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Downtown developers expect to kick off a refresh of Pittsburgh’s Market Square on April 1 with hopes it will be completed by the time hundreds of thousands of fans descend on the Steel City for the NFL Draft in late April 2026.

The roughly $15 million project, spearheaded by the nonprofit Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, cleared the latest hurdle this week with unanimous approval by the city Planning Commission.

Like the newly named Arts Landing along Eighth Street in the Cultural District, this project also is designed by Field Operations, the landscape architecture and urban design firm behind New York City’s High Line and other signature destinations in cities around the world.

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The modernization of Pittsburgh’s oldest square — which drew 3.1 million visitors in 2024 — will eliminate all parking around the perimeter and limit vehicular traffic to just the north edge of the square (side with the Original Oyster House); no traffic will be allowed on the south side (facing PPG Plaza). The changes aim to create more of a piazza feel and expand space for outdoor dining.

“The renovation creates an understated backdrop that lets Market Square’s natural energy — its businesses, events, and people — take center stage, while making the space more connected and accessible,” Kim Cooper, director of Field Operations, said in a statement.

Market Square is the second piece of a “Vision Plan” trifecta of green spaces put forth by the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County and Allegheny Conference on Community Development last summer, which includes the 8th Street Block (Arts Landing) in the Cultural District and Point State Park. It’s also part of the $600 million, 10-year revitalization plan announced by Gov. Josh Shapiro last fall.

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PDP officials emphasized that work on the square will be conducted in phases to keep at least part of the area open for traffic and activities throughout the construction. Businesses lining the area are expected to stay open.

Among the new features:

• The focal point will be the Market Anchor, a pergola-like, semi-circular pavilion that was inspired by the semi-circular building in the market more than 200 years ago. It will have a glass roof in shades of blue and green, reflecting Pittsburgh’s industrial roots and identity as the River City. It will provide Led lighting and electrical and other hookups to support concerts, the farmers markets and other activities.
• For people wearing heels who have cursed the difficulty of traversing over the chunky cobblestone around the perimeter of the square, those sections will be replaced with smooth precast pavers for easier walking and to be ADA compliant. Seating will be “thoughtfully integrated to encourage daily use and interaction,” according to a release.
• Curbs will be removed to ease pedestrian movement. Catenary lighting — suspended luminaires from cables — will be added to enhance the atmosphere at night. There will also be seasonal plantings, like Pittsburgh’s signature redbuds that line a lot of the riverfront.

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Market Square, which dates back to the late 1700s, was last overhauled in 2010. The interior, however, already was behind ugly orange construction barriers and fencing when all eyes were on Pittsburgh for the G20 Summit in September 2009, which brought world leaders to the Steel City. A couple of businesses around Market Square closed because of the construction’s disruption.

Funding for the new project comes from the state, BNY, Buchanan Ingersoll Rooney, Dollar Bank, Federated Hermes, Highmark, K&L Gates, Pitt Ohio, PNC, PPG, Reed Smith and the Jewish Healthcare Foundation.

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“These infrastructure improvements enable activations and programming that are part of a larger commitment to reimagining Downtown’s future, welcoming more visitors, and supporting the small businesses that are the fabric of the square,” Jeremy Waldrup, CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, said in a statement.