Market Square reopens after major renovation - a 'major milestone' for Downtown

A year and a half ago, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro stood before a crowd in Downtown Pittsburgh and announced a historic, multimillion dollar plan to change the neighborhood around him for decades to come.

On Wednesday, at the city's oldest public square, hundreds of people again gathered to stand "inside of that vision," said Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership President Jeremy Waldrup.

The PDP on Wednesday reopened Market Square after a yearlong, $15 million renovation - a flagship project of the governor's plan, which wrapped up on the eve of what could be the largest event in Pittsburgh history. The 2026 NFL Draft begins Thursday in the Steel City and runs through Saturday afternoon.

Hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected - many of whom began arriving Wednesday morning - but Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O'Connor reminded the audience:

"This isn't just for the draft. This is for generations of Pittsburghers."

The renovation is the second in Market Square's recent history and builds on a concerted effort to make the square more walkable, akin to the historic piazzas of European cities.

Changes to the plaza now limit traffic to one side of the square, ban parking entirely and significantly expand space for outdoor dining. A new, open-air pavilion anchors the space, shaded by an arched canopy made of see-through, tinted blue panels.

The PDP also swapped out the plaza's old, red brick cobblestone with 45,000 square feet of new, gray stone pavers. Beneath that surface, upgrades to the square's electrical and water systems will allow it to host larger events, officials said.

"Market Square has always been the heart of Downtown," Mr. Waldrup said. "Today, it becomes a world-class destination."

The plaza's reopening, he added, marks "a major milestone" in the Golden Triangle's progress and represents just "one piece of a much larger strategy."

Market Square is one of three public spaces in different corners of Downtown that was refreshed - and reopened - in advance of the NFL Draft.

The square's completion marked Gov. Josh Shapiro's second appearance in Downtown in the past five days alone: On Friday, the governor celebrated the opening of Arts Landing - a new, $31 million public park and outdoor venue in the Cultural District also included in the plan to revamp Downtown.

And last month, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis sprayed a crowd of public officials with water when he turned on the fountain in Point State Park - the third public space reopened after months of construction tied to Downtown revitalization plans.

The NFL Draft "has been an unbelievable catalyst for the kind of growth and development we want to see here," Mr. Shapiro said Wednesday in Market Square, where Steelers flags and Terrible Towels hang above life-size banners of Pennsylvania football legends.

Now that Pittsburgh is well into Phase 1 of its Downtown revamp, the governor said he can confirm: "There will be a Phase 2."

But first, the city's center must embrace the national spotlight over the next three days as NFL teams draft prospects inside of a large, custom-built theater outside Acrisure Stadium.

Restaurants in Market Square said they intend to take full advantage of massive crowds after a year of reduced sales and limited hours due to construction.

The Yard is opening a pop-up bar in Market Square for the next few days. The Original Oyster House hosted a draft kickoff party Wednesday. And The Draft Network will broadcast live from a private room in City Works throughout the draft.

After the event ends, City Works plans to add 13 tables and new plantings to its patio, thanks to expanded space for outdoor dining created by upgrades in the square. Space for tables will increase by 10 to 18 feet outside all Market Square restaurants.

"These improvements provide a chance to do more - to hold more events, to bring in new ideas, to give people more reasons to come Downtown and stay just a little longer," said Original Oyster House owner Jen Grippo.

The family-owned restaurant is one of Market Square's oldest, open for more than 100 years in Pittsburgh.

"More activity means more opportunity for small businesses like ours," she said.

Over a decade ago, the major reconstruction of Market Square - also led by the PDP - forced two businesses to close and nearly killed several others, including the Oyster House.

This time around, the PDP did things differently, business owners said, providing dozens of grants totaling more than $234,000 to Market Square businesses to offset lost revenue, and sending out weekly emails to keep merchants abreast of developments in the square.

On social media, the organization partnered with content creators to promote the plaza and held contests encouraging people to turn out.

"I hope you're all grabbing dinner or drinks at one of these businesses after this event," Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato said to the crowd in Market Square - one of several local officials wearing black and gold Steel City NFL Draft merch.

Over three consecutive days, the draft is expected to generate between $115 million and $215 million in direct spending locally, VisitPittsburgh said. Businesses in and around Downtown could see a lot of the windfall: The event's footprint spreads across the North Shore and Golden Triangle.

In advance of the event, the PDP repaired broken sidewalks, opened over a dozen new businesses Downtown, cleaned up riverfront trails and covered the windows of empty shops with artwork.

That's because the draft, Mr. Shapiro said last week, is 1% football and 99% about selling Pittsburgh's strengths to residents and visitors alike.

"At the end of the day, this is about the people," Ms. Grippo said inside the new Market Square. "Bringing them together and giving them a place to connect and support the small businesses that make this square what it is."

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This story was originally published April 22, 2026 at 11:16 PM.