New Airport Terminal, Pittsburgh Mayoral Race: 2021 Look Ahead

Pittsburgh PA

31 December, 2020

3:19 PM

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PITTSBURGH, PA - Attempting to predict what will occur in 2021 is like trying to wrap your hands around a frightened octopus slathered in oil. A year ago, no one could have forecast the monumental events that 2020 would bring, and the fallout from that disastrous year won't end simply by changing the calendar. Much of what happens in 2021 obviously depends on the progress of the coronavirus vaccination program being rolled out nationwide. With that caveat, what follows is what could happen in and around Pittsburgh in the coming year as society struggles to return to some form of normalcy. Coronavirus Vaccinations The state Department of Health is in the first of three phases of distributing the vaccine out to Pennsylvanians. In this phase, efforts are focused on reaching health care personnel, emergency medical services first responders and residents and staff of congregate care settings. In the vaccine program's second phase, a larger number of doses will be available. Efforts will concentrate on first-phase critical populations who were not yet vaccinated as well as the general population. The third phase will focus on ensuring the entire population has access to the vaccine. The state has not announced when it expects the program's second and third phases to begin. Major Development Projects Construction is slated to begin this year on Pittsburgh International Airport's new $1.1 billion landside terminal. The project was delayed in 2020 because of the pandemic, and design changes were made to incorporate an increased focus on public health. In Downtown Pittsburgh, construction is slated to begin on a $200 million, 24-story office building that will be a key component of the redevelopment of the former Civic Arena site. First National Bank will be the building's anchor tenant. Nearby construction will continue on a nearly $30 million project that will create a new urban park linking Downtown and the lower Hill District adjacent to the arena site. The project is expected to be completed in 2022. In the Strip District, a new office tower will replace the New Federal Cold Storage building, best known for its large electronically illuminated outline of a Wholey's fish on one side. The building will have four towers ranging in size from 19 to 23 stories. Road Construction Your guess is as good as anyone's as the year begins. PennDOT is facing money issues, and the state Legislature plans to consider a bond issue for transportation funding in January. "Until they make a decision, we won't know how our district program will look for 2021," PennDOT District 11 spokesman Steve Cowan said. Politics and Government It shouldn't be much of a mayoral race if Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto, as expected, seeks a third term in 2021. He likely would face no major opposition in the Democratic primary, and as for facing a serious Republican challenger, forget it. Pittsburgh hasn't had a Republican mayor since John Herron left office in 1934. Speculation has begun to swirl as to who will run in 2022 to replace Gov. Tom Wolf, barred by law from seeking a third term, and retiring U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey. PennLive has identified a host of western Pennsylvania elected officials who likely will launch trial balloons for those offices this year. They include Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, U.S. representatives Mike Kelly, Guy Reschenthaler and state Sen. Camera Bartolotta. Restaurant and Bar Openings Despite the calamitous impact the pandemic has had on the restaurant business, plans are in the works for a number of new eateries to open in 2021. They include: Capriotti's Sandwich Shop and Viva Los Tacos will open in Oakland, replacing the Original Hot Dog Shop. Tako will open a second location in Bakery Square next to Panera Bread. The original location on Sixth Street, Downtown, will remain open. G's on Liberty will open in Bloomfield on the space occupied for decades by Alexander's Italian Bistro. Caribbean-themed restaurant Wild Child is coming to Etna. Gordo's Tacos & Tequila plans a spring opening on Shiloh Street in Mt. Washington.