[PA Pride]

Awesome re-do of the first page of this thread Urbandesi!!!

Also, speaking of awesome, the front page of www.post-gazette.com which has the interactive grpah of the larger Pgh projects that Evergrey posted one page back here, is amazing.

Go Pgh!! It's starting to get exciting.



Let's face it, it's been very sad recently losing Alcoa HQ to NYC, Mellon HQ to NYC, PNC is always on the brink of being swallowed up by a larger bank;


But the postive news lately about Venture Capital companies opening up all over the place and Pitt/CMU being on the cutting edge of Science/Medicine/Biotechnology/Nanotechnology/AI/Robotics/IT/Internet Companies, Pgh is gonna be the next Boston or Seattle.... I'm sure of it!! We have ALL the pieces of the puzzle of becoming one of the absolute most important intellect cities in America... It will happen.. And that will help a population & development boom. That is my prediction simply based on the facts. Anyone else agree that the future looks really, really good for Pittsburgh??

[PA Pride]

Did you know that the Co-founder/ CEO of YouTube is from eastern PA and went to IUP? Little known fact.....

[PhillyRising]

Did you know that the Co-founder/ CEO of YouTube is from eastern PA and went to IUP? Little known fact.....

I did! I did!

Chad Hurley..IUP Class of 1999.

PhillyNation...IUP Class of 1988.

:D

[xyagentguy]

Either the current president or vice president or previous president or vice president (one of the big wigs) of MTV graduated from Clarion.

[Brentsters]

Hey guys,
I've read here for a while but mostly only lurked. But since the update in projects, I wanted to know if any of you knew anything more about new artist condos/studios at the corner of Penn and Fairmont right next to that newish orange, checkered building. Right now there are some rundown buildings at the site but on another website it said construction was to begin around now.
Since its a flash site I cant post the renderings but they seem pretty interesting. It definitely seems to go along with that area's arts connection and also helps connect penn ave between East Liberty and Friendship

Anyways, http://www.lubetz.com/....If you click on the featured projects link it's the first one.

[Evergrey]

oooh... nice find Brentsters... I was just walking past that site this evening and wondering if anything was gonna be done with those vacant crappy retail spaces there... didn't appear there was any work on that site yet.

the scale of the project is quite significant and the renderings are engaging... Lubetz seems to have quite the roster of innovative, provactive projects here in Pittsburgh


turns out we did actually mention this project in this thread as it was briefly mentioned in a Pop City article posted on page 24 last November... though this is the first I've seen the renderings

http://www.popcitymedia.com/features/movetofriendship.aspx

"Brand new townhouses will soon appear at the corner of Penn Avenue and Gross Street. Another new project is the Penn Fairmont Apartments which feature 60 units of senior housing and 7,500 square feet of retail space. Phase II of the project, the Corner Building at Penn and Fairmount, consists of 15 loft condominiums, 8,270 square feet of retail or restaurant space as well as artist studios. In another much smaller project, the FDA renovated three apartments behind the Quiet Storm coffee shop at Penn and Graham."

[hyperion1110]

Hyperion1110...IUP Class of 2007!!!

Everyone show your IUP-ness!!! :)

[Evergrey]

I took some photos of the new $575 million dollar Children's Hospital at Penn and 44th in Lawrenceville today... it is designed to meet LEED-certified "green" standards

http://www.chp.edu/about/new_building.php

http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/76523157.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/76523158.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/76523407.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/76523409.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/76523411.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/76523412.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/76523414.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/76523418.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/76523419.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/76523428.jpg

Here's a photo of the recently completed Pittsburgh Children's Home & Lemieux Family Center on Penn in the Friendship/Garfield area
http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/76525444.jpg

Here's the recently completed Penn Fairmount Apartments... which are right next to the project Brensters brought to our attention... 60 senior housing units and retail space.... I agree with UrbaniDesDev that the architecture seems very SoMa-ish... I can't wait to see the vibrancy once those retail spaces are filled... just as long as they're not check cashing places
http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/76525455.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/76526726.jpg

[BMikeSci]

Hey guys,
I've read here for a while but mostly only lurked. But since the update in projects, I wanted to know if any of you knew anything more about new artist condos/studios at the corner of Penn and Fairmont right next to that newish orange, checkered building. Right now there are some rundown buildings at the site but on another website it said construction was to begin around now.
Since its a flash site I cant post the renderings but they seem pretty interesting. It definitely seems to go along with that area's arts connection and also helps connect penn ave between East Liberty and Friendship

Anyways, http://www.lubetz.com/....If you click on the featured projects link it's the first one.

