WPXI's 11 Investigates reports South Side business owners are publicly turning out in support of the East Carson Street improvement district plan Councilman Bob Charland introduced in May, a district responding to a 26% corridor vacancy rate with an estimated $500,000 annual budget, fully funded by businesses. Visible merchant support at this stage of the process is usually the variable that decides whether a Pittsburgh-style petition drive clears its signature threshold.

Watch: Council vote scheduling, and whether the visible support translates into signed petitions once the formal signature period opens.

Source: WPXI, July 2026

Duplicate check: Continuation of Issue 4 BO-P-12.