Pittsburgh Market Square Rehab: Where It Stands

PITTSBURGH, PA — The $15 million renovation of Downtown's Market Square is on schedule and should be completed by the intended date of next year's NFL Draft in April.

According to the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, this is the key construction progress:

• New Shared Streetscape: A shared street blends the roadway and sidewalks into one continuous, curb-less surface and is designed to slow down drivers and put people first. It creates a more flexible, pedestrian-friendly space that can support walking, outdoor dining, events, and everyday use.

• Installation of new precast concrete pavers for the streetscape is underway, following a successful test of a paver mock-up that confirmed their quality, appearance, and durability. Salvaged cobblestones, granite curbs, and terrazzo are being repurposed throughout the Square, reinforcing its historic character while reducing waste.

• Infrastructure upgrades: Crews are modernizing electrical and water systems, adding capacity for large-scale events and upgrading irrigation to support a healthier, more expansive tree canopy.

• Pavilion: Drilling of 18 structural caissons is underway for the glass-and-steel pavilion inspired by the 18th-century covered market stalls that once stood in the Square. Designed with blue and green glass panels evoking Pittsburgh’s rivers, the structure will serve as an anchor for markets, performances, and community gatherings.

“These new street surfaces and walkways are more than design features, they’re the foundation of a Market Square that will be safer, more accessible, and more welcoming,”partnership president Jeremy Waldrup said in a statement. rship. “From upgraded utilities to a modern pavilion, this project is building a stronger Downtown that honors Pittsburgh’s past while preparing for what’s ahead.”