PITTSBURG – Pittsburg is stepping up efforts to remodel its downtown right into a full of life gathering place by a mix of initiatives that embrace up to date zoning efforts, facade upgrades and public artwork.
Pittsburg Group and Financial Growth Director Jordan Davis mentioned for years the town has envisioned downtown as a hub for eating and retail. Nevertheless, the shift in conventional procuring patterns has spurred officers to search for different methods to diversify the realm.
Town is getting ready to replace its zoning improvement code this yr by increasing the forms of companies allowed downtown, together with medical workplaces, salons, and service-based industries to assist increase foot visitors and assist different companies.
In Might 2024, the Pittsburg Metropolis Council adopted the town’s 2040 Basic Plan. A part of the plan consists of updating the municipal code and zoning map to be in keeping with the plan.
The plan’s objective is to not be a “wholesale rewrite” however merely a refresh to create a “more streamlined approach and improve permitting processes for development projects.”
In line with the plan, one purpose is to advertise downtown as Pittsburg’s “symbolic center and community destination, with a variety of land uses, including mixed-use developments, community destinations, and neighborhood retail centers, in a walkable, pedestrian-oriented district.”
Alongside zoning updates, the town additionally goals to make downtown extra walkable and visually inviting by signal enhancement, mural, and facade enchancment packages.
Murals have grow to be a key a part of beautification efforts. To this point, the town has funded six, together with downtown behind Mechanics Financial institution, in hopes of drawing youthful guests in search of social-media worthy picture alternatives, mentioned Davis.
Town is also providing a devoted signal enhancement program in Previous City by working with present companies to switch outdated or outdated signage with pedestrian-friendly choices, making it simpler for guests to see what’s forward as they stroll, mentioned Davis.
The facade enchancment program, which began final yr, gives as much as $10,000 for every certified enterprise throughout the neighborhood.
The Doctorbird Market is without doubt one of the companies that acquired a grant by the Pittsburg façade enchancment grant program in downtown Pittsburgh, California, on Friday, July 11, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)
Doctorbird Market’s proprietor, Zane Fiala, left, seems to be on as David Santana of Altamont Brewery delivers beer in downtown Pittsburg, Calif., on Friday, July 11, 2025. The Doctorbird Market is without doubt one of the companies that acquired a grant by the Pittsburg façade enchancment grant program. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)
Hair Sophistication Salon proprietor Pershaonda Tolson seems to be on as hairstylists work on shoppers’ hair at her salon in downtown Pittsburg, Calif., on Friday, July 11, 2025. Hair Sophistication Salon is without doubt one of the companies that acquired a grant by the Pittsburg façade enchancment grant program. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)
A pedestrian walks alongside Railroad Avenue in downtown Pittsburg, Calif., on Friday, July 11, 2025. A number of companies are receiving grants to enhance their facades and storefronts from the Pittsburg Façade Enchancment Grant program. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)
A pedestrian crosses the road as visitors strikes alongside Railroad Avenue in downtown Pittsburg, Calif., on Friday, July 11, 2025. A number of companies are receiving grants to enhance their facades and storefronts from the Pittsburg Façade Enchancment Grant program. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)
Hair stylist Nyah Richard works on Journi Johnson’s hair at Hair Sophistication Salon in downtown Pittsburg, Calif., on Friday, July 11, 2025. Hair Sophistication Salon is without doubt one of the companies that acquired a grant by the Pittsburg façade enchancment grant program. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)
A deteriorated constructing is fenced off alongside Railroad Avenue in downtown Pittsburg, Calif., on Friday, July 11, 2025. A number of companies are receiving grants to enhance their facades and storefronts from the Pittsburg Façade Enchancment Grant program. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)
Visitors strikes alongside Railroad Avenue in downtown Pittsburg, Calif., on Friday, July 11, 2025. A number of companies are receiving grants to enhance their facades and storefronts from the Pittsburg Façade Enchancment Grant program. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)