Very interesting project. The lubetz website says march 2007 for the start date. Have they actually started on this yet?

thanks

M

[Evergrey]

I came across this on Black St. in Garfield... not sure when it was built... I know there's a lot of housing construction going on there thanks to the Bloomfield-Garfield Corp... so maybe this was mentioned sometime in this thread
http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/76526737.jpg

It appears work still has not started on the Highland Building residential conversion in E. Liberty... it is slated for completion... along with a new hotel in 2009
http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/76529038.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/76529052.jpg

construction continues on EastSide... I wonder who the new tenents will be... the developer has purchased the properties on the other side of Highland Ave.
http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/76529053.jpg

Borders opened recently
http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/76529055.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/76529056.jpg


Took some photos of Liberty Park in E. Liberty... Phase one is 124 mixed-income rentals with restoration of street grid...
http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/76527579.jpg

the residential skyscraper in the background is slated for demolition soon
http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/76527587.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/76527590.jpg

a variety of building styles
http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/76527592.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/76527594.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/76527595.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/76527597.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/76527600.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/76527601.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/76527604.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/76527606.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/76528763.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/76528772.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/76528776.jpg

[themaguffin]

Penn Fairmount Apartments

These have been advertised ("featured") often in Pop City for a while now.

[cdc]

Where is Google building their Pittsburgh engineering office?

They are in the lower level of the CIC building on Forbes at the
western end of the main CMU campus ( http://www.cmu.edu/corporate/colab/
and also http://www.dggp.com/projects/e_cic/ ).

You can see down into the google space from the south side of the
Forbes Panther Hollow bridge (e.g. look for the pool table).

There are also plans afoot to build a second CIC building. See
http://www.popcitymedia.com/developmentnews/28nanotech.aspx ... as I
understand it, this would be across panther hollow from the current
building (i.e. on the museum side). They may try and connect the
buildings with a pedestrian bridge across panther hollow ( see the
"Section Model of Lobby" view on the DGGP link, above).

[BMikeSci]

Here's another store in Market Square:


PITTSBURGH -- A local bakery is back in business for the first time since a devastating fire.
The Jenny Lee Bakery officially opens to customers Monday morning.
Fire nearly destroyed the McKees rocks factory on Thanksgiving Day.
The shelves will be stocked at Jenny Lee's retail stores in McKees Rocks and Market Square in downtown Pittsburgh.

[BMikeSci]

"The Southside Works is a tremendous opportunity for us," Mayor Ravenstahl added. "I know there's going to be a hotel that's established and really linking the current Southside Works facility where it's at to the riverfront. It's a goal of mine to continue the development along the riverfronts in Pittsburgh."

[themaguffin]

Dormont’s Hollywood Theatre reopens with a twist
March 29th, 2007 by phlfnews
By Laura Pace,
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Thursday, March 29, 2007

Boris Karloff would be rather at home in the dark, dank basement beneath the remodeled Hollywood Theatre in Dormont.

So mused the film buffs who have taken over the old-style movie theater, which opens tomorrow after a total restoration.

“This is the only theater I’ve worked in that isn’t haunted,” said manager Dan Bahur, who is reprising a role of his own. He managed the theater 20 years ago and will oversee its re-opening tomorrow.

But the rebirth of the Potomac Avenue theater has a twist. It is being operated by The Bradley Center, a residential program for children from traumatic backgrounds of abuse and abandonment, said the center’s chief financial officer, Garry McGrath.

The Mt. Lebanon campus houses about 70 youths in its McNeilly Road facility, which is within walking distance of the theater.

The theater has hired about 14 of the kids, ages 16 to 19, as staffers, to sell tickets and snacks and be ushers and cleaners. For many of them, it will be their first job interacting with the public.

They will start out making minimum wage but will have the chance to move up to higher pay as they become mentors for other children who want to work there.

