🎥 Pittsburgh in national spotlight

Springdale Moves Forward on Data Center

The borough council approved a conditional use permit for an AI data center to be built at a former coal-fired power plant site near the Allegheny River. Some residents pushed back on the plan because of concerns about noise pollution, water usage, and power outages. The data center could use as much power at one time as 140,000+ homes. [WTAE / WESA]

NBC Nightly News Broadcasts Live in Pgh

The nation got a look at Pittsburgh on “NBC Nightly News” with Tom Llamas last night as part of the show’s “Reporting in America” campaign. Llamas reported live from the North Shore and did a story about Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Here’s why he chose to broadcast in the Burgh. [NBC / Pittsburgh Magazine]

• Pittsburghers made me laugh with this Reddit thread of places where they thought Llamas should broadcast from — like the room above the Fort Pitt Tunnel or the bottom of Canton Avenue 😆

3 New Businesses Open Downtown

The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership did a ribbon cutting “tour” of three new shops: Origin Story Coffee on Smithfield Street, Confleurtti (a florist) on Fifth Avenue, and Ruckus Cafe on Liberty Avenue. The organization says more businesses are opening Downtown ahead of the NFL Draft. [🔒 Business Times]

• NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says Pittsburgh is “definitely ready” to host the NFL Draft in April, but a lot still needs to get done. [TribLIVE / 📝 City Cast Pittsburgh]

Murray Avenue Grill Closes After 40 Years

The Squirrel Hill restaurant known for its burgers and cozy booths is closing on Dec. 28. The owner says the pandemic put a financial strain on the business. Word is something new is already planned for the space. [KDKA]

How do you get through the ups and downs of living in Pittsburgh? No, really — we have one of the hilliest cities in the U.S.

The answer: a network of hundreds of public stairways locally referred to as “city steps.” This unique infrastructure was the first public transportation system in Pittsburgh.

Today, locals can walk these paths of the past to connect with our city’s history, explore neighborhoods, and get free outdoor exercise — even in the winter!

" If you're going to explore steps, probably the best time of year to do it is in the fall or winter actually, with the leaves down, because you get some really unique views from different sets,” said Matthew Jacob, co-author of “City Steps of Pittsburgh: A History & Guide”

Jacob, along with fellow writers Laura Zurowski and Charles Succop, joined us on the City Cast Pittsburgh podcast to share a field kit to these steep and storied staircases.

If you’re just getting acquainted with city steps, here are author Laura Zurowski’s recommendations for the best flights for urban hikes ⬇️

Jacob Street: Brookline/Overbrook

The Jacob Street stairs are the city's longest walkable flight. They're connected to trails that lead to the South Busway and Brookline Memorial Park.

Basin Street: Troy Hill

Enter at either Cowley-Goettman Park or Province Street to get a stunning view of the city at the Basin Street overlook. There’s a bench where you can relax and take in the vista. 👟 Explore more of Troy Hill.

Greenleaf Street: Duquesne Heights

Access this wooden flight from Shaler Street, and you'll find yourself surrounded by Emerald View park trails. Follow the half-mile Greenleaf Trail for a gorgeous tree canopy and sweeping views of the West End.