City Cast Pittsburgh
🏙️ A Smithfield Street comeback?
June 12, 2026 · — Francesca Dabecco
Happy Friday! “Pittsburghers” was a category on Jeopardy this week. If you didn't catch the show, an intrepid Redditor shared most of the clues, but there was one answer some people are up in arms about.
We talk about this notorious Pittsburgher's latest controversies in our members-only segment of today's podcast. If you want to find out who this person is and why we don't claim her, become a Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm 👀
What's CITY Talking About
Pittsburgh Drops Legal Challenges Against Nonprofits
Mayor Corey O’Connor’s administration has quietly withdrawn many of his predecessor's property appeals — attempts to get the city's "Big Five" nonprofits to contribute more toward public services. O’Connor says he’s taking a less adversarial approach. Since taking office, he's announced millions in donations from nonprofits like UPMC, Pitt, and PNC Foundation. [🔒 Post-Gazette]
Pushback Continues for Springdale Data Center
A data center developer in the small river town held an open house to show the public how it's responded to feedback, but critics are still pushing for more regulations. Many residents have concerns about air pollution, noise, rising utility costs, and other issues. [Public Source]
- Learn how towns across PA are responding to — and protecting themselves from — the state’s data center boom. [The Conversation / City Cast Pittsburgh]
A New Purpose for Western Penitentiary?
The former state prison, a massive Gothic-style building in Marshall-Shadeland, might not get demolished after all. PennDOT is considering redeveloping the 21.7-acre site. [TribLive]
- Filming location? RV park? Learn about various visions and uses for the site since the prison closed in 2017. [City Cast Pittsburgh]
City Studies Retail Potential On Smithfield Street
The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh hired a design firm to see how the city might breathe new life into the long-vacant storefronts below Mellon Square. Mayor O’Connor hopes the space could host a restaurant with outdoor seating. [🔒 Business Times]
- Smithfield Street was once a destination for shopping and dining. Can it make a comeback? [City Cast Pittsburgh]
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What To Do
Friday, June 12
- 🎙️ Sexy Spaghetti at The Glitterbox (West Homestead)
- 🍔 Carnegie Second Fridays at Main Street (Carnegie)
- 🤠 Saddle Up Summer Soiree at Sewickley Quarter (Sewickley)
- 🎸 Summer Concert Series at Allegheny RiverTrail Park (Aspinwall)
- 🐦⬛ Garden Party: Gothic at Mattress Factory (North Side)
- 🎶 Summer Concert Series at South Park Amphitheater (South Park)
- 🏳️🌈 Pride Opening Night Benefit at Spirit (Lawrenceville)
- 🍻 Parks on Tap Beer Garden at Schenley Park Cafe (Oakland)
- ⚽️ World Cup Watch Party at F.N.B. Stadium (South Shore)
- 🌈 21+ Night: Queer as Folk at Kamin Science Center (North Side)
- 💎 Book Bedazzle Evening at Blythe Books (Brentwood)
- 🛶 Paddle at Night with Venture Outdoors (Downtown)
- 🥾 Riverview Park Walk & Talk with Women’s Press Club (Perry Hilltop)
Saturday, June 13
- 🌈 Lawrenceville Pride on 52nd Street (Lawrenceville)
- 🍻 Beers of the Burgh Festival at Carrie Blast Furnaces (Rankin)
- 💥 Pogopalooza at XPOGO HQ through June 14 (Wilkinsburg)
- 📦 Neighborhood Yard Sale (Morningside)
- 💸 Annual Yard Sale (Mexican War Streets)
- 🌚 Allentown Night Market at Warrington Avenue (Allentown)
- 🚴 Biking 201 at Homewood YMCA (Homewood)
- 🧑🌾 Garden Chat at Garden Resource Center (Larimer)
- 📖 Garden Party Book Fair at the Garden & Civic Center (Greensburg)
- 🛍️ Night Market at Allegheny River Boulevard (Oakmont)
- 💰 The Big North Boroughs Yard Sale (multiple neighborhoods)
- 🖼️ YArt Sale at The COVE Art Center (Avalon)
- 🍔 Highland Park Block Party (Highland Park)
- 🪩 Club A.M.: Pride Edition at the Market House (Lawrenceville)
- 🎶 Summer Music Series on Walnut Street (Shadyside)
- 🧺 12th Annual Summer Picnic at Penn Forest (Verona)
Sunday, June 14
- 🎶 Summer Concert Series at Hartwood Acres (Allison Park)
- 🛍️ Neighborhood Flea at SouthSide Works (South Side)
- 🏡 South Side Home & Garden Tour at Esser’s Plaza (South Side)
- 💰 Neighborhood Yard Sale in Highland Park (Highland Park)
- 🐐 Goat Yoga at Freedom Farms (Butler)
- 🍕 PizzaFest at Hazelwood Brew House (Hazelwood)
- 🧑🌾 Carnegie Farmers Market on East Main Street (Carnegie)
- 🧶 Stitch N Pitch at PNC Park (North Side)
- 🧑🎨 Hands on Graffiti Tour at Carrie Blast Furnaces (Rankin)
- ✂️ Maker Prompt-a-Rama at Protohaven (Wilkinsburg)
- 🚶 Walk with a Doc at Highland Park Resovoir (Highland Park)
- 🪶 Birds of a Feather at Hope Haven Farm Sanctuary (Sewickley)
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2026 Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival
Get ready, Pittsburgh—the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival is back at the brand-new Arts Landing downtown! Enjoy two weekends of free music, an artist market, food, dance, family activities, and more June 5-7 and 11-14.
Catch concerts by Spin Doctors, The Pharcyde, Trousdale, Joan Osborne, The War and Treaty, and many more! Plus, incredible performances by vertical dance company Bandaloop and an interactive performance by Squonk. Presented by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
Happy 40th anniversary to The Clarks! The iconic Pittsburgh band celebrated the big milestone with a concert in the Mayor’s office on Wednesday, and O’Connor declared it “The Clarks Day.” Check out their anniversary show at Stage AE this Saturday.
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