Council holds public hearing on Manchester Chateau TRID; preliminary vote set for Feb. 19

Pittsburgh City Council on Feb. 12 held a public hearing on Bill 12-34, a resolution authorizing adoption of the Manchester Chateau Transit Revitalization Investment District (TRID) Phase 1 implementation plan and related agreements. Supporters from neighborhood groups, developers and labor unions testified in favor; the council did not vote and a preliminary vote was scheduled for Feb. 19.

Why this matters: City and developer proponents said the TRID would create thousands of construction and permanent jobs, expand the local tax base and fund neighborhood infrastructure and affordable housing targeted to the Manchester Chateau community, a majority-minority, low- and moderate-income neighborhood that speakers said lacks a business district and faces food access gaps.

Neighborhood representatives and partners spoke first. LaShawn Burton Faulk, speaking for the Manchester Citizens Corporation, said the neighborhood has been working on a recovery plan since the 1965 construction of Route 1965 cut the former business corridor from residents. "This TRID is not just about 1 development. It is about unlocking long term investment, infrastructure improvements, workforce development, and new local businesses that our community desperately needs," Faulk said. Faulk also told council that the Manchester Citizens Corporation partnered with the city on a neighborhood comprehensive plan adopted in 2019 and that the group funded half of the TRID study.

Lucas Piat, identifying himself as chief executive officer of Piatt Companies, the developer behind the Esplanade project proposed as Phase 1 of the TRID, told the council the project would be a major economic generator. "A third-party economic development impact study showed that the Esplanade project itself is expected to create 9,300 jobs during construction and 4,500 jobs direct and indirect after it's completed," Piat said. He also told council the property tax revenue on the site is currently about $80,000 per year and is projected to reach nearly $8,000,000 per year after buildout. Piat described planned public benefits including more than 40% open space, affordable housing, transit improvements, home and street repairs and other neighborhood investments funded through the TRID.

Union and trades leaders emphasized local jobs and prevailing wages. Steve Mazza, the council representative for the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, said, "We need to support this TRID because of that," citing job creation and the need for locally paid, area-standard work. Representatives from the Pittsburgh Regional Building Trades and Laborers Local 373 also expressed support.

Several neighborhood leaders said they had been actively engaged in planning. Linda Hanson, who said she serves on multiple Manchester boards including the Manchester Historic Society and Manchester Citizens Corporation, urged approval and said participating groups presented unified support at prior planning hearings. Renee Rosensteel, a long-time property owner, said she had worked with the Manchester Citizens Corporation to inform neighbors and called the project "carefully" planned with a broad range of voices involved.

Speakers also addressed opposition raised elsewhere. Faulk told council that some criticism has been led by an individual he identified as a former MCC leader and characterized that opposition as personal. No registered speakers at this hearing testified in opposition.

Councilwoman Wilson thanked the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) staff and the developer, and noted the financing mechanics. "It's great to hear that we have mechanisms like this in place to make sure we grow the economy," Wilson said, adding that TRID financing would not be used to fund the project's Ferris wheel.

No formal vote was taken at the Feb. 12 hearing. Council President Lavelle said the item will appear on the council agenda next week for a preliminary vote on Feb. 19. The public hearing record was closed after testimony and council remarks.

What to watch: The scheduled preliminary vote on Feb. 19 and subsequent committee reviews will determine whether the TRID ordinance advances. If adopted, TRID funds and related agreements would be used to direct public investment to infrastructure, affordable housing and transit-related improvements described by proponents.