Tuesday, Dec. 23: Draft Prep + Leadership Pledge + Housing Gap
Tuesday, Dec. 23
Your local news briefing
5 Headlines You Should Know Today
🎧 Prefer to listen to the news?
Find Wake Up, Pittsburgh! on
Spotify,
Apple Podcasts,
YouTube,
or wherever you get your podcasts.
Downtown revitalization projects advance ahead of 2026 NFL Draft.
As Pittsburgh prepares to host the 2026 NFL Draft next spring, key projects in a sweeping $600 million plan to revitalize Downtown are showing visible progress. Governor Josh Shapiro’s initiative includes seven residential developments, upgrades to Market Square and Point State Park, and a new outdoor venue called Arts Landing. Office-to-housing conversions are underway at the Gulf Tower and First and Market, while the May Building and 933 Penn Avenue are set to break ground soon. Despite rising construction costs and earlier setbacks, many projects remain on track for completion by 2027.
Incoming chief Lando vows 100% focus amid scrutiny.
Mayor-elect Corey O’Connor’s expected pick for Pittsburgh’s next police chief, Jason Lando, is facing both praise and early scrutiny. The former Pittsburgh commander, now returning from Frederick, Maryland, is well-regarded locally but will likely be questioned by City Council about a closed investigation involving anonymous texts. Lando takes over a department facing low morale, staffing shortages, and mounting pressure. Acknowledging the challenges, he said, “You’re gonna get 100% of my time and my attention — my heart’s in it 100% — but I don’t have a magic wand.”
Vacant homes persist as affordable housing shortage deepens.
Pittsburgh faces a puzzling crisis: more than 20,000 vacant homes, yet a growing shortage of affordable housing. A new report from Public Source investigates how this contradiction persists, highlighting a collapsed row house in Knoxville as a case study. The home at 418 Rochelle Street fell into ruin after a foreclosure process was never completed, leaving it legally owned—but physically abandoned—for nearly two decades. Advocates say lax enforcement, tangled titles, and an underfunded Land Bank prevent properties from being reclaimed and reused, deepening neighborhood decline.
McCandless approves 10-year parks plan emphasizing trails, connectivity.
The Town of McCandless has approved a 10-year parks and recreation master plan, developed with extensive community input. Designed by landscape planning firm Pashek MTR, the plan outlines updates for five parks, including improved trails, parking, accessibility, and preservation of green space. Residents prioritized passive recreation areas and better neighborhood connectivity, especially around Pine Creek and Harmony Trail. The study also identifies potential funding strategies and reflects shifting demographics, including growth in both older adults and young families.
Monroeville convention center wins $900K for roof, parking repairs.
The Monroeville Convention Center is receiving nearly $900,000 from Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Financing Authority to fund critical infrastructure repairs. Two Local Share Account grants cover more than $600,000 for a new rubber roofing system and nearly $300,000 for parking lot paving. Local officials say the improvements are necessary to maintain the facility’s safety and accessibility, supporting an estimated 400,000 visitors each year. The upgrades follow Monroeville’s 2024 purchase of the center to prevent its partial conversion into retail space.
* Subscription or free account may be required.
✉️ Do your neighbor a favor — forward this newsletter or send them to our signup page.