“While increasing bike accessibility to the Penn Ave corridor is essential, there are other ways to do it rather than gutting access to business in the densest part of the Strip.”

“I have attended the Pittsburgh Winery for numerous music venues. Traffic in the strip district is busy enough as it is without impeding it further by restricting a main artery road into the strip district to a single lane. I don’t understand why a main artery road should restricted to a single lane . It is absurd when there are other roads less traveled that could quite easily be converted to single lanes. By restricting Penn Ave to a single lane you are deterring visitors from coming into your fine city as they will be frustrated with all the traffic….i know I will! Please reconsider restricting Penn ave into a single lane. “

“Over the past few years during the renovation of the Terminal properties, employers, employees, residents and visitors (as cattled in this prompt) witnessed repeated ignorance of stakeholders towards public feedback around prospective tenants, and broken promises to local vendors.

I do not have a comment so much as a question – why should any of the public, who utilize this space to an extent which facilitates the Strip District’s prominence in Pittsburgh culture and commerce, trust city officials or stakeholders to heed any received feedback that STRONGLY opposes this plan?”

“Any infrastructure that impedes access by emergency vehicles and destroys small businesses should never be a consideration. The Strip district changes have already changed some of the historic charm of the Strip as well as brought in competing corporate businesses creating an inequitable challenge to existing small businesses, (on top of many other challenges). These small businesses have a true uniqueness that underlies what makes Pittsburgh great and attracts tourism. There has been an outcry, but it appears that the leadership of the city is not listening to the people. This is not a sign of good leadership, and should this project go forward, the voters should let this be known on election day!”

“If it isn't broke don't fix it.”

“Reduced access does NOT add value! Leave the Strip alone. Small businesses are hard enough to sustain!”

“While I believe this proposed plan has good intentions, I think we need to listen to the business owners — many who have legacy businesses that make the Strip a destination for shopping, out of town visitors, quick errands, a colorful walk etc. Don't ruin the special sauce!”

“The Strip has always been one of the best places to hang out and visit local vendors, see shows, eat/drink etc. Don't do this and destroy it.”

“i’ve lived in pittsburgh for 21 years. the strip has always been a staple for me and my family and friends- whether it’s stopping by penzy’s and wholey’s for holiday grocery shopping or colangelos and la prima for a coffee and cannoli on a saturday morning. the first primantis and pamela’s… kelly-o’s too. as pittsburghers, its built into our brains to protect what we grew up with- that’s why we still call it heinz field and carnegie science center. we give directions by referencing businesses that were landmarks YEARS ago. don’t fuck with what we love.”

“Please do not implement this plan to restrict Penn Avenue to one lane.”

Finally, after years of stagnation the Strip has become a vibrant destination and an economical boost to the city. Makes sense to disrupt and destroy it

“I disagree with this plan as a lifelong resident of pittsburgh, busy musician, biking and pedestrian advocate, and regular strip consumer. Many changes have been implemented and will be to allow for safer travel in that regard. However, we need to retain a reliable two-way car route adjacent to classic small businesses or we will see them suffer.”

“I strongly oppose the city's proposed plans to decrease lanes on Penn Avenue. It will negatively impact businesses, cause congestion where not needed and hinder emergency vehicle access. Please use some common sense and don't do this!”

as a Pittsburgh resident, I am all for cycling and making Pittsburgh more bicycle friendly; but not at the possibility of business being adversely affected. The businesses are what attracts locals, and visitors.

“I strongly urge that this proposal does not happen. Way too many businesses are NOT in favor of it.”

“Do not make a bike lane keep it how it is!!!!!!”

“Not every idea is a good idea this is a horrible one !!! NO”

“Please don’t make traffic worse than it already is! The strip is bustling and proceeding with these plans will destroy many beloved businesses.”

“Pittsburgh resident. This would be a cultural loss.”

“Please for once listen to the people and the businesses. All are finally aligned…don’t let politics and bikes cloud your judgement”

“We live north of the city and make regular trips into the Strip. It would be devastating to businesses to restrict Penn Avenue to a single lane. This impact would carry over to any tax benefits the city would be getting from these business putting it into further debt and inability to maintain it's budget.”

“I am opposed to reducing Penn down to one vehicular lane. I have been in this neighborhood for 27 years and have had two retail stores in the Strip, an apartment complex and now a condominium association. This neighborhood has always been congested and has needed every lane of traffic and parking that it could find. I like bikes but not at the expense of keeping folks from coming in from around the area to shop and be able to drive through this area and park. We cannot allow a seasonal hobby like riding a bike rule the neighborhood. We are just too small and too few traffic lanes to take away what few we have.
Please do not do this to our beloved Strip District. You will kill the flow and take away our tourist and out of the area customers.”

“This will bring the Strip District to a Halt for everyone INCLUDING delivery vehicles who will have NOWHERE to pull over. parking is difficult enough with 2 lanes!!!”

“It's already a mess. Taking it down to one lane is crazy. It's going to make it impossible to move on a weekend”

“The Strip is a Pittsburgh Icon meant to be enjoyed by EVERYONE, not just a chosen few!”

“I enjoy shopping and going to music venues in the strip. I am also an avid cyclist. Creating a bike lane through the strip is not necessary. Choking traffic of so many for a few cyclists is unfair”

“Either finish the existing trail between 21st and 40th or use the less busy streets between Penn and the river.”

