Camiros worked with the City of Pittsburgh to create a Riverfront Zoning Amendment that is responsive to the City’s changing economy, and that recognizes and accommodates the diverse uses and characteristics of Pittsburgh’s riverfront areas.

The City of Pittsburgh’s 35 miles of Ohio, Allegheny, and Monongahela Riverfront include parts of 19 different neighborhoods, each with a distinct character, economy, and (as this is Pittsburgh) topography. The demand for redevelopment along these 35 miles is increasing; new uses and users are choosing to locate along Pittsburgh’s riverfront in close proximity to existing industrial businesses and residential neighborhoods.

The City’s previous riverfront zoning - predominantly industrial - did not effectively address the diverse, mixed-use nature of much of the new development and redevelopment occurring along the three rivers, land that had once been used solely for industrial activities. Moreover, it also failed to adequately protect the existing industrial uses and businesses currently operating in the area, which often require river access to thrive.

The process, and the resulting Riverfront Zoning Amendment (RZA) sought to balance industrial, commercial, residential, and recreational uses – addressing potential conflicts with the goal of reinforcing the existing character, the “grit and shine” that define the City of Pittsburgh and its riverfront.