Editor’s Note: We asked Pittsburgh leaders to give their prescriptions for Mayor Corey O’Connor on how to build a bright future for Pittsburgh. Their answers follow.
David Holmberg, CEO, Highmark Health
I lived Downtown for many years before the pandemic and saw firsthand the experiences that brought people together. Pittsburgh’s future depends on creating a vibrant, welcoming Downtown that draws people back to the heart of our city. We need to tackle underutilized spaces and transform them into destinations that celebrate our culture and foster connection. Projects like Arts Landing, a four-acre civic space with green areas, public art, and performance venues, are more than parks; they’re catalysts for economic vitality and community pride. Incremental change is good, but we also have to make bold moves that position Pittsburgh as a place where people want to live, work, and gather. By investing in cultural infrastructure, we can create a Downtown that reflects our unique Pittsburgh heritage while also driving growth for generations to come.
Leslie Davis, President & CEO, UPMC…