Pittsburgh International Airport Economic Market Analysis & Land Development Strategy

Owner/Client

County of Allegheny, Pennsylvania

Allegheny County Airport Authority

Location

Pittsburgh, PA

CEC Services

  • Market Analysis
  • Master Planning
  • Financial Feasibility Analysis
  • Priority Sites
  • Catalytic Projects
  • End-User Prospects
  • Implementation Action Plan

Owner Objective

As a key component of the Pittsburgh region’s economic gateway, Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) plays a pivotal role as a catalyst for business attraction and retention. Allegheny County Airport Authority (ACAA) was seeking an action plan to leverage airport services, location, and amenities as a basis for enhancing the airport’s gateway role and for growing non-aeronautical revenue.

CEC Approach

The consulting team, led jointly by CEC and MXD Development Strategists, conducted a comprehensive “Economic Master Planning” process that included market analytics, physical site analytics, broad conceptual alternatives, and financial feasibility analytics. Working with a multi-party steering committee formed for the project, the CEC/MXD Team identified an “Airport Innovation Campus” theme as a key driver of the path forward. Linked with a separate regional initiative to develop a Pittsburgh Innovation District based in the Pittsburgh downtown/university core, the newly branded Pittsburgh Airport Innovation Campus (PAIC) will provide airport-connected space for innovation-related uses that will not fit in urban Pittsburgh. The CEC/MXD team prepared an action strategy for implementation that commenced in the fall of 2018.