City Planning wins state grant to document Pittsburgh LGBTQ history; commission asked to join consultant selection

Sharon, a representative from the Department of City Planning, told the commission the department received a grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to research and document LGBTQ history in the city and will manage the project. "We did receive the grant and we're kind of just now getting ready to issue an RFP," Sharon said, adding that the work will start with research into what remains, what is gone, and important people and places in local LGBTQ history.

Sharon said the department plans to hire a consultant through an RFP process and asked that the commission provide at least one representative for the consultant-selection committee. She described an expedited timeline: the department hopes to post the RFP by the end of the month, leave it open for roughly a month, and return in August or September to select a vendor, with a project end date of September 2027.

Commissioners asked about roles and expectations. One commissioner asked whether the commission would have duties beyond advising the selection committee; Sharon replied the department would project-manage in partnership with the selected consultant and welcomed further collaboration and briefings for the commission while the consultant’s work is underway.

Next steps: the Department of City Planning will move the RFP through procurement, share selection criteria and timeline with the commission, and expect at least one commission representative to serve on the selection panel. The commission agreed to place consultant-selection membership on a July agenda for a vote once candidates are identified.