The three-pronged goal is to provide a “sheltered vocational opportunity” for the kids, who also will be part of a revitalization of a community by bringing the theater, which closed in 1998, back to life, Mr. McGrath said. Also, if the theater brings in more than its projected $380,000 annual operating budget, the funds could help raise money for needed programs and items such as clothes for the kids.

A staff counselor will be available to help them through the challenges of the job and the theater will be part of their education.

Upstairs from that musty basement is a totally refurbished theater, replete with high definition DVD projectors and digital cable TV projectors alongside the classic 35mm film projectors. Dolby Digital sound surrounds the room. The red, comfortably cushioned seats rock and armrests, which fold up, have cup holders.

According to cinematreasures. org, the theater was built by Warner Bros. Theaters in the late 1940s.

The seats are 23 inches wide, some of the widest in the industry, Mr. McGrath said, and they are set back 50 inches from the row in front — so far that patrons won’t have to get up if someone in the row has to leave, nor will they get kicked in the seat back by a toddler.

Red runway lights line the aisles and new curtains cover the walls. A bank of coffeehouse-style seating sits off to the side in the back of the theater and the original balcony has been preserved. Plans include a party room or cry room for infants on the side of the balcony.

The renovation to seating and A/V equipment cost $260,000 and was paid for by grants. Since The Bradley Center leases the building, the landlord kicked in some improvements as well.

The theater will be showing second-run movies and the hopes are that the center can get permission from the NFL and the Steelers to run Steelers games. Scaffolding over the stage could allow for musical events.

Concessions are half of what they are in conventional theaters, with a candy case stocked with the ubiquitous Sno Caps and Raisinettes for around $2.

A handicapped accessible bathroom is in the refurbished lobby but the general Art Deco-style rest rooms are downstairs, along with a lounge that will host an art show of pieces the youths have produced at the center.

Mr. McGrath grew up in Mt. Lebanon and spent some of his youth at the Hollywood Theatre, which also was known for midnight showings of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”

Nothing that salty will be shown these days. Films will be rated PG-13, PG and G only.

Admission is $3 and opening movies include “Dreamgirls” and “Night at the Museum.” Friday’s show times are 5:15 p.m. for Night and 7:45 for Dreamgirls. Saturday and Sunday show times are 2:30 and 7:45 p.m. for Dreamgirls and noon and 5:15 for Night.



This is good news, but seems to be missing some great potential by not targeting cinema fans (with classics and indies and otherwise quality films for adults who like film). Family will typically go to the cinemaplex.

[BMikeSci]

I dug around a little to find this:

he URA board also signed off on architectural and financial plans for the August Wilson Center for African American Culture, Downtown, as well as a new Carnegie Library in the Hill District. City-owned land for each project was conveyed to the developers for $1.

Construction on the $35.9 million Wilson center -- on nearly an acre along Liberty Avenue near Tenth Street -- is to begin in April. It will include a 500-seat theater, exhibition galleries, a music cafe, education center and gift shop.

--

So keep your eyes open for this to start this month. In 2006, this was supposed to get underway. That is one month after the shovel in the ground cerimony. But now URA approval has been finalized, so look for heavy equipment to roll this month.

[BMikeSci]

All the more reason why a plan with a temporary casino should have been chosen:


More Pittsburgh Casino Delays
March 2nd, 2007 · No Comments

It has only been a few days since Don Barden and the Majestic Star Casino announced that it would not be able to meets its initial projection of opening in March 2008 because of delays in awarding the casino license.

With both losing casinos in Pittsburgh appealing (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette link), the revised projection will need to be revised again — unless Barden commits to constructing the casino while the appeal takes place.

Given that the appeals process is expected to take up to 6 months (according to the Philadelphia Inquirer), and the construction of the casino projected to take 14 months after that, it looks like a better estimate of the opening of the casino is early Spring, 2009.

[themaguffin]

The temp casino was to be during construction of the main one. Neither can start while the appeals process is happening.

[themaguffin]

Pop.... April 4, 2007

http://www.popcitymedia.com/galleries/Default/Dev%20News/Issue%2055/larryville_300.jpg




New townhouses coming to Lawrenceville
Phase two of the Penn Avenue Townhouses project is underway in Lawrenceville. Construction is expected to begin within two weeks on two new townhouses located at 3514 and 3518 Penn Ave.

