I am guessing these steps do not get a lot of use. There are only a few houses on Sawyer Street and I am guessing almost no foot traffic on Butler Street. According to the City of Pittsburgh Steps website the bottom of these steps is at the bus turnaround. Now, there is not even a bus stop at the bottom of these steps.
What is also obvious is that there has been some recent tree cutting around these steps. I can guess that one or more of the large trees being cut fell across the city steps railings and broke them off. The detour for these steps is long enough that it justifies the cost of the railings being replaced.
These steps are made of concrete, and are not in the worst condition I have seen here in Pittsburgh. What does need to be repaired is that the railings are almost entirely missing for the top half of these steps.
There is also a pile of bricks at the top of the steps. I am guessing that whoever is clearing the trees is also recovering the bricks from down on the slope.