Fundamental to OPDC’s work is communication to the public about development proposals and hosting public meetings to discuss them.
We are a Registered Community Organization (RCO) with the Department of City Planning. The RCO designation formally requires community engagement as part of the city’s development approval process. According to the RCO legislation, our responsibilities as an RCO include:
Establishing orderly means for public input.
Reporting to the city about the process.
Fostering communication between the community and city departments.
Visit our calendar for upcoming community meetings.
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Planning & Zoning
The Department of City Planning is proposing city-wide zoning changes that address the findings of the 2022 Pittsburgh Housing Needs Assessment.
The Department of City Planning and City Council are proposing updates to the city code to ensure Pittsburgh’s zoning complies with the Federal Fair Housing Act. For Oakland, this includes a proposal to expand areas where universities can construct dormitories.
Design Development Review
An applicant is proposing a use change for a portion of an existing building at 2000 Technology Dr. The proposed use is an Optometrist office.
UPMC is proposing a minor addition to a portion of an existing hospital building (former boiler house at UPMC Montefiore), located at 3459 5th Ave.
The Presbyterian SeniorCare Network plans to build “Oakland Pride”, a multi-use residential community housing for LGBTQ+ seniors at 3129 - 3133 Forbes Avenue/118 Craft Avenue.
OLIO Development Group plan to construct a Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers quick-service restaurant on Fifth Avenue.
LGA Partners propose to construct an ADA-compliant ramp and new steps to an existing side entrance of St. Paul Synod Hall, 125 North Craig Street, to provide accessibility.
University of Pittsburgh is making updates to the exterior façade of Crawford Hall on Bigelow Blvd.
Fahringer, McCarty, Grey, Inc. Landscape Architects & Civil Engineers is assisting with the enlargement of an existing surface parking lot in North Oakland.
Bottega Drafting + Design is working on a home addition for the Singh family in Schenley Farms.
The University of Pittsburgh is planning a lower campus stormwater collection system, that is part of upgrading and expanding an existing Chilled Water plant at Posvar Hall. The stormwater feature includes a cistern built underneath Mazeroski Field.
The University of Pittsburgh plans to make repairs to Heinz Chapel Fleche, Thaw Hall, University Club Terrace, and the Schenley Quadrangle Steps.
The 250,000 sq. ft. Arena and Sports Performance Center (ASPC) facility will replace/expand most of the sports and functions in the existing Fitzgerald Field House in a new stand-alone facility.
The entire ground floor (approximately 70,000 sq. ft.) will be renovated and a three-story entry volume will be added to the northwest corner of the building.
Green Spaces and Infrastructure
April 25, 2023: Chesterfield will be closed to put back the bricks and pour new sidewalks and curbs from the end of May until the end of August.
The final draft of the Stormwater Strategic Plan is available for review through February 17, 2023.
Construction for the Lawn and Ophelia Stormwater Project is complete. PWSA is currently developing the maintenance plan for the site moving forward.
Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) has placed an indefinite hold on its proposed green infrastructure to manage storm water runoff in the 4 Mile Run watershed. PWSA is moving forward with new drainage tunnels and gray infrastructure at the Greenfield end of 4 Mile Run.
Mobility
The Charles Anderson Bridge has been closed to all vehicular traffic until repairs can be made.
PennDOT plans to widen Bates Street between 2nd Avenue and the Boulevard of the Allies, which would accommodate transit access and improved bicycle and pedestrian safety amenities.
BRT is now fully funded with $150 million from the Federal Transit Administration. The "University Line" will run between Downtown, Uptown, and Oakland. Work on the Downtown section of the University Line is expected to get under way this fall.
Institutional Master Plans
University of Pittsburgh is sharing details of an amendment to their Institutional Master Plan (IMP), including a text change to the Allequippa Street Public Realm Plan, and updates to the exterior façade of Crawford Hall on Bigelow Blvd
An application was submitted for a new Institutional Master Plan (IMP) and to change the Zoning Districts for (7) parcels to Educational Medical Institution (EMI).
Carlow University’s Institutional Master Plan involves 10 years of development, including new construction and renovation.
Do you have concerns about an upcoming development? Are you looking for additional information about a specific project?
Feel free to email Executive Director Andrea Boykowycz at aboykowycz@opdc.org.
The Department of City Planning (DCP) proposes to complete the re-zoning of North Oakland as recommended by the Land Use Plan of the 2022 Oakland Plan.