The new units will be sold at a market rate of approximately $180,000. Financing for the $400,000 project is provided by the URA and Dollar Bank. During the project's first phase in 2005, three new townhouses were constructed along Penn Ave.

“This is part of an overall strategy to provide a high-quality product and attract homeowners to the area,” says Kelly Hoffman, real estate manager with the Lawrenceville Corporation, the project developer. “We are really excited to start the construction of two brand new townhouses on Penn. The first phase of this development was extremely successful and these two houses will sell quickly.”

Project architect is Southside-based Hanson Design Group; contractor is George Gallagher and Son. The 1,820 square-foot, three-story townhouses will feature three bedrooms, 1½ bathrooms, front porches, and basements. Buyers will have the option to finish a third floor at an additional cost.

“Lawrenceville has fantastic shops, restaurants and all of the amenities of city living. This is a great location for someone working at the new Children's Hospital, or for someone who wants to be in a great neighborhood,” says Hoffman.

[BMikeSci]

The temp casino was to be during construction of the main one. Neither can start while the appeals process is happening.

I thought that Barden had opted out on a temporary casino because of his ambitious schedule.

[themaguffin]

I thought that Barden had opted out on a temporary casino because of his ambitious schedule.

I believe that was part of the reason, but regardless, a temp casino couldn't run during the appeal.

[BMikeSci]

"Detroit businessman Barden thinks North Shore slots a lock"

So why doesn't he start construction? Surely 12 months of additional revenue should offset some of the risk of starting now. He doesn't have to spend everything prior to ending the appeals process, by why not start some of the site prep? Does anyone know how much revenue will be lost by his change of schedule?

Bayesian logic suggests that there is a fulcrum point where starting earlier would make sense.

[SteelCity15]

"Detroit businessman Barden thinks North Shore slots a lock"

So why doesn't he start construction? Surely 12 months of additional revenue should offset some of the risk of starting now. He doesn't have to spend everything prior to ending the appeals process, by why not start some of the site prep? Does anyone know how much revenue will be lost by his change of schedule?

Bayesian logic suggests that there is a fulcrum point where starting earlier would make sense.

agreed, I'm not sure why he hasn't started building yet.

[BMikeSci]

I was down on the north shore today. The new subway station/hole in the ground has been started. Also a lot of work is being done on the sidewalks. I spoke to a worker who said that there had been a lot of cracking because of a design problem. All in all, it's very nice over there along the river.

[Evergrey]

i'll be honest... i have no idea what these people are talking about... charm bracelet... neighborhood treasure hunt... huh?

http://www.popcitymedia.com/developmentnews/55charm.aspx

April 4, 2007

Children's Museum presents Charm Bracelet talk, receives project grant

Architect Doug Suisman will discuss the Charm Bracelet Project tonight at 6 p.m. at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. Santa Monica-based Suisman Urban Design was part of an international team selected to develop ideas for a Northside family district.

“The thing that struck our team was the history of Allegheny City. We’re interested in how cities get to be the way they are,” says Suisman.
Citing 518 buildings destroyed during urban renewal, he adds, “People are struggling to find the bracelet for the charms because the connective tissue was destroyed. It’s an incredible opportunity to rebuild what was lost. We found great optimism because of the strength of neighborhood, cultural and preservation organizations.”

Last week, the museum received $100,000 from The Grable Foundation to hire a Charm Bracelet Coordinator and implement proposals such as a neighborhood treasure hunt. “It’s an opportunity to connect institutions and create a true walking city. The neighborhoods are strong, but you cannot have a doughnut with a hole in the middle,” says the father of two who is spending his spring vacation in Pittsburgh. “The critical thing is to recognize the extraordinary importance of the 1784 plan that could form the nucleus of a very exciting, sustainable, urban center.”

A Charm Bracelet exhibition is on view in the Children's Museum’s lobby; a web component will be launched in coming weeks. To r.s.v.p. for the talk, contact Maggie Orzechowski at morzechowski@pittsburghkids.org.

