Changes to Expect in Pittsburgh for 2015

Photo by daveynin

There are some exciting things planned for Pittsburgh as we approach the new year. From investors boosting more funds for area startups to improvements on waterfront trails like the Three Rivers Trail beside our offices, 2015 is looking like a prime time to be in the "Steel City". Keystone Edge compiled a list of some of the development and other projects that are planned for 2015. Here are some of the highlights: 

1. Riverfront Ventures
Investment is booming here thanks to a new Pittsburgh-based fund launched by Innovation Works. This fall, Riverfront Ventures announced it will invest $24 million in local early-stage companies. It’s common knowledge by now that Pittsburgh is home to a burgeoning tech scene supported by first-class universities, grassroots organizations and influential start-up accelerators. Recently, entrepreneurs have been moving back to Pittsburgh because, in addition to those resources, the city now has a growing pool of eager investors. To wit: In Pittsburgh, in the first nine months of 2014, the $250 million in venture capital dollars flowing to growing technology companies outstripped the annual totals for each of the past five years.

2. Waterfront Development
Point State Park and its environs across the Allegheny and Ohio rivers are now beautiful and bikable, thanks to a recent facelift. The Three Rivers Water Trail, a network of non-motorized craft access points in the Pittsburgh region, is a blessing for the ‘Burgh. And the Three Rivers Heritage Trail now extends over 24 miles along both sides of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers, making it an almost complete route for cyclists, walkers, runners and, in some cases, rollerbladers.

For 2015, let’s take that bike beauty and stretch it east. Over 30 more miles of trails are planned, including continuation along the Allegheny River as part of theErie to Pittsburgh Trail Alliance. Strong bike trail connectivity would be a boon to Pittsburgh’s reputation as a place for healthy living and easy commuting.

3. Pittsburgh Bike Share
While we’re on the subject of outdoor recreation, let’s look ahead to the Pittsburgh Bike Share, set to launch in 2015 on Earth Day. Pittsburgh Bike Share plans to open with 500 bikes across 50 stations, with the goal of expanding to 1,500 bikes across 500 locations.

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