Mayor’s OK can move carts to Thackeray

The fate of Pitt’s food vendors now lies in the hands of Mayor Tom Murphy.

Pittsburgh’s City… The fate of Pitt’s food vendors now lies in the hands of Mayor Tom Murphy.

Pittsburgh’s City Council voted yesterday to approve Councilman Bill Peduto’s proposal, which would move the trucks to a new spot on campus. The trucks were forced to leave their former Schenley Plaza parking lot location Feb. 28, to accommodate the beginning of the Schenley Park Plaza construction.

The proposal did not go through without an amendment. While Peduto originally proposed moving the trucks to DeSoto Street, across from Children’s Hospital, the Council recommended moving them to Thackeray Street instead.

Dan Gilman, a spokesperson from Peduto’s office, explained that the neighboring hospital and ambulance traffic on DeSoto Street made Thackeray seem like a better option. Gilman also pointed out that if the trucks move to Thackeray, between Fifth Avenue and O’Hara Street, they would be closer to Towers, the Cathedral of Learning and the rest of Pitt’s lower campus.

The mayor has 10 days to sign the bill, according to Gilman, who expects a decision will be made by the end of the week. The bill would permit the trucks to remain on Thackeray until June 30.

Peduto, who officially entered the mayoral race Thursday, has said that “progressives and reformers” make up his base of support. In a January interview with The Pitt News, Peduto said he believes students could “control the election” from Oakland, if they make necessary arrangements to cast votes in the May 17 primary.