This month, the City of Pittsburgh took a major step forward in transforming how public dollars are invested—with equity and access at the center. From August 20-21st in a two-part convening led by Mayor Ed Gainey, city departments, regional partners, and community organizations came together to operationalize the Regional Workforce Equity Agreement (RWEA) through a live, on-the-ground pilot project.

The revitalization of Robert E. Williams Memorial Park in the Upper Hill District represents more than just infrastructure upgrades—it marks the launch of a bold, new model for inclusive economic growth.

What’s Coming to Robert E. Williams Memorial Park

As the City’s first project under the RWEA, the new Schenley Heights Pavilion at Robert E. Williams Memorial Park will feature:

• A new playground
• Full-court basketball surface
• ADA parking and accessible amenities
• Rooftop patio, charcoal grills, and expanded indoor event space

But just as important as the physical transformation is the policy transformation behind it. This project activates new standards around:

• Disadvantaged business participation (MBE, WBE, LGBTQ-BE, VOSB)
• Disadvantaged worker and apprenticeship utilization
• Prevailing wages, anti-discrimination policies, paid sick leave, and second-chance hiring

Regional Collaboration in Action

The City partnered with organizations across the region to bring this vision to life—including Partner4Work, Partners for Public Good (PPG), and a broad coalition of unions, philanthropic leaders, and community-based organizations.

During the convening, teams discussed how to embed equity into every step of the public contracting process—from vendor outreach to compliance monitoring.

A highlight of the event was a pre-bid and matching meeting, where local vendors learned about the City’s updated procurement process and the equity-focused requirements now in place with the goal to create a process that is clear, inclusive, and opportunity-driven.

About the Regional Workforce Equity Agreement (RWEA)

Announced in October 2024, the RWEA is a pioneering framework that ensures public construction projects in Pittsburgh prioritize:

• Equitable hiring practices
• Job quality and worker protections
• Opportunities for historically excluded communities

Key sections of the agreement include:

• Section 2.29: Economic Inclusion Commitment
• Section 2.30: Workforce Equity Goals & Good Faith Efforts
• Section 6: Vendor Questionnaire covering labor standards and inclusion policies

What’s Next?

The Schenley Heights Pavilion project is now live! We encourage all eligible vendors to review the solicitation and apply by going to the City's Procurement Portal.