Writer: Jennifer Baron
Source: Doug Suisman, Suisman Urban Design

Image courtesy of Doug Suisman


http://www.popcitymedia.com/galleries/Default/Dev%20News/Issue%2055/suisman_300.jpg


the rendering appears to restore the street grid... which would be a HUGE improvement... I can't stand dealing with that stupid Square everytime I go to the North Side

[Evergrey]

traffic this and traffic that... never build anything ever again in the city cuz you're gonna increase the damn traffic!


http://www.popcitymedia.com/galleries/Default/Dev%20News/Issue%2050/elmhurst_group_300.jpg

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_500997.html

Pittsburgh panel backs building, limit on bars

By Mike Cronin
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, April 4, 2007


Pittsburgh planners on Tuesday gave conditional approval to build an eight-story medical and office building in North Oakland and a zoning rule that would limit the number of new bars in the South Side -- and possibly other neighborhoods.
The Pittsburgh Planning Commission voted 7-1 to allow The Elmhurst Group to move forward with its proposal to build a complex on the corner of Bayard and Ruskin streets provided the company files construction, exterior sign and traffic management plans for approval by the city.

About 10 people pleaded with commission members to vote against The Elmhurst Group's proposal. They said it would worsen snarled traffic, reduce limited parking and bring more people to an overcrowded area.

"It doesn't take a crane to knock something down," said Valda Gebhart, 63. "Our community is going to be demolished by the construction of this building." (EG: Jeebus Christ! lol)





Gebhart and fellow residents became upset when Raymond Hildreth, The Elmhurst Group's director of real estate, told the commission that Select Medical, of Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, would no longer be the building's primary tenant. Select Medical had planned to operate an acute-care facility within the complex.

"Now, (The Elmhurst Group) is asking you to approve (the building) without even knowing who's going to be there," Gebhart testified.

Commission members unanimously approved, pending approval by Pittsburgh's legal department, City Councilman Jeffrey Koch's idea to revise a zoning rule in order to prohibit new liquor-serving restaurants and bars in the South Side from opening within 150 feet of any two existing establishments. Planning officials said the proposal could affect parts of Lawrenceville, Garfield, Friendship and Bloomfield, too.



Mike Cronin can be reached at mcronin@tribweb.com or 412-320-7884.





...



more on the South Side bar ban.......... are we tinkering with a successful neighborhood... a neighborhood that has won national awards for its revitalization? are we giving in to the Valda Gebharts of Pittsburgh or is this a legitimate problem that is destroying the South Side? Also nice to see that this ban will affect the organic development of Penn Ave. and Butler St.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07094/774875-53.stm

Bill to limit South Side bars advances

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

By Ed Blazina, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette



The city planning commission took the first step yesterday toward returning "civility" to Mary Ellen Lee's South Side neighborhood.

The board voted unanimously to recommend that City Council approve an ordinance prohibiting new liquor licenses within 150 feet of any two other liquor licenses along East Carson Street.

According to a map prepared by the city Planning Department, that would mean new licenses would be mainly allowed at the far ends of East Carson, a popular strip that has been causing increasing problems for the neighborhood around it because of a shortage of parking and an abundance of disorderly bar patrons.

The ordinance was developed by Councilman Jeff Koch, who amended his original proposal after the commission said it was too broad and would have restricted licenses in unintended areas. Mr. Koch's amendment limited the ordinance to business districts of 7,100 feet or more, which was designed to include only East Carson Street.

However, the commission almost derailed the effort when staff identified two other areas where it could apply: Butler Street in Lawrenceville and Penn Avenue in the Bloomfield-Garfield area. The commission considered rejecting the proposal until those neighborhoods could be consulted, but it relented when South Side supporters said that a half-dozen pending licenses that are on hold would be approved if the ordinance was rejected.

The commission's recommendation requires an opinion from the city Law Department and hearings involving the other two neighborhoods.

Ms. Lee, representing the South Side Historic Society, supported the proposed ordinance. She said she recently was accosted by two bar patrons as she entered her South 23rd Street home, one aspect of continuing problems the neighborhood has experienced.

"People who come to the South Side seem to think they can throw away all civility," she said. "We need help and the help will come from you."

Statistics presented by Michele Margittai of the South Side Community Council's bar task force supported Ms. Lee. Ms. Margittai said the number of liquor licenses has increased from 77 in 1996 to 100 this year. Arrests for drunken driving in the South Side have tripled since 2004.

Patrick Ford, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's director of community and economic development, said the mayor strongly supports the proposed ordinance. The mayor recently spent a night in the neighborhood as bars let out so he could see the problems firsthand. He plans to convene a task force next week to address concerns.

