The Stanley Cup might pass right under their windows, but for most big Downtown businesses it will be business as usual, with a chance to catch the Penguins championship parade.
The parade begins at 11:30a.m. Wednesday from the corner of Liberty Avenue and Grant Street. It will head down Grant Street to the Boulevard of the Allies, where it will turn right and finish at a stage set up near the intersection with Stanwix Street.
According to the Pittsburgh Public Works Department, the first street closures will begin at 9 p.m. Tuesday, at Stanwix Street between Fort Pitt Boulevard and Third Avenue, as well as the Boulevard of the Allies between Commonwealth Place and Wood Street.
Wednesday morning at 9 a.m., the Boulevard of the Allies between Wood and Grant streets, and Grant Street from the Boulevard of the Allies to Liberty Avenue will also close.
The route takes the cup and the players past UPMC’s offices in the US Steel Tower. UPMC spokeswoman Courtney Caprara said as a health care provider, UPMC needs to keep patient care top of mind even when a celebratory parade is passing below its downtown office windows.
“If (employees) can break away from their work without disrupting patient care or if they’re in a role that does not provide patient care they may be at the parade,” Caprara said. “Those who can’t leave their positions can still show their Penguin spirit by wearing Penguin’s gear in addition to their uniform.”
UPMC will send volunteers out into the streets to pass out signs congratulating the Pens on their successful season.
Farther down Grant Street, the parade will pass the more than 7,000 BNY Mellon employees in the company’s Pittsburgh office building.
“Employees are encouraged to wear business appropriate attire tomorrow,” said BNY Mellon spokesperson Ron Sommer. Those employees will also be encouraged to “cheer on the Pens as the parade passes.”
The parade is expected end at the stage by 12:30 p.m., for celebratory speeches and, no doubt, more kissing of Lord Stanley’s Cup. For BNY Mellon, the celebration will last into the night.
“As we did this past weekend, we’ll show the Pens’ colors on our roof-top signage tomorrow night as a final tip of our caps to the champions,” Sommer said.
The Babst Calland law firm will use the opportunity to raise a few dollars for charity. Spokeswoman Lori Dunlap said, while they can’t shut down the office for the day, they will allow employees who make a donation to the Muscular Dystrophy Association to wear jeans.
It seems jeans will be the attire of the day for many downtown employees who still have to find their way into the Golden Triangle to work.
“We’re relaxing our dress code, allowing employees to wear jeans and Penguins gear,” said Highmark Spokesman Aaron Billger. “Employees who wish to perhaps extend their lunch time and go to the parade are welcome to do so, but they need to work with their managers.”
Highmark has about 6,000 employees in the downtown area. Billger said the lucky ones will be able to watch some of the events unfold from their office windows.
City officials plan to begin reopening streets as soon as possible.
