Downtown Pittsburgh, also known as the Central Business District, is "everybody's neighborhood." Anyone who calls themselves a Pittsburgher either works or plays Downtown. But to more than 3,000 Pittsburgh neighbors, Downtown Pittsburgh is also home.
The Mellon Arena, the Benedum, Heinz Hall, Point State Park, major department stores, hundreds of specialty stores, and easy access to all other neighborhoods makes Downtown the City's most convenient neighborhood.
For the first quarter of the 19th century, Pittsburgh was a major way station for goods in transit to the burgeoning markets to its west and south. However, the arrival of the railroad and a decline of the river trade, combined with competition of newer cities closer to western markets, began to lessen commerce's significance to Pittsburgh's economy.
Ready availability of raw materials such as coal and timber had earlier encouraged industry in the city -- iron, smelting, glassmaking, metal working, textiles and boat building. Secure in the competitive superiority of its raw materials, Pittsburgh turned more and more to heavy industry. The city was on its way to becoming what Charles Dickens termed "hell with the lid off."
In the 1980's, Pittsburgh experienced its second renaissance with new office buildings and a subway. The Downtown area has increased its availability of residential opportunities for many Pittsburghers. With the completion of several rental apartment complexes, the growth for central city living has greatly increased over the years.
Downtown Pittsburgh is represented by City Council District 6.
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--Neighborhood description courtesy of the City of Pittsburgh. All rights reserved.
