Challenges and Divisions Mark Pittsburgh Mayor’s Bid for Re-election

Ed Gainey was visibly proud on Thursday ahead of the groundbreaking for the African Queens Apartments, an $8.1 million mixed-use project in Pittsburgh’s Hill District. The development will feature 12 affordable housing units, two commercial spaces, and resident services including financial literacy support.

Having grown up nearby in a neighborhood with similar challenges, raised by a single mother in subsidized housing, Gainey is intimately familiar with the boarded-up buildings and vacant lots that have long characterized the area. He made history nearly four years ago as Pittsburgh’s first Black mayor.

“One of the most rewarding experiences is being able to invest in the place where you grew up—where you played, worshiped, and worked,” Gainey said at the ceremony. The project’s name pays tribute to a former record store on the site that will be demolished to make way for the new building.

“Affordable housing is essential, and we need to build a city that remains accessible to all,” the mayor told attendees. “By supporting and stabilizing our neighborhoods, we can create a community that works for everyone.”

This moment showcased Gainey’s compelling vision, the promise that helped propel him into office amid a wave of progressive support that resonated strongly in Pittsburgh during the pandemic.

However, the realization of this vision remains distant, and it is uncertain whether Gainey will remain in office long enough to oversee its completion.