This past December, then Mayor-Elect Corey O’Connor met with the AIA Pittsburgh Advocacy Committee to discuss how collaboration among architects, planners, and designers can benefit his administration, our city, and our region. Co-Chairs Brenna Martin-Shaffer, AIA and John Ryan, AIA, along with Executive Director Endy Reindl, met with the mayor-elect and his chief of staff at the AIA Pittsburgh office.
AIA Pittsburgh highlighted recent progress made with city departments such as Permits, Licensing, and Inspections (PLI) and City Planning, as well as the influence and reach of our organization within our city and region. O’Connor shared that permitting was very high on his list for reform, commenting that long process periods for both residential and commercial permits slows down current development and discourages future development. The committee emphasized how a strong connection with PLI and a greater AEC sector focus can benefit not only the PLI department but the administration as a whole in its goal to spur more building and investment in the city.
In his first Executive Order as mayor of Pittsburgh on January 6, 2026, O’Connor codified his desires to speed-up permitting and review the viability of 3rd-party certifications/inspections. The Order named AIA Pittsburgh and allied organizations specifically as advisors to help shape the future of permitting, zoning, and land use matters in our city.
Further conversations centered around our efforts to support the development of a sustainable Comprehensive plan for the city and O’Connor’s interest in growing public art opportunities and partnerships.
The Advocacy Committee sends their thanks to Pittsburgh’s new mayor for his time and and his willingness to continue conversations with AIA Pittsburgh and our allied groups in the AEC sector, including the Master Builders Association, NAIOP, and GBA, throughout his term. O’Connor encourages our members to continue using the one-stop counter at 412 Boulevard of the Allies and to call 311 with any concerns around the city.