A deteriorated constructing is fenced off alongside Railroad Avenue in downtown Pittsburg, Calif., on Friday, July 11, 2025. A number of companies are receiving grants to enhance their facades and storefronts from the Pittsburg Façade Enchancment Grant program. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)
An Apple Maps employee with a chosen backpack and a digital camera system walks alongside Railroad Avenue in downtown Pittsburg, Calif., on Friday, July 11, 2025. A number of companies are receiving grants to enhance their façades and storefronts from the Pittsburg Façade Enchancment Grant program. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)
Previous murals stay in a vacant lot in downtown Pittsburg, Calif., on Friday, July 11, 2025. A number of companies are receiving grants to enhance their facades and storefronts from the Pittsburg Façade Enchancment Grant program. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)
A deteriorated constructing is fenced off alongside Railroad Avenue in downtown Pittsburg, Calif., on Friday, July 11, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)
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The Doctorbird Market is without doubt one of the companies that acquired a grant by the Pittsburg façade enchancment grant program in downtown Pittsburgh, California, on Friday, July 11, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)
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Davis mentioned a few dozen companies, akin to Doctorbird Market and Hair Sophistication Salon, have obtained the grants. Pershaonda Tolson, a third-generation salon proprietor in Pittsburg, moved her store downtown in 2012.
“My mom owned the salon, which she opened in 1993. We were on Power Avenue by City Hall and moved here in 2012,” mentioned Tolson. “My mom gave me this salon in 2019, so I renamed, rebranded, and stayed in the same building.”
Tolson signed up for the facade program in Might 2024 and obtained $7,200 for portray and signage adjustments. The work, totaling $9,000, was accomplished final month.
“I paid out of pocket, but people noticed the change from how it was before. People come in and say, ‘Oh, I didn’t even know you guys were here’ and we’ve been here for more than 12 years,” chuckled Tolson.
Whereas she appreciates the efforts by Pittsburg to improve and promote downtown, Tolson hopes to see extra companies within the space.
Zane and Danielle Fiala, homeowners of a bottle store and wine lounge that includes craft beer, specialty meals, and wine in Previous City, additionally obtained funding to repair awnings and planters for his or her retailer.
The couple, who’ve been in enterprise since 2023, mentioned foot visitors stays a problem.
“There’s rarely an occasion for a lot of foot traffic down here. We don’t get a lot of incidental visitors. Our shoppers come here on purpose, which is cool, but we would like to see a higher density of businesses down here,” mentioned Danielle Fiala.
She mentioned at present, there are numerous service-based companies which can be by appointment, which is probably not useful to convey foot visitors.
“They don’t serve the purpose of creating community in this area,” mentioned Fiala. “I’d love to see more like an art gallery, a flower shop, just more diversity of businesses.”
Zane Fiala mentioned the town additionally struggles with a unfavourable notion, that its downtown is unsafe, which he says is unfaithful.
“The perception is that this part of Pittsburg is unsafe, rundown and there’s nothing here, and it’s true, there’s nothing much here, but it’s not unsafe,” he mentioned. “In fact, this might be one of the safest parts, but that pervasive idea that Old Town is somewhere you don’t want to go still permeates in ways that we don’t have a lot of control over it and it’s hard to change that.”
The couple mentioned there are numerous privately owned buildings downtown which can be empty, some dilapidated and unusable.
“There is no penalty for the owners creating a blight on what should be a thriving downtown. These owners are allowed to keep these buildings crumbling, empty, and refusing to do anything with them,” mentioned Danielle Fiala.
Adrian Badger, the proprietor of Steeltown Espresso Firm, Inc., has been in enterprise downtown since 2009.
Badger, who didn’t take part within the metropolis’s grant packages, was vital and mentioned the town has tried updating zoning earlier than, but it surely didn’t make a distinction.
“What they’re making an attempt to do is shut folks up who’re saying, ‘how come there are so many empty spaces?’” said Badger. “And again, their decisions are being made from fear and a lack of understanding. They don’t perceive what must be completed.”
Initially Printed: July 16, 2025 at 4:30 AM PDT
