Pittsburgh Main Thoroughfares and the Down Town District Improvements Necessary to Meet the City's Present and Future Needs

In this detailed civic report, early 20th‑century planners lay out a bold vision for reshaping Pittsburgh’s bustling core. With maps, statistics, and vivid descriptions, they diagnose cramped streets—like the two‑lane East Ohio and the four‑lane Fifth Avenue—and the urgent need for wider arteries to ease growing traffic. The authors argue that a safer, more efficient grid is essential not only for commuters but for the city’s economic health.

Beyond traffic, the document offers concrete proposals for a new traffic center, expanded market streets, and a revitalized waterfront that could become a civic landmark. It also explores parks and recreation, suggesting neighborhood green spaces and a grand civic center that would balance industry with livability. The tone is both pragmatic and hopeful, inviting citizens to imagine a Pittsburgh that is convenient, beautiful, and future‑ready.