Divided testimony as Pittsburgh council hears historic-nomination bid for Donnie's Place

Pittsburgh City Council held a public hearing July 10 on Bill 17-52, a resolution to designate a neighborhood bar known as Donnie's Place as a historic structure under Title 11 of the Code of Ordinances. Councilwoman Deborah Gross (District 7) read the bill title and opened testimony; the Department of City Planning told council the property owner does not support the nomination and that listing would require a supermajority because the Planning Commission gave a negative recommendation.

The Department of City Planning’s Kevin Kunek said the historic nomination (DCPHN 2024-00641) was filed on Oct. 24, 2024, and summarized prior proceedings: the Historic Review Commission found reasonable cause to consider the nomination on Feb. 5, 2025, the HRC later offered no recommendation after a March 5 public hearing, and the Planning Commission held a March 25 public hearing and voted to provide a negative recommendation to council. Kunek also told council the nomination packet is available on the city’s Legistar database.

The nomination prompted sharply divided testimony from more than a dozen speakers. Supporters of the nomination urged council to preserve queer and trans history; opponents said the building is derelict, the nomination is…