The Airport Authority’s $1.1 billion renovation of Pittsburgh International Airport security, baggage facilities, arrivals area and amenities has further spurred private investment in Pittsburgh’s “tech renaissance.”The city’s education, technology and medical innovations helped bring in over $22 billion in investments over the last decade and more than $687 million invested in local tech companies in 2017. Nearby new private developments include the 195-acre Innovation Center and Pool City Plaza in the Robinson Retail hub. Innovation Center will feature office, research laboratories, warehouses and industrial manufacturing, as well as a town center with restaurants, retail and entertainment. It is set to attract international commerce through newly awarded foreign trade-zone designation. Pool City Plaza is a newly transformed 47,500-square foot two-parcel retail center adjacent to Target in Pittsburgh’s primary four-million square foot Robinson retail hub located minutes from the Airport. Formerly ignored, the center was recently over hauled and 100% leased to national and regional tenants with long term net leases including national plumbing supplier Ferguson Enterprises, fitness chain Orange theory, Pool City and The Yard, the “official grill cheese provider of the Pittsburgh Penguins.”

“Pool City Plaza’s revitalization at a special exit off airport highway I-376 is a small echo of the billion-dollar airport renovation,” stated Judah Fuld, Associate of Neuman Commercial Group, a Washington-DC based investments sales firm tapped to now sell the newly renovated retail center. He added: “Google, Apple, Facebook, Uber, Microsoft and IBM are among 1,600 tech firms that have come to Pittsburgh over the past decade, and airport renovation is the newest rising tide lifting all boats.”

Major neighboring retailers Ikea, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Costco, Lowe’s and Home Depot all stand to benefit from the airport expansion, as well as thousands of employees at nearby Park Lane and RIDC Park West Office Parks, CIGNA call center and FedEx Ground and Bayer Corporation Headquarters. The Allegheny County Airport Authority stated that the airport’s new iconic, practical and affordable design will adapt as technological and transportation needs change and will generate approximately $1.66 billion in economic activity with 11,000 direct and indirect jobs.