Riverlife Presentation

1. Completing the Loop
10/17/2022
NADO ATC Conference
Implementation Framework

2. Presenters
Maria Riley
Riverfront Projects Manager
412-258-6636 x 107
maria@riverlifepgh.org

3. We believe Pittsburgh’s
rivers bring life to our region.
Vision
We envision a Pittsburgh where thriving
world-class riverfronts are essential to
the region and belong to everyone.
Mission
We create, activate, and celebrate
Pittsburgh’s riverfronts, connecting
people through exceptional places and
experiences.
Values
We elevate social equity.
We center our work on the idea that the riverfronts
belong to everyone and must be a model for
community-driven, equitable development.
We embrace innovative ideas.
We tackle big challenges with creative solutions that
drive transformational change.
We advocate for great design.
We cultivate riverfront experiences that are elevated
by high-quality, community-focused, and
regenerative design.
We collaborate and connect.
We nurture broad-based partnerships with
community, philanthropy, and key stakeholders to
advance our mission.
We are a trusted leader.
We advance a shared vision through our unique
position at the intersection of economic development,
arts & culture, and sustainability.

4. 31st St Bridge
West End
Bridge
Hot Meta
Bridge

5. COMPLETE &
ENHANCE THE LOOP
WE WILL
Riverlife will accomplish its
mission by completing the
continuous park and trail system
that kicked off in 2001
This includes:
● West End Bridge to
● Hot Metal Bridge to
● 31st St Bridge
EXPAND THE LOOP
WE WILL
Riverlife will expand the Loop to
adjacent geographies
This includes:
● Hazelwood
● Chateau/Manchester
● Lawrenceville
● West End
ENGAGE IN MISSION-
CRITICAL ISSUES
WE WILL
Riverlife will engage in mission-critical
issues of regional influence and impact
Examples include:
● ALCOSAN Sewer
Regionalization and
Dropshafts
● Connect to Pittsburgh’s
“Regional” Parks
● Environmental and Air Quality
● Bank Stabilization

7. Equity and Our Rivers
Equity in our process
Equity in our decision -making
Equity in our outcomes

8. Equity and Our Rivers
For every initiative that Riverlife pursues we will
work with communities, organizations, and
other stakeholders to ensure an equitable
process. We will seek to engage a diversity of
voices, ages, abilities, races, income levels,
and perspectives.
Through this process we have sought out as
many voices as possible as we design the
vision for Pittsburgh’s riverfronts.
However, the design recommendations
presented today are just the first step and an
in-depth community engagement process will
follow for each project as it is implemented.
Equity in our process
Equity in our decision -making
Equity in our outcomes

9. Equity and Our Rivers
Riverlife engages in an equitable decision-
making process by being transparent about
what decisions are made and what has
informed those decisions.
We will ensure that those making decisions
(whether it be our staff, Board members, or
others) represent a diversity of perspectives
and lived experiences, that reflect the public
who Riverlife serves.
Community engagement will significantly and
meaningfully inform decisions that are made
about Riverlife projects.
Equity in our process
Equity in our decision -making
Equity in our outcomes

10. Equity and Our Rivers
Riverlife works to achieve equity in the
outcomes of our work. This means equitably
distributing the benefits and burdens of our
projects, programs, and initiatives.
We seek to distribute our initiatives
geographically and connect historically
disenfranchised neighborhoods to the rivers.
We will work with communities to prevent
displacement or other unintended
consequences of our initiatives.
We intend to make the riverfront a place that
belongs to everyone, with amenities for a
diversity of uses, where everyone feels
welcome.
Equity in our process
Equity in our decision -making
Equity in our outcomes

11. Partnerships

12. South Shore Riverfront Park, before

13. South Shore Riverfront Park, after

14. Mon Wharf Landing, before

15. Mon Wharf Landing, after

16. Shared
Future
Vision
Completing the Loop
Report
Riverlife

17. The Completing the Loop Report
identifies specific projects and
programming needed to complete the
Loop. The report includes specific sites
for development and will guide Riverlife
in carrying out its initial vision for the
region’s riverfronts.

