We’ve been hearing about the big Esplanade project for at least six years. This is the one that would develop 15 acres on the west side of the West End Bridge along the Ohio River and the one with the Ferris wheel. Channel 11’s Alyssa Raymond spoke with Lucas Piatt about where the project is and how he’s confident it will become a reality.
“It would be nice to bring some life to the area,” said Joseph Russian of Brighton Heights.
Every week, the Russian walks the River Trail from Brighton Heights to Downtown Pittsburgh.
“It looks empty, and that’s nice if you want some peace and quiet,” says Russian. “But if there were more to do, that would be great too.”
So far, Piatt Companies is on track to do much more in this area. It briefed the Planning Commission on October 15 and another briefing is scheduled for the end of this month. A final action hearing is then scheduled for November 12, with the possibility of having construction equipment on site by the spring.
“Every major project takes time,” says Lucas Piatt, CEO of Piatt Companies.
In addition to the Ferris wheel, plans are still underway for the project to include an aquarium and a marina with spots for houseboats.
“The Ferris wheel gets a lot of attention, but the reality is that the economic impact comes from housing, retail and hotels,” Piatt said.
According to the PA Economy League of the Allegheny Conference, this project is expected to cost approximately $740 million and create approximately 9,300 construction jobs and 4,500 permanent jobs. It is also expected to generate $997.5 million in annual spending for the region.
“It’s going to create a beautiful neighborhood that will appeal to recreation, biking and walking,” Piatt said. “The waterfront, the rivers and connecting the beautiful natural resources we have in this region really showcases that.”
Boaters like Judy Albrecht love the idea.
“We’ll see if it goes through,” Albrecht said. “They’ve been saying that for years.”
There is still skepticism about whether it will ever become a reality.
“I appreciate the doubters,” Piatt said. “It fuels what we do. Everything good is worth fighting for, and this is a project worth fighting for. We made it through the pandemic. We continued with it when interest rates went through the roof. We caused this through cost increases, and we are going to make sure that happens.”
According to the latest update, construction could begin in early 2026 and the first phase of the project could be completed in 2027 or early 2028.
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