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Pittsburgh City Council

Council, mayor dispute ability to terminate the comprehensive plan contracts.

Written by Amy Whipple

Now that the city has already spent $4 million of a $6 million contract to create a comprehensive plan, city council has given preliminary approval to terminate “ineffective and ineffectual” contracts with three consulting firms.

A press release from the Planning Department disputed city council’s authority to terminate the contract.

The legislation states termination will save taxpayers more than $2 million.

The city intended to use the comprehensive plan to guide future development, among other things, over the next 20 years, according to Engage Pittsburgh.

In Feb. 2024, council authorized the two contracts with three consulting firms—Sasaki and Common Cause Consultants, HR&A Advisors and Urban AC—to help create the plan. The contracts totaled $6 million.

The contracts are not available in the city’s public contract portal. Any potential termination fees are not included in the legislation and did not come up in council discussion.

Council Member Anthony Coghill of Beechview, who spearheaded the effort and did not vote in favor of the original contracts, said the consultants have not delivered a level of results to justify the cost. He would like to determine if the remainder of the plan could be completed in-house.

The termination requires the companies to turn over all related communication and documents. It also authorizes the controller to audit the finances and performance of the Department of City Planning.

A statement released by the Planning Department said, “While City Council has the authority to authorize contracts, the negotiation, execution, administration, and termination of those contracts rest with the Mayor and the executive branch.”

 Council’s preliminary approval for ending the comprehensive plan contracts was not unanimous. The vote split seven to two for the Sasaki contract and seven to three for the HR&A contract, Coghill opposed both of those contracts. The final vote is scheduled for the Dec. 22 legislative meeting.

Connections to this story

Elected officials:
Anthony Coghill
Topics:
Housing & Land UseGovernment & Accountability
Governments:
Pittsburgh City Council
Public meetings:
City Council · December 16, 2025
Sources:
Resolution 2025-2482 — authorizing and directing the Mayor, Solicitor, Director of Planning, and Director of Office of Management and Budget…Resolution 2025-2483 — authorizing and directing the Mayor, Solicitor, Director of Planning, and Director of Office of Management and Budget…

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