Corey O’Connor was sworn in as Pittsburgh’s 62nd mayor on January 5. Within a month, he’d be managing the biggest snowstorm the city had seen in more than 15 years — while preparing for the NFL Draft in April, which could be the largest gathering in the history of the city.
O’Connor sat down with Shady Ave to discuss those challenges and the road ahead for his new administration.
An Official Outlook on Pittsburgh From Mayor Corey O’Connor
This is the spring issue of Shady Ave, but as we’re sitting here, it’s not looking very springlike. Within weeks of your inauguration, you were hit with a very disruptive snowstorm. What have you learned from this very sudden, on-the-job training?
Mayor Corey O’Connor: It’s ups and downs. When we were in the command center upstairs for the first snowfall, we were all up there, we got there early. We were like, “Oh, we’re keeping up with the pace! Look, we got this street!” … We had some momentum. Then, “Wait, you didn’t get my street yet.” I saw [trucks] go down an hour ago — now [the street is] covered again. I think that was the frustrating part; you couldn’t keep up with it …
So it’s been interesting. I think, you know, calling a state of emergency, bringing contractors, doing something different — having UPMC step up, and now PNC, shows that we are planning out a future. We said we would. We needed ambulances; we’re moving ahead on that plan. Now plow trucks, which obviously we need.
We’ve seen footage posted to Instagram that shows you answering phones, talking directly to impacted Pittsburghers. How has dealing with residents been during and after the storm?
Mayor O’Connor: I think when [I] answer, they’re less aggravated. But I understand the frustration. I’m the same way — I have to clear my pathway. Somebody sent an email and said, “You haven’t touched my street.” So then we did the street, but they were ready to leave and the snow covered their driveway. It’s such a hard thing to balance, and we haven’t seen this much snowfall in a very long time.
I think there can be a feeling that, whether it’s micro-issues like plowing or big issues like structural changes, things move awfully slowly. Not just in Pittsburgh, but certainly in Pittsburgh. How do you change that perception?
Mayor O’Connor: When it comes to building new housing or development or projects, giving them windows where they have to get it done … Prove to me that, if we are going to invest or work with you on a project, that you can actually get it done and get it done quickly.
That’s also on us. We have to make sure permits are easier. And permits aren’t [a problem] for big developers — they have money that, if they’re delayed a month, it’s not going to hurt them. Who it’s really going to hurt is that small entrepreneur that wants to start a pizza shop or restaurant. That’s why we focus on permits first …
Come to us with a project. What can we do to help? Maybe it’s not funding, but maybe it’s getting a site shovel-ready. Maybe it’s getting you in front of a partner that knows how to get a project done.
Speaking of public perception: We’re in a pattern of mayors coming into the office with a lot of excitement and enthusiasm, and that enthusiasm waning over time. How do you break that streak?
Mayor O’Connor: I think you just build momentum and try to keep that momentum going. Whether it’s groundbreakings, whether it’s me out in a neighborhood … Even if you’re walking down the street and there’s a street sign that’s worn out — remove it. Whether there’s a trestle in the Strip that’s ugly — paint it. I think you build momentum if you focus on details, too. Overgrown lots. Ballfields that have weeds growing out backstops. Painting a mural again.
Little things like that go a long way to prove that you are out in the neighborhoods hearing directly from them. Most of my day shouldn’t be in the office; obviously, you have meetings here, I get that. But it doesn’t hurt to go to a rec center and talk to somebody. Get out in the community and be accessible. I think that’s the thing that continues the momentum.
It sounds like campaigning, in a way.
Mayor O’Connor: It’s going to the neighborhoods, it’s reaching out, it’s listening. So often, mayors can get caught up in, “Another community meeting?” No, we have to go to community meetings. People want to see you. People want to get face time.
Shady Ave is traditionally an East End magazine. These are areas that have seen tremendous growth, but some of that growth has left folks behind. What’s your philosophy on shepherding development?
Mayor O’Connor: I think you need responsible development — but we also need housing quick, and a lot faster than we’re [adding it] right now. Obviously, there’s a process … planning, zoning board, all of those things. We maintain those processes. But it’s also getting a sense: “Why are you building four units of scattered site? … Is there a way you can partner to do 50 at once?” All of a sudden, your costs go down, because you’re not just doing [a handful], you’re buying in bulk. Somebody who wants to purchase, they’re not at a high-end price — they’re more at a reasonable, affordable price …
You have to make sure that [development] is inclusive, but then, how do we get more units up quicker? Then rates will go down because there’s more supply.
There are estimates that April’s NFL Draft will be the largest gathering in Downtown’s history. Logistically, what are your concerns going in?
Mayor O’Connor: Our job that week, besides safety — which is a lot, and we’re going to have assistance from a lot of people to do it — is making sure that … people who have never been here are going to go home to Denver or San Diego or whatever and say, “Wow. I’ve never been to Pittsburgh, and it’s a really cool spot.”
We’re also providing opportunities that have never been there before. We have 50-something storefronts Downtown that we want to fill for new entrepreneurs — if you have a coffee shop, a bakery, a yoga studio, reach out to the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership. Let’s fill in these first few floors with vibrancy that’s all Pittsburgh … Look at all the art and culture and restaurants and capability that we have if we work together to fill Downtown.
And for those of us who are thinking, “I’m going to go away from Downtown that week,” what would you say?
Mayor O’Connor: I would encourage people in Pittsburgh to come to it — it’s once in 32 years that we get to host this! And this is the first time! Don’t miss out on the action because it’s going to take you 10 extra minutes to get Downtown. We want Pittsburghers to be front and center; we want you, when the Steelers make their pick, to make it feel like the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. We want that Pittsburgh vibe pretty heavily.
The big thing for us that week is selling what Pittsburgh is and what it can be. You’re going to have 50 million viewers [to show that we’re] not the steel mills anymore. It’s tech, robotics, entrepreneurs — what Pittsburgh is. Arts, culture, everything. We have to do a better job of selling ourselves to the country and to the world at that point.
Finally, we knew we could find former Mayor Bill Peduto at Cappy’s in Shadyside. Where can we find you?
Mayor O’Connor: I go everywhere! With two kids at home, it’s not often we go out for drinks anymore. If you want to see me for breakfast, it’s probably Kelly O’s or Pamela’s in the Strip. For lunch, I just got back from Lot 17 in Bloomfield. I could go on and on — my kids like to walk to Point Brugge and get some fries. I do like Showcase BBQ [for takeout]. [Note: Mayor O’Connor later added that he’s a fan of the Bulldog Pub in Morningside.] Honestly, I pop up almost anywhere. I’ve gotta get a shoutout for Big Jim’s. Love Big Jim’s.
Are you declaring a winner between Pamela’s and Kelly O’s?
Mayor O’Connor: They’re both good!
Story by Sean Collier
Photos Courtesy of the Mayor’s Office