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Market Square Set for Renovation ahead of 2026 NFL Draft
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- Market Square Set for Renovation ahead of 2026 NFL Draft
Downtown Pittsburgh Partnership
The Pittsburgh planning commission has voted to move forward on a plan to revitalized Market Square ahead of the city hosting the 2026 NFL Draft.
The planning commission voted 7-0 on on Tuesday, allowing plans to move forward to renovate the city's public focal point, with a goal of having the work done before the draft comes to town next April. The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership is overseeing the project.
The plans include removing traffic from the entire southern half of the square, increasing outdoor dining space and allowing for better traffic flow for pedestrians. The new work will also include a pergola-like structure that will serve as a functional space for the holiday markets and other events that frequent the square.
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In addition to upgrades to Market Square, Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro has also pledged upgrades to Point State Park between now and the draft next spring.
" Pittsburgh has established itself as one of the most dynamic cities in the country — and as the birthplace of professional football, it is the best choice to host the draft," Shapiro said last year at the announcement that Pittsburgh would be hosting the 2026 NFL Draft.
"With all eyes on Pennsylvania during the nation's 250th birthday, the Commonwealth is excited and ready to work together to host this historic draft and show the country what Pennsylvania is all about."
The work continues to get ready for the draft, around the city and among the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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"You know, there's a lot of work to be done and April of 2026 will be here before you know it and so we have a lot of people working hard to make sure that we're ready, and I think we will be," Steelers president Art Rooney II said last month.
The Steelers will be sending a team along with Visit Pittsburgh to Green Bay to watch and learn as the Packers host the 2025 NFL Draft this April.
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