"[This ordinance] will not solve all of the problems, but it will arrest many of [the residents'] concerns," Mr. Ford said. "It allows us some breathing room ... to address these problems systematically."

Mr. Koch said the ordinance is "just the first step" in dealing with problems in entertainment areas. City Council, which Mr. Koch said strongly supports his effort, will advertise the legislation and hold hearings within 21 days before voting on it.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Ed Blazina can be reached at eblazina@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1470. )


Nice to see Mayor cracking down on alcohol-fueled belligerent behavior....

[BMikeSci]

Bill to limit South Side bars advances

Will this bill do what the residents want? I doubt it. More bars may not mean more drinkers - maybe just more choice and more investment in the area. Right now, the south side is a major destination for drunks. I don't think they will stop going to the SS if this bill passes. Wouldn't it be better to encourage investment there and use the added tax revenue to put some cops out walking the beat?

[mercurypa]

Agreed. So what if some geriatric people can't handle change in their neighborhood. Therer are plenty of other quiet neighborhoods in the city for them to live. I think a greater police presence and enforcement of loitering/littering laws etc would have a greater impact. Let's stop handing over our city's energy to the geriatric set.

[Evergrey]

http://pittsburgh.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2007/04/02/daily19.html?surround=lfn

Schenley Place project to move forward without hospital

Pittsburgh Business Times - 10:11 AM EDT Wednesday, April 4, 2007
by Ben Semmes

Oakland's Schenley Place project, envisioned as an acute-care tertiary hospital, has lost its only tenant but on Tuesday the Pittsburgh Planning Commission approved Uptown-based The Elmhurst Group's plan to move forward with a speculative office building on the site.

Mechanicsburg-based Select Medical Corp. is no longer involved in the 120,000-square-foot, eight-story project at Bayard and Ruskin streets, said Bill Hunt, president of The Elmhurst Group, the project's developer.

The building would be built on the parking lot of the First Baptist Church.

Despite the Planning Commission's decision, the project could still be held up in court.

The project was first called into question by the city's Historic Review Commission, which ruled against the project twice because of its size -- originally set at 140,000 square feet and 10 stories. The developer agreed to reduce the height of the building to eight stories, but Historic Review Commission members who opposed the project said they would accept only a six-story facility.

An Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas judge overruled the Historic Review Commission in both cases.

Neighbors have continued to fight the project, filing two court cases in regard to the project's size and its proximity to the historic neighborhood Schenley Farms.

bsemmes@bizjournals.com | (412) 208-3829

what a load of b.s. ... that area immediately proximate to Schenley Farms is already filled with buildings of this scale ... this is just historic preservationism taken to the delusional extreme... where the city must cease to grow and evolve in order to satisfy the whims of well-to-do Valda Gebharts

[themaguffin]

Oakland needs taller buildings as space is limited. These shouldn't be issues that can be protested. This is nothing.

[BMikeSci]

Why in the world would someone want to stop the building of a hospital? I understand that traffic is a problem in Oakland, but the way to solve that is with light rail, bicycle lanes, and taxi service - not building restrictions.

BTW, there is a great spot on fifth avenue at the start of the bluff near the downtown that would be great for a hospital.

http://www.trulia.com/property/1032298675-1016-5th-Ave-Pittsburgh-PA-15219

[BMikeSci]

Interesting whitepaper on transit in Oakland

http://www.oaklandtaskforce.org/publications/TransportationWhitePaper.pdf

[RamsayHank]

i'll be honest... i have no idea what these people are talking about... charm bracelet... neighborhood treasure hunt... huh?


Actually, this is high-profile enough that it caught the attention of Metropolis:

http://www.metropolismag.com/cda/story.php?artid=2577

Alluring Plans for Pittsburgh
The city’s North Side receives an injection of design ideas from a charming competition.

By Charles L. Rosenblum
Posted March 23, 2007
For Pittsburgh’s historic North Side—where historic nineteenth century row houses remain among the concrete scars of 1960s Urban Renewal—the “Charm Bracelet” ideas competition proposes a wide-range of interdisciplinary revitalization schemes. Organized by the Pittsburgh Children’s Museum, the competition’s title implies that the nearby cultural institutions, including the Andy Warhol Museum, the National Aviary, the Carnegie Science Center, the Mattress Factory, and theHazlett Theater, are charm-like features that can use architecture, landscape, and art to make beneficial physical and visual connections to the surrounding neighborhoods. And while the competition’s name is quaint, “everybody understands its meaning,” says Children’s Museum Deputy Director Chris Siefert, who organized the competition with architect Paul Rosenblatt of Springboard Design.

