“Please do not inconvenience the historic businesses on Penn Ave. The Strip District is a beautiful, vibrant part of our city because of the businesses that have served our community for decades.

The construction alone will cause many issues for these institutions and for their dedicated patrons.”

“I work in east liberty and routinely eat, shop, and visit the strip district. Not only will this plan make things unimaginably more difficult to navigate than they already are, but it doesn't pass even the most basic common sense tests of "should we even do this?"

Genuinely I don't understand how an idea this bad ever gains any traction at all. Mayor, if you want any semblance of support from me in the voting booth, DO NOT SUPPORT THIS NONSENSE!”

“I make deliveries to the area, which is already dangerous for loading and unloading. This would only exacerbate the problem.”

“Leave the Strip alone. It's the one thing that is still REAL. If you make only 1 lane, what are the buses going to do. Does the traffic have to face longer lines as the buses load and unload passengers?? And I agree, there are business that DON'T have docks in the back of their businesses, but use Penn Ave for their deliveries. This is a massive SNAFU!!”

“I work with a local delivery company that picks up orders in the strip that would be devastated by a bottlenecking in traffic. Im also a Lawrenceville local and walk and drive down to the strip very often which would absolutely change if the traffic were to get worse as it would become less and less walkable AND drivable. Some of my absolute favorite businesses are in the strip and my ability to support these businesses depends on my ability to reach them.”

“I agree there should be safer passage for bikes, but what about better pedestrian right-of-ways on Smallman with safer crosswalks or even sidewalks, a bike lane on Railroad Street, or making bikers take the trail that is only blocks away? I don't think limiting Penn to one lane will help with the flow of traffic. I think there are much more important issues we need to address before we mess with Penn Ave.”

“Don't fix what isn't broken.
And never forget where you come from. We own the first historically restored building in The Strip, the No. 7 Engine Company, home of Bar Marco, a first class restaurant and good neighbor.
What you're planning to do will destroy the character of the Strip and drive people away who drive there to shop. Why would you wait a half hour to park when you could just go to a supermarket?
Because The Strip has personality and history that is unmatched in America. That's right, unmatched, where you can browse a dozen different ethnic markets in an 8 or 9 block stretch.
Please preserve our personality and our businesses.
Your plan for change is a huge step backwards.”

“Bicyclists do not stop at the stores to purchase anything.. There are plenty of other roads in the city that they've already caused congestion with these hazardous bicycle lines.. They are annoying and dangerous in a high traffic areas. The traffic on Penn Ave is bad enough let alone taking away for a bicycle lane. Please do not ruin this historical area.”

“Bikers barely follow the laws of the road as it is. They don't need more space to be even more dangerous.”

“This is a traffic nightmare and there is plenty of sidewalk room for pedestrians. Leave this area authentic. The stylized version of the strip with “instragram ready” spots on Smallman is fine for tourists but not authentic. Keep Penn authentic!”

“Smallman has a bike lane. If you're looking for a solution put in parking at each end with street trolleys as other cities do with their historic areas.
Please don't mess with something that has been such a unique attraction. I have been shopping at the strip for over 60 years. The only new problem I see with the influx of residential properties is parking.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it! You are just making a new problem.”

“I was a resident for years and unfortunately had to move for my job. I visit 4 times a year at minimum and ALWAYS stock up in the Strip.”

“Agree with all comments in the letter submitted by business owners. Adding bicycles to the mix of pedestrian, car and truck traffic has the potential for accidents in an already congested area.”

“As a passionate biker myself, I do not agree with the plans to make a portion of Penn Ave into a single lane.

I personally bike on Smallman where there is far less traffic and much safer as well as on the riverfront trail.

I drive that portion of Penn Avenue on a regular basis for my job. The strip district businesses rely heavily on having a 2nd lane for truck deliveries. The midwife center also relies on it for emergency vehicles.

I strongly feel that the bike lane would do more harm on that portion of Penn Ave than good. It would be much better to put a bike lane on Smallman or extend the already existing riverfront trail.

“I do believe actions do need to be taken to improve the safety but adjusting Penn to a single lane road at the proposed section is not practical. If a bike lane is a crucial component and want of this community then shifting focus on Smallman Street, Railroad Street, or the existing unconnected bike path along the river should be the logical step. Biking should be accessible but Penn Avenue is not the solution.”

“For a century this Pittsburgh landmark has served and drawn commerce and visitors to our city, with memories, provenance, and earning acclaim as a hub of interest nationally and internationally. Cutting into the heart of the city is as sensible as a cardiac surgeon doing bypass surgery only to change (not improve) a working organ not in need in a major surgical intervention.”

“How about speed bumps?”

“It is NOT broken, so don't fix it.”

“This is just a silly idea. The businesses still cater to patrons with vehicles parked at the curbs. Especially older patrons. People will park anyway and cause traffic nightmares.

You should rethink this plan.”

“I currently live in Plum Boro, and frequent the strip at least twice a month to shop and visit the strip various restaurants. To put this proposal thru would be detrimental to the Strip District! less foot traffic=Less revenue for shops, vendors and of course the city. Not a good action to take!”

“The specialy stores in the strip depend on easy vehicle access and loading. Denying the region this valued resource for the sake of another underutilized bike lane is negligent beyond belief.”

“Penn Ave is so unique and historical. Penn Ave is already ruined in the Cultural District and I steer clear of the area. It is slow moving/ugly. I do not want this to happen to The Strip. Smallman street has turned into a constant traffic jam after the changes occurred.
I do a lot of volunteer work at St. Stan’s on 21st and the tourist tell me all the time how much they love the hustle bustle of neighborhood and means the uniqueness of Penn Ave and how it currently is! 2 lanes are essential for driving/parking/shopping/deliveries. I shop every week in the strip because it is “easy”. 1 lane and I am sure ugly changes will ruin the neighborhood/feel/history/business.
PLEASE KEEP IT AS IS!”

“My husband and I have lived in Pittsburgh for 7 years and love going to the Strip. It is our favorite place to take our family and friends who visit, too! I hope nothing will change!!”

“I am tired of these bike lanes-some are ok but there are way too many and I rarely ever see them being used by people on bikes. They take away from street parking where it is needed.”

“Why would you reduce traffic lanes at the BUSIEST section of Penn Ave in the Strip? Make it make sense”