Mayor Tom Murphy is hoping that the people who fought his now-dead Fifth-Forbes Downtown Development Plan, which called for the city to acquire and demolish more than 60 buildings, will help him with "Plan C."
The "C" stands for compromise, and it appears that both sides are ready to work together.
Murphy held his first Plan C meeting Monday morning at Station Square. He talked with leaders of the city
History and Landmarks Foundation, the group Preservation Pittsburgh and a group of city
merchants and building owners.
"I thought it was a good meeting," Murphy said. "I think we were all candid in airing of past gripes and opportunities for the future."
The future is what's known as a Main Street initiative -- a plan to rehabilitate the exteriors of existing buildings rather than seizing and tearing them down through the use of eminent domain. Plan C also could include the addition a mix of retail, entertainment and housing to the downtown area.
"We have had very successful Main Street plans in the South Side and Butler Street in Lawrenceville," Murphy said. "So we understand how Main Street works."
That's welcome news to business owners who want to stay in business downtown.
"The local businesses that want to stay can stay," business owner Patty Maloney said. "People who want to leave always have the ability to leave."
Maloney said that she has no hard feelings for the mayor.
"I think that everybody needs to get over it," she said. "It's a new day. Let's just keep going ahead."
The mayor plans more meetings with downtown business owners in the weeks ahead.
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