Oakland BID outlines growth, outdoor dining and BRT preparations to Pittsburgh City Council

Sean Fertitta, interim executive director of the Oakland Business Improvement District, told Pittsburgh City Council on April 30, 2025, that OBID serves about 250 property and business owners and maintains nearly 5 miles of sidewalks and alleyways in Oakland.

Fertitta summarized OBID's 2024 accomplishments and priorities, saying the organization planted more than 300 flowers, removed over 15 tons of trash, cleaned up about 700 pieces of graffiti, and recorded roughly 300,000 visits to its outdoor dining platforms. He said OBID reported about 20,000,000 visits to Oakland in 2024 and that 8,000,000 of those visits were to the district covered by OBID. "OBID plays a vital role in strengthening our community, and supporting the businesses and stakeholders that make Oakland so dynamic," Fertitta said.

The report gave a concrete example of the outdoor-dining program's local economic impact. Fertitta said more than 60 restaurants increased capacity by roughly 250 seats after the program was installed during the COVID-19 pandemic: "Stacked saw a 32% increase in sales, creating four full-time jobs and eight part-time jobs, while Viva Los Tacos experienced a 27% sales boost, leading to nine new jobs," he said.

Fertitta described Argyle Studio, OBID's incubation program for emerging entrepreneurs, as part of the group's economic-development work and gave Nabokindo Skincare as an example of a business that started in Argyle Studio, opened a storefront in Robinson Mall and plans expansion in Africa.

On finances, Fertitta said OBID's 2024 budget was $1.3 million and provided the organization's allocation breakdown for that year: about 43% for keeping the district clean and safe, 21% for economic development and 36% for administration. He said OBID's assessment millage has not been at its authorized maximum; OBID has been at 3.54 mills for two years and had previously been at 3.7 (OBID's maximum is 4.5 mills under the organization's resolution with the city). Fertitta said OBID did not "max out" its millage and that the board chose to maintain the current rate because of economic uncertainty and incoming development.

Councilmembers and OBID staff discussed how OBID is preparing for the forthcoming Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service through Oakland. Fertitta said OBID is working with city partners and project teams on maintenance of new stations, opportunities for public art at BRT stops, and marketing and promotions to draw riders into nearby businesses: "Having these clean, well kept sidewalks will make it really enjoyable for people," he said. He also described promotional ideas such as a relaunch of restaurant-focused events (previously called "Taste of Oakland," now the "Flavor Walk") and partnerships between restaurants and retail.

Councilmembers asked about larger issues affecting Oakland's commercial real estate, including a shortage of large lab space and high commercial rents. Fertitta said OBID's work focuses on ground-floor retail and small-business support while coordinating with innovation-focused partners such as Innovate Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Innovation District to attract tech companies. He also said OBID is convening property owners and city departments to address curb uses and double-parking for delivery drivers on Forbes Avenue and to consider additional loading zones.

Fertitta described OBID's economic-development activities as largely convening, education and referral: connecting businesses to URA programs, training through the Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence and partnerships for harassment and bystander training with PAR at the University of Pittsburgh. He said OBID and its board review core services and program budgets to ensure stakeholders see value for assessments.

Councilmembers thanked OBID for the street-reuse work that allowed outdoor dining during the pandemic and for ongoing coordination with the city and the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership. No formal actions or votes were taken during the post-agenda hearing.

The session closed with council members expressing support for continued coordination among OBID, other business improvement districts and city departments as development continues in Oakland.