PITTSBURGH -- Market Square is a place to shop and dine in downtown Pittsburgh -- but in recent years, it also became a gathering place for drug dealers.

WTAE Channel 4's Andrew Stockey reported that the tide is turning and the historic district is poised for change, as public safety improves and developers move in.

"It's a great place to come down and have fun, but if you come down here and sell drugs or use drugs, we will do the best we can to make sure it's a very bad experience for you," District Attorney Stephen Zappala said.

Business leaders in the square met with Zappala on Wednesday at the local Primanti Brothers restaurant to review the recent progress and discuss ongoing plans to clean up the area.

"The private sector intervened, giving information and concerns they have, and they are listening and they are acting as well," Primanti Brothers developer Michael Kratsas said.

A partnership between local law enforcement and the many businesses in the Market Square community has resulted in some shops being shut down under the nuisance law.

"Based on a partnership with them, we detailed narcotics detectives, and within a period of 90 days, we made 50 arrests down here," Zappala said.

"We are very satisfied," Kratsas said. "I mean, you can really see the difference the last couple years with what has happened."

"We have seen great strides," said Lucas Piatt, of Millcraft Industries. "It's a big elephant, and the only way to eat it is one bite at a time."

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