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Hillside Area Development

aerial rendering of hillside

Overview

The upper campus hillside area is undergoing a major transformation, taking a fully integrated approach to develop this space and add new amenities, pedestrian pathways, outdoor spaces, a sustainable stormwater management system and more in the coming years.

Development initiatives include:

  • Enabling Projects
    • New pedestrian pathways to increase ease of mobility through upper campus by adding access points and routes 
      • New stairway will traverse the hillside alongside the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center 
      • Pedestrian routes will allow the campus community and visitors to experience Panther Overlook’s nature and views 
      • An express elevator in the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center will create an accessible journey from O’Hara Street to Panther Overlook 
    • New green spaces for recreation and relaxation
      • Vehicular surfaces have already been reduced, with portions of former roadways to be transformed into serene recreation plateaus 
    • Sustainable landscaping focused on native plant species, which reflects Pitt’s Sustainable Landscape Design Guidelines 
      • Several hundred shade, ornamental and coniferous trees will reforest portions of the hillside, increasing the University’s tree canopy 
      • Pollinator gardens and trees will create new wildlife habitats 
    • Strengthened stormwater management infrastructure, supporting the Pitt Sustainability Plan
      • Approximately four million gallons of rainwater will be captured and reused annually by campus chilled water plants  
  • Campus Recreation and Wellness Center
  • Victory Heights 
    • Includes Petersen Sports Complex renovations, new Arena and Sports Performance Complex, Indoor Track & Field and Band Complex
  • Additional proposed hillside area projects include an upgraded stormwater management system and student housing, part of the Campus Master Plan developed in collaboration with the City of Pittsburgh, Oakland community members, students, faculty and staff.

 

hillside rendering
Hillside Rendering (subject to change)

Timing

Hillside planning is fully integrated, taking a comprehensive and holistic approach to developing the area, with phased completion timelines for each project.

  • Petersen Sports Complex renovations, part of Victory Heights, are complete
  • A new chilled water plant is located on upper campus is complete
  • The Campus Recreation and Wellness Center is targeted to open Spring 2025
  • Victory Heights Arena & Sports Performance Center is targeted to open Early 2026
  • New roads, biking and pedestrian walkways, plus outdoor spaces and sustainable landscapes, will be the finishing touches to the Hillside, with work beginning in October 2024

 

Hillside social area rendering
Hillside Social Area Rendering (Subject to Change)

Learn More

To learn more about hillside development and benefits, read the behind-the-scenes profile with project manager Anastasia Dubnicay.