Your Daily Guide

More Ticketing for Pittsburgh Drivers

Drivers, consider this your warning: Pittsburgh is getting stricter about where you can park and drive. Starting today, police will ticket drivers who use Oakland’s new red bus-only lanes along Fifth and Forbes avenues. After a month of warnings, violations now come with a $25 fine — and fees can push the total to close to $175. Private vehicles also can’t stop in the lanes for pick-ups, drop-offs, or deliveries. [KDKA]

The red lanes aren’t the only place Pittsburgh drivers need to be mindful:

• Purple curbs: Smart Loading Zones are free for 15 minutes, but overstaying can mean a $40 fine. Registered drivers can stay up to an hour for $3 to $8. Anyone is able to register their vehicle, but the program is geared toward delivery drivers. [City of Pittsburgh]
• Sidewalks and bike lanes: Parking in these spaces is already illegal, and City Council closed a loophole this summer that let drivers contest tickets. [BikePGH]
• Other infractions: The parking authority has a full list of fines, including $80 for “deposit of slugs” — aka putting non-U.S. coins in a meter. [PPA]
• Why this matters: Pittsburgh collected $10.1 million in parking taxes from April through June, well below the expected $16.1 million. Officials say the NFL Draft was a big reason for the drop. [WESA]

CMU Lands Billions for Miami Campus

Hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin gave $3 billion, which the university says is the largest single gift ever made to a U.S. university. Of that, $2 billion will fund a new 35-acre CMU campus in Miami, while $500 million will go to CMU’s Pittsburgh-based computer science program (renamed for Griffin) and another $500 million will support other projects on the main campus. [WESA]

Pittsburgh’s Budget Is Still In Trouble

Mayor Corey O’Connor’s new 2027 proposal avoids a tax increase and layoffs but leans heavily on the city’s savings. The administration warned last month we'd be $250 million short over the next five years, with a projected shortfall of up to $30 million next year alone. O'Connor's draft now heads to City Council, where members get to weigh potential changes before the Dec. 31 approval deadline. [TribLive]

The Coffee News I Needed

Dynamic Coffee Roasters is moving into KLVN’s former Larimer space on Hamilton Ave. I was so sad to see KLVN close, but I’m very happy another local coffee shop is going to give the space a second life! Dynamic already has locations on the South Side and in East Liberty. And I have just one request for the new location: please, please, please bring back the KLVN waffle! [Instagram]

Test Your Soil at Braddock’s Fall Fest

Look for Farm Olympics, gourd decorating, line dancing, bicycle-powered ice cream making, and free lunch (I thought there was no such thing!). This year, you can also bring a soil sample for a free lead screening from the Allegheny County Conservation District. To properly collect soil for testing, wearing gloves and a mask, collect five small scoops from different spots within a 100-square-foot area, mix them together, remove debris, let the soil dry completely, then seal one cup in a clear, labeled plastic bag. [Grow Pittsburgh / ACCD]

• Love a fall fest? We made a HUGE list. [City Cast Pittsburgh]

It’s time for recommendations from our City Cast Pittsburgh Neighbors 📣 This is a regular spot in the newsletter where members get to shine a light on their favorite local businesses, organizations, and events. Right now, we’re trying to get 90 new neighbors in honor of Pittsburgh’s 90 neighborhoods.

🌍 Carolyn D. wants to shout out the Society of Women Environmental Professionals (SWEP) Three Rivers Chapter. “This is a vibrant organization of women focused on community, leadership and career development, and public service within the environmental field and they are also just good folks who know how to have fun. Check out the website for upcoming events!”

Want to share your own shoutout? Become a City Cast Pittsburgh Neighbor! And welcome to our new neighbors Sarah B., Paula J., Linda H., Stephanie G. and Evelyn W. You can join too for $10 a month or $100 a year. AND if you sign up today, you’ll receive our parking chair dad hat FOR FREE!