🪑 Pittsburgh’s viral parking war

Improvements Coming To Smithfield Street

Construction will begin this summer to make the Downtown roadway more pedestrian-friendly. The city plans to widen sidewalks for outdoor dining, install curb bump outs at intersections, plant trees, and add artistic light installations. Upgrades to Smithfield Street, once a bustling shopping destination, have been more than 10 years in the making. [WESA / 🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

Airbnb, VRBO Bookings Are Through the Roof

Around 90% of Pittsburgh’s short-term rental properties could be occupied during the NFL Draft in April, according to one analyst. The city has about 3,500 of these rentals — a 15% increase from 2024. [Public Source]

• Some housing advocates argue that short-term rentals can hurt the local housing supply, leading city lawmakers to consider regulating them. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

U.S. Steel Restarts Battery After Blast

Clairton Coke Works is bringing battery 13 back online, nearly six months after two people were killed and several others were injured during an explosion at the site. battery 14, also damaged in the blast, resumed operations in October. [🔒 Post-Gazette]

• A federal chemical safety board is still investigating the explosion. The Trump administration wanted to shut down the agency, but Congress passed a funding bill to keep it going. [PBS / Safety + Health]

Deadline Extended for City Tax Discount

Because of mail disruptions from the recent snow storm, Pittsburgh is pushing back its filing deadline for real estate tax discounts. Pay online or postmark your mail by Feb. 17 to get a 2% discount. [City of Pittsburgh]