DOWNTOWN PITTSBURGH | PHOTO BY DAVE DICELLO

A headline in the April 3 edition of the New York Post may say it all: “This surprising city was named top global destination by travel expert.” That “surprising city” is Pittsburgh, and it’s included in a new National Geographic book as among the Top 100 Unexpected Destinations in the world by travel writer Andrew Nelson. 

The book, “Here Not There,” is designed to prompt out-of-the-box thinking for travelers looking to plan their next vacation, according to a VisitPittsburgh release.

“For those that haven’t been, Pittsburgh is a revelation — like San Francisco it’s a mix of forward-thinking technology sectors mixed with some of the most historic and community-minded 19th century neighborhoods found anywhere. And, of course, hills,” wrote Nelson in “Here Not There.”

Pittsburgh was included among some renowned global destinations: Paris; Borobudur, Indonesia; Lecce, Italy; Montevideo, Uruguay; and Western Cape, South Africa.

The article touts Pittsburgh’s resurgence from a steel city to a green, forward-thinking technology hub. Nelson, according to the New York Post, also praised cultural institutions like the Carnegie Museums and Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Pittsburgh also is home to the second-best-ranked food festival in a USA TODAY 2024 Readers Poll across the states — Picklesburgh.

Picklesburgh is an initiative of the nonprofit Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, which is working hard to uphold and improve the quality of Pittsburgh’s Golden Triangle as the city tries to rebound from the devastating effects of the pandemic. Partnership leaders announced several initiatives this week toward that goal at its 2024 annual meeting at the Union Trust building. 

Like cities around the country, Pittsburgh’s Downtown is struggling with increased homelessness and widespread office vacancies.

Partnership President and CEO Jeremy Waldrup and board leaders urged those in attendance at the annual meeting to become ‘catalysts for change’ — emphasizing partnerships, collaboration and goals. 

“It’s truly a watershed moment for Downtown and imperative that we coalesce around initiatives and projects that will have impact now and for generations to come,” he said in a release. “Downtown can be a place like no other — filled with energy, excitement, creativity, innovation, inclusivity and diversity, a place you truly want to be — but the time for action is now.”

Among its priority goals for 2024 are:

Building a Clean, Safe and Welcoming Downtown:

• Continuing to broaden the scope and impact of the enhanced On-Street Services team, leveraging new equipment and a new operations location on Liberty Avenue.
• Growing the impact and output of Volunteer Programming, engaging workers and residents in opportunities to clean and green Downtown.
• Increasing the visibility and scope of outreach efforts to better support the unhoused population and connect individuals in need with area service providers and resources.

Reimagining the Public Realm and Accelerating Economic Growth:

• Enhancing navigation and connectivity in Downtown through the Pittsburgh Wayfinding Project, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
• Promoting economic vitality and business growth through streetscape enhancements on the 900 block of Penn Ave and Sixth Street and continuing to foster a welcoming and vibrant outdoor dining culture.
• Improving aesthetic appeal and safety through alleyway lighting projects and public art and creating a stronger sense of place and creativity in the heart of Downtown and the announcement of plans for Market Square Moment, a public art project that will begin the public approval process next month.
• Advocate for and support initiatives that attract infrastructure and civic space investments encouraging adaptive reuse of underutilized office buildings and storefronts.
• Supporting the arrival of new retail businesses Downtown through a range of innovative, recently developed, grant and loan resources including a newly announced Downtown Rent Abatement Program that will foster new, independent businesses in Downtown.

Cultivating a Destination City and Neighborhood on the Rise:

• Continuing to activate Mellon Square and Market Square with innovative new programming that builds a sense of community and culture, creating welcoming spaces.
• Developing offerings that engage residents and workers, along with new destination programming that encourages visitor foot traffic year-round.

Generating Awareness & Inspiring Action:

• Restructuring and redesigning DowntownPittsburgh.com to launch an enhanced website that provides a more user-friendly, informative experience for online audiences
• Continuing to provide robust branding and marketing support to Downtown small businesses 

You can read the full report of the partnership’s accomplishments in 2023 and plans for 2024 here.