“As someone who bikes and drives throughout Pittsburgh, including in the Strip District , I do not feel that a bike lane there is warranted and that there are other solutions available. I also think that turning Penn Avenue into a single traffic lane will destroy much of the urban fabric that has evolved there and that constitutes it’s charm.”

“My business is located at 960 Penn Avenue and I travel Penn avenue through the Strip regularly. I am strongly opposed to the proposal to make this major roadway into a single lane for cars. I am a strong supporter of bike lanes but eliminating one of the two lanes for cars will end the Strip as we know it, and wipe out business and businesses on Penn. Please do not destroy this neighborhood and the livelihoods of so many.”

“Please don’t do this. Listen to your constituents”

“Please listen to the voices of your constituents and stop this project before it does irreparable harm to our local businesses. The safety concerns from our firefighters alone should be enough of a reason to stop this project.”

“As a resident of Forte Condos on Penn Ave., I have serious concerns with this plan. Restricting Penn would increase congestion & make it difficult for large delivery trucks to park/unload. This plan would also negatively affect small businesses that rely on deliveries. Even more troubling, it could impede emergency vehicles; I recently witnessed a fire next door, & the fire department’s swift access was critical considering the proximity to a residential building. Having to cross 2 bike lanes to reach the street across poses a real danger to pedestrians, especially since I often see cyclists disregarding traffic rules. As a resident of the Strip since 2019, I am well aware of the history of traffic accidents on Penn; however, I believe there are better alternatives that would improve safety without creating new risks. This plan obstructs cross-traffic visibility, forcing vehicles to intrude into the bike lanes, ultimately leading to more accidents rather than fewer.”

“Please listen to the feedback from residents and businesses before going down this path.”

“I work in a hospital and live next to Penn avenue. I use Penn avenue or Liberty ave to get to work and be at work on time.”

“We have been going to the Strip District all of our lives, and also encourage out of town guests to go. These proposed changes are going to make it so challenging to visit and park in the area. I am an avid biker, but would hate to see the vibrant nature of this community choked off with misguided restrictions on traffic in an already crowded and congested area.”

“The restrictive traffic pattern will put many businesses in jeopardy of going out of business. The Strip District has many restaurants , Wineries, stores and galleries that have worked hard to provide Pittsburgh citizens the opportunity to enjoy the area. The restrictive traffic patterns will cause the loss of many of these businesses. This will be a devastating loss to the Pittsburgh area.”

Terrible, arrogant idea to impact family businesses and livelihoods over 81 fender benders (over 5 years). Stop this incredibly short sighed action against the very tax payers who pay their salaries.

“Why was this ever considered a good idea???”

“Many businesses, residents, neighbors (like myself) and visitors are NOT interested in reducing access to this neighborhood and popular throughway in the city.

the ill informed desires of a handful of temporary appointees (DOMI), in a lame duck session, should not be allowed to permanently destroy an entire vibrant historic neighborhood's ecosystem under false pretenses and outdated data in order to pad their resumes and say they “won” against all by installing a bike lane.
Other options should and must be considered instead of rushing through irresponsible and illogical changes that will cause immense damage to the locally owned and operated businesses that inform the culture of the Strip District.”

“Please keep Penn Ave as it is. The Strip is a treasure and I believe the changes will impede many businesses in doing business and many visitors may not want to deal with the consequences of the congestion this will cause.”

“Keep two lanes for vehicles (automobiles) on Penn Ave!! We don’t want to lose what we have now!”

“I am a city resident and I visit the Strip District a few times a month and can't imagine what reducing lanes on Penn Ave would do to traffic flow on that busy thoroughfare. Please reconsider.”

“Please don't make these changes to our beloved Strip!”

“The Strip District is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Pittsburgh and usually our first choice when taking friends out to show them the city. There are SO many things to do and see. It has some of my favorite shops, restaurants, and venues in the city. One of the reasons we go there is because it's easy to get to, find parking, and get home. Taking Penn Avenue down to one lane would take that away. Both from the visitors AND from the businesses that call The Strip their home. There's no other place in Pittsburgh like the Strip District. Please, please, please don't take it away from us.”

“Im a biker and still think this is stupid. Roads were made for cars. Bikers need to be aware of cars not act like one.”

“Traffic needs to flow. There are already significant concessions to other-than-motorized vehicles downtown which, as laudable and well-intended as they are, impede vehicular traffic flow, and don't seem to be used much by those other vehicles. Please don't make the same mistake on Penn Ave in The Strip.”

“The desires of a handful of temporary appointees, (DOMI) in a lame duck session, should not be permitted to destroy an entire vibrant historic neighborhoods ecosystem under false pretenses and data, in order to pad their resumes and say they “won” against EVERYONE by installing an unneeded bike lane. We all know that speed humps would do far more for safety, and zero damage to the community. The lies and deceptive tactics are in plain view, and the arrogance is reprehensible. We the people are blue in the face, yet unheard with no vote. If this travesty is allowed to move forward, yet another national gem will wither, die, fall into the hands of the soulless national chains, and ultimately deteriorate beyond recognition. There are numerous examples of this across the country. I live, work, cycle, drive, walk my dog, and take deliveries daily in the epicenter of this corridor. I see it all, so I am an authority. STOP IT NOW!”

“Resident of downtown and employer in the Strip District. This will IMMENSELY impact the already frustrating traffic between downtown and the Strip.”

“Absolutely the wrong action to take to help our small businesses in the Strip!!!”

“How can a mayor be for the people when such a massive amount reject this idea? This is absurd.”