More Paris is Coming to Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership is expanding its popular Paris to Pittsburgh program thanks to a third of a million dollar grant. The program helps street level businesses downtown to make improvements to their building’s façade. In the past the funds have gone to restaurants but the program will be expanded to other businesses.

“When folks think about Paris they think of vibrant outdoor cafes and people sitting out enjoying a beautiful day of people watching and sipping coffee and that is exactly what we are trying to do with this program,” said Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership CEO Jeremy Waldrup

The program began in 2008 and has handed out more than $800,000 to 41 restaurants for Façade improvements and outdoor cafes. Tonic Bar and Grill, Moe’s Southwest Grill and Primanti Bros. are aong those who have received grants. “So when you are out there enjoying a beautiful day like today on their outdoor patios that is the thanks in part to the Paris to Pittsburgh Program,” said Waldrup.

The maximum grant through the program is $25,000 and Waldrup hopes to be able to fund 8-12 projects through the $350,00 grant from the Colcom Foundation this year. “If we get rid of it in three months that would be an excellent problem to have.” Business owners are required to match the grant money dollar-for-dollar.