For nearly 200 years, Western State Penitentiary has stood along the Ohio River on Pittsburgh’s North Side, a fortress that’s seen everything from prison reform experiments to overcrowding, riots, and Hollywood productions. Since closing in 2017, the site’s eerie halls have doubled as a film set for shows like Mayor of Kingstown. But by 2027, it could all be gone. The state has recommended a $40–50 million full demolition, saying it’s the most viable path for redevelopment. Still, locals are pus