18. 75+
Interviews &
Focus Groups
3600+
Public
Meetings &
Online
Engagement
35+
Node
Meetings
20+
Steering
Committee
Meetings
16+
Riverlife
Board
peer organizations,
organizational
stakeholders,
regulatory agencies,
government officials,
community members,
developers & property
owners, river
communities,
environmental
groups, watershed
associations, arts &
culture, recreation &
tourism
people people
people
people
people
Photo of progress? Of
people?

19. The River Today

20. The Loop has been
organized into
25 segments
that are grouped into
9 districts
CONFLUENCE
Golden Triangle
North Shore
West Carson Street
Station Square
ALLEGHENY
Strip District
Washington’s Landing
River Avenue Corridor
MONONGAHELA
South Side
Second Avenue Corridor

21. CONNECTIVITY
PLACE
ECOLOGY
MAINTENANCE
EXPERIENCE
along the river | to the neighborhoods |
to the river | to bridges
design quality | lighting | amenities |
building activation
plant community | green infrastructure | riverbank
condition | tree canopy | impervious cover
spatial scale | spatial character | riverbank
character | destinations |programing
removal of trash | vegetation | trail surface
We evaluated the
condition of each
segment in these
categories:

22. On-site Data Collection
& GIS Analysis
Value & Ranking Gap Analysis
people
Based on absolute
percentage of
points earned
3 GREEN
segments
75% or higher
10 ORANGE
segments
Between 50% and 75%
12 RED
segments
50% or lower

23. Scorecard Realities

24. Point State Park
Point State Park
West Carson Street
West Carson Street

25. West End Bridge Gap
District
Strip District
City Tow Yard
River Avenue Corridor
District
South Side District
South Side Industrial
Priority Areas
Much work remains
to complete the
vision!

26. “There is still a lot of work to do!”

27. The River Tomorrow

28. Connect people
to nature
Our rivers…

29. Connect people
to great riverfront
places
Connect people
to nature
Our rivers…

30. Connect people to
riverfront programs
and activities
Connect people
to great riverfront
places
Connect people
to nature
Our rivers…

31. Connect Pittsburgh’s
neighborhoods to
the rivers
Connect people to
riverfront programs
and activities
Connect people
to great riverfront
places
Connect people
to nature
Our rivers…

32. Connect people to
riverfront programs
and activities
Connect people
to great riverfront
places
Connect people
to nature
Our rivers…
Connect Pittsburgh’s
neighborhoods to
the rivers
Our rivers…
need to be part
of a cohesive
experience

33. The River Experience

34. “We’d like to
get to the river
safely!”
Connect Pittsburgh’s
neighborhoods to
the rivers
What we heard...

35. “There’s a lot
to learn along
the rivers.”
Connect people
to nature
What we heard...

36. “The view of
the Point is
world -class.”
Connect people
to great riverfront
places
What we heard...

37. “There are
always new
things to
discover.”
Connect people to
riverfront programs
and activities
What we heard...

38. Amenities and Programming

39. Loop
Amenities
Catalytic
Programming
What makes a
cohesive river
experience?

40. What we heard:
Trailheads
Ecological restoration
Outfall overlooks
Rest areas
Wayfinding
Lighting
Public Art
Air quality monitors
Green street connection
Trail repair &
improvement
Loop
Amenities
Catalytic
Programming

41. Loop
Amenities
Catalytic
Programming
What makes a
cohesive river
experience?
For example:
Trailheads
Overlooks
Rest areas
Wayfinding
Lighting
Landings
existing
proposed

42. Loop
Amenities
Catalytic
Programming
What makes a
cohesive river
experience?
For example:
Trailheads
Overlooks
Rest areas
Wayfinding
Lighting
Landings
existing
proposed

43. What we heard:
Events & Temporary
Installations
Art Walks & Paddles
Festivals
Food Trucks
Swings & Furnishings
Heritage Tours
Neighborhood Loops
Informal Performances
Pop-Up Events
Fishing
Long -term Programming
Interactive Water Features
Recreation Barges
Ice Rinks
Water Taxi / Ferry
on the water | on the shore
Loop
Amenities
Catalytic
Programming

44. For example:
Events & Temporary Installations
Food Trucks
Swings & Furnishings
Neighborhood Loops
Fishing Competitions
Long -term Programming
Water Features
What makes a
cohesive river
experience?
on the water | on the shore
Catalytic
Programming

45. Chalk Fest

46. River Rooms & Essential Projects

47. Confluence
RIVER ROOM
Allegheny
RIVER ROOM
Monongahela
RIVER ROOM
River Rooms are places
where people come
together to enjoy
activities near to, next to,
and on the rivers.
Large-scale &
small-scale places &
activities
Connections along &
across the river
Landside & waterside
basic services & amenities
River Rooms have a
critical mass of things to
do, places to see, and
ways to contribute to a
great river system!

