The University of Pittsburgh on Monday announced it will invest $5 million in Pittsburgh’s parks, business districts and public safety efforts.
The contribution will be spread over the next five years, according to the university.
“Since our founding 239 years ago, the success of the city of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh has been intertwined,” Chancellor Joan Gabel said in a statement.
The $5 million investment will be aimed at specific areas that align with Mayor Corey O’Connor’s priorities, as well as those outlined in the school’s strategic plan, dubbed Plan for Pitt.
The money will support neighborhood parks throughout the city, public safety initiatives and O’Connor’s Main and Main initiative, which aims to revitalize business neighborhood districts.
Officials did not provide a detailed breakdown of how much of the cash would go to each area. The university said the mayoral administration would identify areas in public safety where the funding could “make the most meaningful difference.”
“Not only does Pitt bring pride and vibrancy to the city and engage with our communities, but they also have a history of investment in our shared vision for the future of our city,” O’Connor said. “This contribution will help fund our initiatives in neighborhood parks, Main and Main neighborhood business corridors and promote public safety.”
The university more broadly contributes about $1.8 billion in economic impact to the city each year, the school said. Pitt, the second-largest employer in Allegheny County, also invests more than $7 million each year in “long-standing neighborhood commitments and vital community programming,” said Kevin Washo, the university’s vice chancellor for external relations.
That includes entrepreneurship support, wellness programs and tutoring for students in kindergarten through high school.
“Pitt is deeply committed to being a good neighbor, and the investments announced today are just the latest in many examples of the university stepping up to the plate for the betterment of the entire community,” John Verbanac, chair of the university’s board of trustees, said in a statement.
The university’s announcement comes after UPMC in January donated $10 million to Pittsburgh for new ambulances. The PNC Foundation provided the city an additional $2 million for snowplows. Those contributions will allow the city to replace deteriorating vehicles that are prone to breakdowns and often in need of costly maintenance.
The city finds itself facing serious financial challenges. O’Connor this month announced he feared the budget was millions short. He introduced a series of budget amendments that would tap into the rainy day fund and slash empty job positions to find more money to cover costs like bridge maintenance, vehicle repairs and retiree health care.
City officials for years have said they’d like to see the city’s biggest nonprofits — including its universities and health care systems — provide more financial help to the city since they don’t pay taxes. A report from the Keystone Research Center earlier this month showed the region’s five largest nonprofits would pay about $133 million to Pittsburgh, Allegheny County and Pittsburgh Public Schools each year if not for their tax-exempt status.