Paris to Pittsburgh Creating Vibrant Streetscapes and Restaurants Through High Quality Design Sidewalk Activation and Façade Improvement Matching Grant Program

Making Downtown Pittsburgh More Vibrant 2006 Downtown Pittsburgh was showing signs of the impending renaissance that has resulted in $5.2 billion in investment in the central business district While Downtown was (and continues to be) home to a number of good restaurants, the top of mind response to a question about reasons to go Downtown inevitably centered around offices and services Restaurants rarely had outdoor seating At the end of the typical workday, businesses in the CBD be closed up shop and remained closed until Monday morning The Downtown scene lacked excitement and vibrancy Today Since 2007, over 50 restaurants have opened their doors Downtown Pittsburgh is now a destination for dinner and late night dining, as well as weekends With these extended business hours, better and more interesting restaurants are choosing to open Downtown due to the increased ability to recoup investment Outdoor dining is a focus of most new restaurant Visitors and residents who have not been Downtown for a number of years are impressed by the fun and lively atmosphere

What Changed? To be sure, the increased interest in higher quality dining and drinking is a national trend Increased interest in urban environments is also a national trend Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership capitalized on both of these trends by offering a financial incentive to encourage new and existing restaurants to increase the quality and focus of their design Paris to Pittsburgh In 2006, the Paris to Pittsburgh Matching Grant Program was created to activate the CBD through pedestrian oriented design. The program promotes physical improvements that will help to enliven Downtown Pittsburgh and looks to Paris vibrant street environment for inspiration. 50% matching grant up to $30,000/$60,000 for corner properties Funds can be used for café tables and chairs, café umbrellas, operable storefront systems, increasing façade transparency, awnings, planters, removal of roll-down security gates, signage, lighting and accessibility improvements A volunteer committee of architects meet monthly to review projects

Sonoma Grille Project Cost- $57,486 Paris to Pittsburgh- $28,743 Blank wall of little interest Awnings and outdoor café create a vibrant atmosphere

Buon Giorno Project Cost- $134,491 Paris to Pittsburgh- $25,000 Unattractive building with no connection to the sidewalk Operable storefront enlivens the street scene, as do the other improvements

Moes Southwest Grill Project Cost- $86,644 Paris to Pittsburgh- $34,350 Two businesses occupy the building, neither connect to the streetscape Outdoor dining area doubles the seating capacity Operable storefront

Mitchells Restaurant and Banquet Center Project Cost- $109,871 Paris to Pittsburgh- $38,836 Façade does little to attract the passerby Café attracts patrons

Original Fish Market Project Cost- $28,918 Paris to Pittsburgh$14,459 Dead space outside of an office towerActive space

Diamond Market Bar and Grill Project Cost- $236,000 Paris to Pittsburgh- $75,000 Outdated façade and cheap plastic furniture Building façade improved, and canopy has been added to create a 4 season outdoor café. Upper floor window are now operable as well, and are more transparent.

Backstage Bar Project Cost- $100,000 Paris to Pittsburgh- $25,000 Uninspired privately owned alleyBold canopy adds beauty and attract patron to business located down the alley

Since 2007, more than 50 projects have been approved and 43 projects have been completed. Total investment in completed projects totals $2,057,580 $749,852 has been grant funded Street life in Pittsburghs urban core