Allegheny County

Proposed Esplanade development on Pittsburgh’s North Side receives $10M boost

PITTSBURGH — The $600 million project aiming to bring a Ferris wheel, splash park, marina, ice skating rink and housing project to Pittsburgh’s North Side has received $10 million in state funding.

According to our partners at the Trib, Millcraft Investments, based out of Washington County, purchased 5.5-acres of property along the Ohio River from Pittsburgh’s Urban Redevelopment Authority for $1.5 million in December. The $10 million in state funding came from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.

The Trib reported the project has been in the works for years and would include a 45,000-square-foot pavilion for year-round entertainment, a courtyard and winter garden, fresh food market, retail kiosks, restaurant, marina and a Ferris wheel. A 300-unit apartment building is also in the plans. The construction of the project will generate 7,100 jobs and 4,500 jobs would remain upon completion.

Developers said there’s also a possibility that there will be an aquarium, more housing and a hotel.

The Trib said the project is still in the design phase and the developer hopes to begin construction in 2024.