🍿 Historic movie theater to reopen

Summer Lee Turned Away from ICE Detention Center

Moshannon Valley Processing Center denied U.S. Rep. Summer Lee entry to assess the living conditions of around 2,000 individuals held there. Someone died in the facility earlier this month. It’s the largest detention center in the northeast, located about three hours from Pittsburgh. [WPXI]

• Know your legal rights during an ICE encounter. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh / 📝 Hey Pittsburgh]

Hollywood Theater Will Reopen this Fall

The historic movie theater on Dormont’s Potomac Avenue will be back in action Nov. 6. Owner of Lawrenceville’s Row House Cinema Brian Mendelssohn began a $2 million renovation almost two years ago. Get a peek inside the plans for its 1920s-inspired art deco design. [NEXTpittsburgh / 🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

• Explore Dormont: Coffee, breakfast and smash burgers, vintage shopping, and more. [📝 Hey Pittsburgh]

Church to Buy Salem’s Hill District Market

After closing the grocery store earlier this year, Salem’s Market is planning to sell the Centre Avenue building to Macedonia Church of Pittsburgh. Salem’s says its prioritizing its Strip District and CMU Campus Market locations. [TribLive]

State Parks Shine in Pennsylvania

Ohiopyle State Park was rated among the best in the nation for affordability, wow factor, and as a hidden gem — and PA has so many more state parks to visit. But why don’t we have any national parks? Nathan Reigner, the first director of outdoor recreation in PA, says (then, as now) it's about what's trending and what goods PA had to offer. [Pittsburgh Magazine / 🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

• Don’t miss Reigner's recommendations for the best state parks near Pittsburgh and the trip you should be planning next. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

Pittsburgh is in its glow up era. The city is getting millions of dollars in public and private investment ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft for areas like Market Square, Point State Park, and the Cultural District. But a bunch of other museums and attractions are seeing (seemingly unrelated) boosts, too. Here’s a rundown of projects in progress.

📍 Heinz History Center

Four buildings along Penn Avenue are coming down to add 92,000 square feet to the Heinz History Center by January 2028. Improvements include a new theater, more room for exhibits, a much larger entry space and outdoor plaza, and additional classrooms and offices.

The Heinz History Center also got an $11.5 million gift from the Kamin family, which will allow the museum to offer free admission for kids year-round, starting in September!

🦒 Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium

Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium is working on its 20-year masterplan and recently got a $10 million anonymous grant that’ll go toward new zoo facilities and programs. An expanded giraffe barn will allow for winter viewing, plus VIP experiences such as “walking along an elevated catwalk and feeding the giraffes eye-to-eye.”

The new Exhibition Indonesia exhibit — a multilevel habitat with waterfalls, pools, and off-season viewing area — will feature orangutans, siamangs, and Malaysian tapirs. Construction begins later this year.

🎸 The Andy Warhol Museum

The Warhol is building a three-story concert venue and event space on East General Robinson Street called the Factory Creative Arts Center. With big glass windows and metal cladding, the design is inspired by Warhol’s famous Factory studios in Manhattan. The estimated cost hasn’t been released.

⚽ Highmark Stadium

The 5,000-seat venue along the Monongahela River will increase its capacity to 15,000 by 2028 — giving our men's soccer team, the Riverhounds, a chance to join the upcoming Division One United Soccer League. The $125-150 million project will also include a club with a banquet space, suites, and more capacity to host concerts and other events.