beyonce: The Unauthorized Autobiography" at the dedication ceremony.
Share with others:
After a year-long renovation project that tried merchants' patience and forced at least one to shutter, Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl on Tuesday celebrated Market Square's new look and enduring importance to the city.
"Market Square is the heart of Downtown, and this renovation marks an important milestone in our city's history," Mr. Ravenstahl said as he and civic leaders officially "reopened" the square during a morning ceremony. Though traffic and pedestrian access were restricted during construction, the square never completely closed.
The $5 million face lift was designed to turn the square, believed to date at least to 1784, into a "European piazza" with an interior space reserved for pedestrians and wider sidewalks to encourage outdoor dining. Vehicular traffic has been routed to the square's periphery.
The city's Urban Redevelopment Authority and foundation community assisted with the renovations.
The new look involved the installation of about 117,900 bricks, 3,100 square yards of terrazzo pavers, 1,700 linear feet of granite curb, 50 trees and 120 lights. Many more lights are on the way.
Officials announced the "Market Square Season of Lights," which will debut with the city's Light Up Night in November. The show will include a synchronized light display set to holiday music and a 32-foot red-and-white tree festooned with lights and banners.
Colcom Foundation is providing financial support for the show. The lighting will be installed by Blachere Illumination, a global company that's undertaken projects at the Eiffel Tower and Walt Disney World.
URA Executive Director Rob Stephany said the renovation project already is paying dividends, with a vacant space above Starbucks recently occupied by Sommer Law Group, a new Penn Avenue Fish Co. location opening a block away and a New Orleans-style restaurant planned for the site of the 1902 Landmark Tavern. The tavern, long a fixture in the square, closed its doors last winter, citing renovation-related financial problems.
Officials said about 45 residents now live in Market Square Place, the former G.C. Murphy Co. building on the square. Six buildings surrounding the square will receive facade upgrades supported by the URA and the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership.
"I want to thank the public and the merchants for their support and patience during this extensive project, especially Prantl's and Mancini's for their commitment to stay in the square," Mr. Ravenstahl said.
First Published October 27, 2010 12:00 am