Siefert and Rosenblatt sought interdisciplinary teams through an RFQ process and guided a limited competition process that emphasized different design interventions at various locations rather than a single programmatic mandate. Participants included local as well as entrants from distant coasts and continents. Faculty and students from the Urban Lab at the Carnegie Mellon School of Architecture conducted community meetings, provided informational support to the competitors, and produced their own design schemes for the exhibition of the submitted projects.

Charm Bracelet complements the renovation and expansion of the Children’s Museum under Executive Director Jane Werner. The resulting building by Koning Eizenberg Architects has won national awards for design and preservation and roughly doubled museum visitorship. Sponsoring organizations, including the NEA and Heinz Endowments, supported Werner’s desire to extend thoughtful design and community-oriented processes further into the neighboring communities. Werner believes the results from the competition demonstrate “the role good art and excellent design can play in strengthening a vision.”

The exhibition, which closed earlier this month, seemed slightly hampered by time and money constraints, with provocative ideas not always refined completely or represented with the highest levels of finish. Still, the diversity of scale and practicality seemed healthy and the associated public presentations were well-received. “I hope they all get implemented,” said one enthusiastic neighborhood resident.

Though funding is not yet in place, Mattress Factory Executive Director Barbara Luderowski offered to host a gathering to plan steps for implementing smaller-scale designs quickly.

**
Teams that participated in the competition include:
- Pentagram (Paula Scher, Drew Freeman)
- Colab Architecture (Felecia Davis) with CLEAR (Julia Czerniak), Brett Yasko, SO-AD (David Burns), and Kim Fox
- Suisman Urban Design (Doug Suisman, Eli Garsilazo) with RAND Corporation (Liz Ondaatje), Pure Design, and Lisa Miles
- muf architecture / art with Objectif, Jocylyn Horner, and Liz Ogbu.

http://www.metropolismag.com/webimages/2577/2005AV01_014.jpg

http://www.metropolismag.com/webimages/2577/PentagramLED.jpg

http://www.metropolismag.com/webimages/2577/brett_yasko_05.jpg

http://www.metropolismag.com/webimages/2577/czerniak_northavestripDAY.jpg

More images on the site.

BTW - caught a performance of the Pittsburgh Symphony here in Seattle last night - you guys don't know how good you have it...

[themaguffin]

Allegheny Center needs to go. The picture related to the bracelet seems to make it appear as its gone. I'm not sure I follow on what is replacing it as if something were to happen it would be big news. However, this great space would be wasted potential if it is another cluster of tiny North Shore buildings.

Vision really needs to happen. This waste of space eyesore needs to go and it needs to be replaced by a smart, dense develpment that acts as its own destination and also an extension of downtown. While vacancy rates are high downtown, if they weren't and new buildings (bigger than 6 stories for love of life...) then where would they go? Despite current conditions, it would be wise to plan downtown's growth and reclaiming the center of theN Side would be a great way to do it.

This something would have to be dense but not overwhelming in size, something on the scale of the planned Riverparc would make sense, but it should also be a destination (not at the expense of the Triangle though).

Perhaps leveling the center and putting up something in the style of the Market circle thing (I don't know what it's called) in Indianapolis would work. Not too tall, not too short, housing, offices, retail.....

[BMikeSci]

Allegheny Center needs to go. The picture related to the bracelet seems to make it appear as its gone. I'm not sure I follow on what is replacing it as if something were to happen it would be big news. However, this great space would be wasted potential if it is another cluster of tiny North Shore buildings.

Vision really needs to happen. This waste of space eyesore needs to go and it needs to be replaced by a smart, dense develpment that acts as its own destination and also an extension of downtown. While vacancy rates are high downtown, if they weren't and new buildings (bigger than 6 stories for love of life...) then where would they go? Despite current conditions, it would be wise to plan downtown's growth and reclaiming the center of theN Side would be a great way to do it.

