By SUSAN JONES
Pitt’s decision to donate $5 million to the city of Pittsburgh follows many years of calls for the city’s largest nonprofits to contribute more in lieu of property taxes.
According to Pitt, “This contribution builds on existing long-standing neighborhood commitments and vital community programming in which the University of Pittsburgh invests more than $7 million each year.”
The University and Mayor Corey O’Connor announced the voluntary commitment of $5 million over five years on March 30. The money will support neighborhood parks and public safety, in ways the mayor’s administration deems appropriate. It also will go toward O’Connor’s recently launched Main and Main Neighborhood Business Corridor program, which helps revitalize Pittsburgh’s neighborhood commercial corridors through small business loans, facade improvements, permitting reform and gap funding.
“These areas of investment intersect with both the mayor’s priorities and the University’s priorities, as spelled out in the Plan for Pitt 2028,” a University spokesman said. “They benefit the residents of the city of Pittsburgh, many of whom are University employees and students.”
“Since our founding 239 years ago, the success of the city of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh has been intertwined,” said Chancellor Joan Gabel. “As the city’s anchor institution, Pitt has been steadfast over many decades, and we are proud of our active partnerships with nonprofit organizations, community initiatives and governmental collaborations. We serve the city and its residents, including our students, faculty and staff, though multiple programs and projects as well as with our daily operations that produce $1.8 billion of annual economic impact for the city.
This donation follows a commitment earlier this year by UPMC to give the city $10 million to purchase new ambulances and by the PNC Foundation to give $2 million for the city to buy new snow removal vehicles.
But Pitt said conversations have been ongoing with the city for a while.
“Mayor O’Connor has already expressed appreciation for the vital role the University plays in Pittsburgh, and from the first day of his administration, has sought opportunities to partner with Pitt for the benefit of the city,” Gabel said. “These new investments are another example of Pitt doing our part to contribute to healthy and vibrant communities throughout the region.”
“I’d like to thank the University of Pittsburgh, Chancellor Joan Gabel and the Board of Trustees for this generous gift and recognize their longtime partnership with the city,” O’Connor said in a statement. “Not only does Pitt bring pride and vibrancy to the city and engage with our communities, but they also have a history of investment in our shared vision for the future of our city.”
Pitt has a long history of investing in the city, through community programs and other initiatives.
“The investments announced today build on decades worth of collaboration and support between the University and the city of Pittsburgh,” the Pitt spokesman said. “The University is the second-largest employer in both Allegheny County and the city, supporting 16,413 jobs within Pittsburgh alone. In fiscal year 2022, Pitt-related spending generated $65.5 million in local and state taxes for the city of Pittsburgh — revenue that flows to city government, city services and city residents.”
In addition, the University has long-standing commitments in neighborhoods like Oakland, Homewood, the Hill District and Greater Hazelwood, as well as Community Engagement Centers that are open to all city residents.
The University’s Buy, Build, Hire Local initiative also means Pitt’s procurement, construction, human resources and Small Business Development Center buy from Pittsburgh businesses, build with local contractors, hire city residents and grow small businesses’ capacity for University contracts and beyond.
Emeritus Chancellor Mark Nordenberg said he had a very positive reaction to the news about the $5 million donation.
“We are directly dependent upon being in a safe and vibrant city, and I think it’s a good way to help launch Mayor O’Connor’s administration,” he said. “We did find other ways to channel support to the city when I was the chancellor. Formalizing it in this way seems to me to make a great deal of sense. … I think it’s a good thing for the city and it’s a good thing for Pitt.”
Susan Jones is editor of the University Times. Reach her at suejones@pitt.edu or 724-244-4042.
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