Pittsburgh streets and landmarks to be featured in Monopoly game
A “Get Out of the Allegheny Jail Free” card?
The newest Monopoly game could include that saying as well as other Pittsburghese references.
And you, Steel City residents, can help decide. Pittsburghers are encouraged to submit their suggestions for the upcoming board game.
Hasbro, the makers of Monopoly, has partnered with Top Trumps USA Inc. to create games focused on specific locations.
Pittsburgh is the ninth city in the U.S. to be included.
The Pittsburgh-inspired game was announced Wednesday on Mt. Washington. Mayor Ed Gainey and Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald joined WQED’s Rick Sebak and the Monopoly mascot to unveil the project — the Official Monopoly Pittsburgh Edition.
CommUnity. Pittsburgh is getting its own #Monopoly edition to celebrate our incredible city! Thank you @Hasbro, @ACE_Fitzgerald, @RickAroundHere, & Mr. Monopoly for today. Now is our opportunity to submit ideas for the board. Send suggestions to pittsburgh@toptrumps.com pic.twitter.com/hnVqcmzlcs
— Ed Gainey (@gainey_ed) February 23, 2022
The game is planned for a fall release.
Imagine the Duquesne Incline, Cathedral of Learning and Primanti Brothers as landmarks, or streets such as Art Rooney Avenue, McKnight Road and Walnut Street where players can build their hotels.
Pittsburghers are encouraged to submit their suggestions for what landmarks they want to see on the board to Pittsburgh@toptrumps.com through March 30.
The game will replace the perennial board game’s famous Atlantic City squares — from Boardwalk to Atlantic Avenue down to Park Place — with representations of cultural sites, historic landmarks and time-honored businesses, alongside Pittsburgh-themed “Community Chest” and “Chance” playing cards to ensure each detail of the game pays homage to life in the Steel City, according to a news release.
Hasbro is a global play and entertainment company which includes approximately 1,500 brands. Top Trumps is a USA division of Winning Moves International, makers of educational card and board games.
Top Trumps is known for bringing official versions of completely customized, city-specific Monopoly boards to the North American market, under license from Hasbro.
“There is perhaps no board game more iconic than Monopoly, which is why it’s no surprise with so many iconic landmarks in Pittsburgh that the city will soon have its own Monopoly,” Fitzgerald said in a statement. “I don’t envy the decision-makers as there will be so many suggestions to choose from that they may need to consider Monopoly Pittsburgh Edition, Part I and II!”
From the Steel Tower to the Sister Bridges, to the Carnegie Museums and the August Wilson Center, Pittsburgh isn’t short on iconic locations to visit and enjoy, said Gainey
“Pittsburgh is proud to be able to celebrate our rich culture and history with this new edition of Monopoly,” he said.
“As a lifelong Monopoly player, I’m imagining new red hotels all around our neighborhoods,” Sebak said.
He is excited to see the design of the game.
“I’m thinking WQED should maybe be on a Community Chest card at least, and I’m always ready to pass GO and collect a cool $200,” Sebak said.
Sebak of Regent Square recalled playing a game of Monopoly last week at a friend’s house. He said he doesn’t have a strategy when playing the game. But he always chooses the top hat as his marker when playing the game.
“I am such a traditionalist, so I would like to see streets such as Grandview Avenue (in Mt. Washington). I have so much love for this city and its neighborhoods that I can’t wait to see what gets chosen for the game. I definitely think Mister Rogers’ trolley should be one of the board pieces.”
And maybe a Port Authority bus?
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region’s diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of “A Daughter’s Promise.” She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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