48. Confluence
RIVER ROOM

49. Allegheny
RIVER ROOM

50. Monongahela
RIVER ROOM

51. Essential
Projects

52. ALLEGHENY River Room

53. Allegheny
River Room
Focus Area
Washington’s Landing
City Tow Pound
Central Strip District
Riverfront landing
Strip District
River Avenue Corridor
River Avenue East
River Avenue Central
River Avenue West

54. ESSENTIAL
PROJECT
City Landing Park
River Avenue District
Strip District Landings
& Riverbank Restoration
River Avenue Trailhead
and Landing Bridges

55. ESSENTIAL PROJECT
City Landing Park

56. Strip District
Strip District
Hill District
North Side

57. Strip District

58. Strip District

59. Strip District

60. Strip District

61. Strip District

62. Focus Area -
31st Street Tow Pound
Repositioning the site is a
City priority .
Riverlife is assisting the
City in imagining the
future of the site.

63. Moving
forward...
We will advocate for
Mixed use
Mixed income
Public space & river
access
Bridge connection
Sense of place
Accessible to all

64. commercial
or parking
residential commercial
cafe
kiosk
active passive
active
landing
passive

65. dramatic flyover
landing in a forest
connection

66. commercial
or parking
Affordable Housing
ground floor public uses
commercial
residential

67. cafe
plaza places to meet
river oriented convenience
kiosk

68. spaces to play
active

69. passive
places to rest

70. many ways to
engage the river
Water access

71. BIG MOVES
Create a public park to provide
much needed green space for the
Strip District.
Bring life to the site with
complimentary development
such as affordable housing and
mixed use.
Plan for unique activities on and
off the river that will become a
destination on the Loop .

72. CONFLUENCE River Room

73. Confluence
River Room
FOCUS AREA
West End Bridge Gap
West End Bridge
West Carson Street
Gateway View Plaza
North Shore
North Shore West
North Shore Central
North Shore Ease
Station Square
Station Square Point View
Station Square Central
Station Square East
Golden Triangle
Point State Park
Allegheny Riverfront
Monongahela Riverfront

74. Allegheny Landing
Renovation
WEST END BRIDGE
Manchester -Chateau Connector
&
Saw Mill Run Park
Allegheny Riverfront
Park Renovation

75. ESSENTIAL PROJECT
WEST END BRIDGE
Manchester-Chateau Connector
&
Saw Mill Run Park

76. This is the Loop’s most remote location.
~¾” to the Duquesne Incline
~½ mile to Manchester
~¼ mile to the West End

77. This is the Loop’s most remote location.
~¾” to the Duquesne Incline
~½ mile to Manchester
~¼ mile to the West End
Saw Mill Run can only be seen through
at the bottom of a concrete channel.

78. It is difficult to get to the river on both
ends of the bridge.

79. It is difficult to get to the river on both
ends of the bridge.
It is inhospitable under the bridge.

87. Getting onto the West End
Bridge is tough, but the views
are worth it!

88. Getting onto the West End
Bridge is tough, but the views
are worth it!

89. Saw Mill Run Park

90. WEST END BIG MOVES
Celebrate the West End Bridge !
Create the Saw Mill Run
gateway park and a portal
catalyzing future trail connections to
the west.
Create an accessible route
from the West End Bridge to
Saw Mill Run Park.
Improve walk/bike access to and
from the West End .

