Mayor sees city's construction levels as positive evidence of another renaissance

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - March 1, 2009
By Rich Lord

While other cities' leaders are using one r-word -- recession -- to explain canceled projects and construction slowdowns, Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl dares to use another one to describe what he sees: renaissance.

He invoked that hallowed term at a Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership meeting last month, and didn't hesitate to expound upon it last week, even as observers and political rivals voiced doubts.

"I firmly believe that despite the economic conditions in surrounding areas and cities, the numbers and the facts are that Pittsburgh is growing in a lot of areas, we are rebuilding the city, and we are on the brink of a third renaissance," he said.

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