Though Pittsburgh will likely never have the appeal of other American cities like Los Angeles, New York City or Miami, that's not going to stop Mayor Luke Ravenstahl from attempting to get more, and better, retail shops into downtown. With what seems to be a fairly solid and detailed plan, hopefully Pittsburgh can continue to shake its industrial stigma and start being able to more effectively market itself as a thriving, clean and fun American city.

Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl announced millions of dollars in improvements, including new bike lanes and improved street lights, Nov. 14 as part of a three-year action plan intended to boost Downtown’s retail corridor.

In cooperation with the Downtown Retail Task Force, convened by Ravenstahl in January, Ravenstahl unveiled the Downtown Action Strategy plan, which aims to use $18 million to $20 million in upgrades to turn the neighborhood into a “24/7 destination.”

The report outlines strategies to entice retailers to move businesses into Downtown, including expanding districts surrounding the Cultural District, developing transportation alternatives such as taxi initiatives and bike share programs and attempting to coordinate building code requirements with existing buildings’ upper floor redevelopment.

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