Public hearing in Pittsburgh draws broad support and opposition for East Carson Street improvement district

Pittsburgh City Council held a public hearing July 8 on Ordinance 2026-0518, which would establish an East Carson Street Neighborhood Improvement District Management Association (NIDMA) to fund corridor improvements through assessments on commercial properties.

Councilperson Charlene opened the hearing and described East Carson Street as "falling behind," citing an earlier vacancy rate near 24% and saying property owners had proposed a self-funded district to restore vitality. Susan Anderson, the district's business manager, defined the NIDMA as "like a homeowners association, but for a commercial business district" and outlined recent efforts — storefront assistance, graffiti removal, WinterFest and other activations — that she said the association would sustain.

Mary McKinney Flaherty, deputy director of economic development, told council this model "creates no new cost to the city of Pittsburgh" and described the assessment method: charges will apply only to commercial properties by linear feet of frontage, with an average assessment of about $1,000 per property and caps on increases (no more than three increases in five years, each capped at 5% and not above inflation). She said the nonprofit management association could also help attract grants and sponsorships.

Supporters at the hearing included long-time property owners, business operators and neighborhood organizations. John DeMorrow, chair of the East Carson Street advisory committee, pointed to extensive outreach and two surveys that he said showed "94% of respondents supported contributing to a management association and 91% supported the proposed boundaries." Peter, president of the South Side Chamber of Commerce, and James McNeil, managing director of City Theater, said an accountable, funded organization would help recruit businesses, reduce vacancy and increase visitation.

Several residents and owners said the paid district manager already had demonstrable results. Rebecca Kasovich, a South Side resident, argued the NIDMA gives the community control and noted it must be renewed by owners every five years. Business owners such as Jimmy Hoffman (Mario's) urged the council to sustain momentum and avoid losing recent gains.

Opponents urged caution or rejection. Marie Rotondo Senko said property owners have already faced tax increases and "I respectfully urge counsel to vote no on this bill," arguing assessments could deter transactions and that public safety remains the overriding issue. An unregistered public commenter challenged organizers' speaker selection and disputed the 94% support figure, claiming "we already got 40% against this bid." Affordable-housing manager Bob Zilch said the frontage-based assessment could unfairly burden his properties and asked that the methodology be adjusted.

Speakers on both sides framed public safety as central: several opponents described violent incidents, drug activity and inadequate police response on East Carson Street; proponents said improved lighting, cleaner sidewalks and coordinated programming could reduce crime and draw more daytime visitors.

Councilperson Charlene closed the hearing by saying the draft proposal will be amended based on input, a second mailing will be sent to property owners, and the council will hold a second public hearing before further action. No vote or formal council action occurred at the July 8 hearing.

What happens next: Council will receive an amended draft and a new mailing and will schedule a second public hearing before advancing the ordinance toward a vote.