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Council OKs master plan for public safety training campus with amendment to preserve shared public space
Summary
Council unanimously approved an amended resolution to proceed with master planning work and funding for a public safety training campus. Members and public commenters emphasized community access for training and non‑militarized uses; an amendment clarifies inclusion of administrative offices for public safety bureaus.
Pittsburgh City Council on Sept. 22 unanimously passed an amended resolution authorizing design and planning work on a public safety training campus, including funding for a master planning contract not to exceed $1.8 million.
The committee bill (19-67) was amended on the floor to add a short sentence clarifying that the project may include “administrative offices for public safety bureaus.” Councilwoman Deborah Gross moved the amendment and cited the intent to preserve shared space and public access where appropriate. “...support for using the space as really shared space,” she said during the committee discussion.
Public comment before the vote included a survey presentation from Chris Morey, executive director of Informa. Morey said the proposed $86,000,000 campus “would include facilities open to public use, e.g., the firing range, classrooms, and fitness centers,” and reported that respondents prioritized CPR and first-aid training, emergency-preparedness programming, and conflict-mediation training as the most valuable community amenities.
Council discussion stressed two themes: training and oversight. Supporters said a consolidated facility would provide needed training resources for police, fire and EMS, and could host community programs. Councilman Carrie Moseley and others described the plan as a way to provide resources for EMS, fire and other public-safety needs while keeping the facility accessible to the public.
Some members acknowledged public concern about the national trend toward militarized training for police. Gross framed the amendment as a guardrail, stating the council’s preference that the campus include shared, publicly accessible components rather than serving exclusively as a militarized site.
Councilman Kale Smith said he had abstained on amendments at an earlier committee meeting because he was unsure about enforceability and legal compliance, stating, “I don't think they're enforceable, number 1. And number 2, I don't know how legal they are.” Despite those concerns, Smith voted in favor of the final amended bill.
The amended master-planning resolution passed 9-0. Members said additional design, procurement, and public‑access details will be decided in later steps.
Ending: Council approved the master-planning contract and amendment to underscore shared public use; staff will return with design details and access plans for future council consideration.
