Current Initiatives

Independent Venues

• Watch the November 2025 Post Agenda chaired by Councilperson Charland and presented by Chris Copen of Bottlerocket Social Hall and Chris Copen of Bottlerocket Social Hall and Adam Valens of Drusky Entertainment here on the City Channel YouTube.
• Building on the Pittsburgh Music EcoSystem Study, we are working to form a taskforce to explore ways Pittsburgh can better support and promote independent venues.
• Read the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA)’s State of Live report from October 2025.

South Side Riverfront Trail Park Designation Expansion

The South Side Riverfront Trail from 4th-18th St is not currently designated as a park like the rest of Pittsburgh’s trail network. Expanding the ‘parks’ designation along the South Side Riverfront Trail will benefit the 1.1 million trail users per year, South Side Flats and Slopes neighbors, Carson Street businesses and patrons alike, and our goals are to:

• Enhance natural beauty
• Maintain continuity of trail
• Preserve access to river’s edge
• Activate the public space for more recreation opportunities
• Create more activities for children and families
• Improve trail care, maintenance, and safety

Direct trail users toward Carson St businesses, and Carson St visitors toward the trail Next steps: fundraising for a master plan.

Stay tuned for more info, or join us at an upcoming South Side Community Action Network Neighbor Night to discuss in break-out group!

Previous Initiatives

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Quality of Life Ticketing legislation

• Fall 2025 – unanimously passed by City Council
  • Read the legislation here.
• Summer 2025 – 8 new Environmental Enforcement Inspectors hired within the Department of Public Works Anti-Litter Division – follow their work on the Anti-Litter and Illegal Dumping webpage, linked here. 

South Side Business District Manager

The historic Carson Street business district, though vibrant and eclectic, currently has a 26% vacant storefront rate in 2024 Our office worked with the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, South Side Community Council, South Side Hospitality Partnership, the Urban Redevelopment Authority, South Side Chamber of Commerce, South Side Community Council, and State Representative Jess Benham with special shout-out to Ed John and Don Berman for their leadership to hire a business district manager to attract, support, and retain businesses along the Carson Street corridor.  
Since Susan Anderson began in this role, 30+ new business this year have celebrated opening their doors with ribbon cuttings! Read more on how the ‘South Side is working to spiff up its image’ in this story from Julia Burdelski and Kristina Serafini for TribLIVE: Carson Street Comeback.

 

last updated: 11/26/2025