Action Update: Pittsburgh Police opens new Zone 2 Public Safety Center at 439 Wood Street.
20
officers assigned to Zone 2 Public Safety Center
30%
decrease in homicides from year-to-date 2023
Downtown public safety has long been a top priority for everyone from corporate leaders to residents and visitors. That was the idea behind the new Public Safety Center that opened in late February in the heart of the Central Business District.
Across the street from The Tower at PNC Plaza at 439 Wood Street, the Center will be staffed daily with police officers and social workers.
PNC Bank, which owns the building, engaged its construction team to enhance the building’s structural integrity and to fully rehabilitate the interior with new plumbing, mechanicals and electric systems. PNC designed the space (first two floors and basement) with the Pittsburgh Police in mind, thanks to collaboration with Pittsburgh Public Safety.
To facilitate serving the public, the technologically advanced space includes office and administrative areas, dispatch, a first-floor room flexibly designed to accommodate both roll call and space to meet with community members, in addition to a kitchenette, shower and exercise facilities.
More than a year ago, PNC added to their commitment to downtown by purchasing and rehabilitating several properties on Wood Street in an effort to brighten the corridor and create a mixed-use commercial development for its employees. During this process, it became clear that the bank would have some excess space in one of the buildings. That realization kicked off the conversations among those invested in the safety and success of downtown.
“Pittsburgh is PNC’s headquarters city, and we want to do our part to ensure it remains a top-tier place,” said Kevin Wade, EVP, head of PNC Corporate Real Estate. “We are committed to collaborating with city officials and downtown stakeholders to help move our region forward as a stronger, safer and more vibrant place.”
Currently, neighbors of the Public Safety Building on the 400 block of Wood Street include the DTLR retail store and Ron Jewelers.
“Pittsburgh Police are already making great strides in reducing crime downtown and providing crisis response,” Mayor Ed Gainey said. “This building will provide crews an open space to better assist those in need of help, support downtown businesses and deal with crime. I’m thankful for the City’s ongoing collaboration with PNC Bank that has made this center possible.”
Previously, the downtown Public Safety Center was housed at 604 Liberty Avenue in the Lantern Building.