Pittsburgh City Council is voting today on next steps for developing a new public safety center.

Pittsburgh City Council is scheduled to vote this morning on next steps for developing a new public safety center. The proposed center in the Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar neighborhood would be built on the site of the old VA Hospital on Highland Drive. The idea dates back to 2018, during former Mayor Bill Peduto’s time in office. The city bought the property in 2021 for just one dollar — but there's a catch: it must be used for public safety or emergency management. The proposal has sparked significant debate. Proponents argue that the center would improve operational efficiency and bring much-needed modernization to law enforcement. Critics, on the other hand, caution that it may contribute to the militarization of the police. A preliminary vote is scheduled for later this morning.