91. Upper Deck
Getting to the West End

92. Upper Deck
Getting to the West End
West
End
Circle

93. Upper Deck
Getting to the West End
West
End
Circle

94. Upper Deck
Bridge Expansion &
Accessible Path

95. Upper Deck
Bridge Expansion &
Accessible Path

96. Bridge expansion
Upper Deck
Bridge Expansion &
Accessible Path

97. Upper Deck
Bridge Expansion &
Accessible Path
Overlook

98. Bridge expansion
Upper Deck
Bridge Expansion &
Accessible Path
Overlook
Accessible path to ground level

99. Bridge expansion
Upper Deck
Bridge Expansion &
Accessible Path
Overlook
Accessible path to
river
Accessible path to ground level

100. Upper Deck
Bridge Expansion &
Accessible Path

101. Upper Deck
Bridge Expansion &
Accessible Path

102. Upper Deck
Bridge Expansion &
Accessible Path

103. Ground Level
Saw Mill Run Park and
Path Extension

104. Ground Level
Saw Mill Run Park and
Path Extension

105. Ground Level
Saw Mill Run Park and
Path Extension
Trailhead, public plaza,
cafe or other trailhead
amenities
Open and safe below-grade
crossing
Public docks
Riverside park area

106. Upper Level
Saw Mill Run Park and
Path Extension
Area of expanded sidewalk
Ramp to ground level
Ramp Carson St Crossing
Ramp to pedestrian/bike
railroad tunnel connection to
West End

108. Manchester -Chateau Connector

109. BIG MOVES
Celebrate the West End Bridge !
Create a multi-use gateway
park for Manchester and a
portal for the trail.
Create a pleasant and
accessible route from the
Manchester to the portal park
and beyond.

116. Upper Deck
Site Plan

117. Upper Deck
Site Plan
Continuous direct connection
Manchester <> the river

118. Upper Deck
Site Plan
Continuous direct connection
Manchester to the river
Gateways to bring visitors
to the river

119. Upper Deck
Site Plan
Continuous direct connection
Manchester to the river
Gateways to bring visitors
to the river
Accessible ramp

120. Upper Deck
Site Plan
Accessible ramp

123. Underbridge Park
Ground Level Site Plan

124. Underbridge Park
Ground Level Site Plan

125. Underbridge Park
Ground Level Site Plan

126. Underbridge Park
Ground Level Site Plan

127. Underbridge Park
Existing Conditions

128. Continuous direct connection
Manchester to the river!
Underbridge Park
Permanent improvements
&seasonal activities

129. Community Engagement - West End Boat Tour

130. West End Boat Tour
Community engagement

133. Community Engagement - Partners for Places

134. Manchester -Chateau Connector
Partners for Places
Community engagement
April 23, 2022
walk to the river

137. Kayak Launch
onto Saw Mill Run

138. Trail
Improvements

139. Picnic/Bike
Respite

140. Pond and Gazebo

141. Playground with
Spray Play

142. SAFE PASSAGE
TO THE RIVER

143. Open Air Cooking
Community
Space

145. 5 Votes 4 Votes
3 Votes
3 Votes
2 Votes 1 Vote 1 Vote

146. Current Efforts - Sister Bridges Room

147. Allegheny
Landing Park
Allegheny Riverfront Park
Sister Bridges Room
Includes the parks on both
sides of the river, the bridges,
and the water sheet itself.
Goal is to create a space that
people see as contiguous -
that the water is not a barrier,
but an experience.

148. Current Efforts - Allegheny Landing

152. 2018

156. Current Efforts - Allegheny Riverfront Park

157. 1998 & 2001
Michael Van Valkenburgh
Associates, Inc.

160. (Michael Van Valkenburgh and Associates)
2018

162. Connect people to
riverfront programs
and activities
Connect people
to great riverfront
places
Connect people
to nature
Our rivers…
Connect Pittsburgh’s
neighborhoods to
the rivers
Our rivers…
need a shared
vision to be a
world class
experience!

163. Sign the petition to support
Visit riverlifepgh.org/loop for more.

164. Q & A

165. Table Discussion
1. What are the biggest opportunities and challenges
you are facing in riverfront or community development
in your region?
2. What community engagement strategies do you
use? Which are successful vs unsuccessful?
3. Who are the key stakeholders you work with?
Developers, public agencies, community groups, etc.

166. Thank you!