This something would have to be dense but not overwhelming in size, something on the scale of the planned Riverparc would make sense, but it should also be a destination (not at the expense of the Triangle though).

Perhaps leveling the center and putting up something in the style of the Market circle thing (I don't know what it's called) in Indianapolis would work. Not too tall, not too short, housing, offices, retail.....

Does it have to go? Can it be modified? I don't know too much about the mall, but it's quite large and an expensive building to replace. I agree that it breaks-up and divides the area, but if it could be modified to be more like La Defense, certainly, that would be a more economical solution. I think it would make a great design challenge. BTW, I do like the lights. They would cheer-up that scary approach.

M

[KJLC]

The tax abatement legislation has been introduced to City Council. There is a public hearing on April 11th at 1:30pm.

If anyone is interested in speaking, call the City Clerk's office at 412-255-2138. This abatement will be a great incentive for individuals to move downtown and developers to keep introducing new projects. I encourage anyone interested to get invovled.

Please check this website to confirm, it should be up shortly.
http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/city_clerk/index.html

[hyperion1110]

Allegheny Center is unlikely to go anywhere. It was recently expanded (within the last could of years), adding another floor to what used to be the mall.

Personally, I would like them to restore much of the street grid and increase the density a bit. But, truth be told, the midrise buildings would have to go. They don't match anything around them, and they certainly don't conform to their heritage in the heart of old Allegheny City.

If I had it my way, i would level all of the builds save for the old North Side branch of the library, the Children's Museum, and the Hazlett Theater, and restore the rest to its late 19th/early20th century luster. It would include a nice walking plaza surrounded by a market environment which is further enclosed by row houses much like the Mexican War Streets. I know it will never happen, but I can dream, can't I?

[BMikeSci]

Yes, it absolutely doesn't match. I just don't like to tear down in general. It's so wasteful. But I agree, the center was a mistake.

[BMikeSci]

August Wilson Center Gets Construction Financing From Local Bank Consortium

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,85301.shtml

[BMikeSci]

University of Pittsburgh's Public Safety Building Dedication to Be
Held April 9

Media RSVP by noon on Friday, April 6

PITTSBURGH-City of Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Chief of Police Nathan Harper will join Pitt Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg and Pitt Police Chief Timothy Delaney during a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the University of Pittsburgh's new Public Safety Building at 9 a.m. Monday, April 9.

The ribbon cutting will be held in the third-floor conference room of the building, at 3412 Forbes Ave., and will be followed by a tour of the building and demonstrations of some of the police and public safety capabilities of Pitt's Police Department and the Department of Environmental Health and Safety, both of which are housed in the new building.

Because of limited space and parking, media are requested to RSVP to John Fedele at jfedele@pitt.edu or 412-624-4148 by noon on Friday, April 6.

[BMikeSci]

America's Favorite Architecture in Pittsburgh - From About.com

It's no surprise to most Pittsburghers that Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater ranks high in America's Favorite Architecture, a public poll of the 150 best works of architecture across the nation. The only surprise here is that the building voted in 1991 by American Institute of Architects members as the "best all-time work of American architecture" is all the way down at #29 on the list.
Meanwhile, another beautiful building that many of us in Pittsburgh take for granted - the Allegheny County Courthouse - also ranked well, just down from Fallingwater at #35. Designed in 1884 by renowned architect Henry Hobson Richardson, the beautiful stone building commands an awe inspiring presence among the surrounding skyscrapers of downtown Pittsburgh.

This is a nationwide poll, so it makes sense that very few Pittsburgh buildings made the list. Most are from large cities well known for their architecture, such as New York, Washington D.C., and Boston. But there are still a few other Pittsburgh buildings that I think would rival some of the other structures which did make the list. PPG Place and the Cathedral of Learning come to mind. What is your favorite Pittsburgh building and why? Click on "comments" below to share your thoughts.

[BMikeSci]

Anyone know what's going on with the new arena? I haven't been able to find any info on the construction schedule. Is the project on hold while the apeals process continues?

[BMikeSci]

Very interesting!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Penguins_Arena

[Evergrey]

this article isn't nearly as "doom and gloom" as I thought it would be... and plainly discusses the components of population change....

btw, concerning the slow economic growth in the region... one major reason for that is our huge loss of jobs in "population dependent sectors"... which include government, transportation, warehousing, etc... we've actually surpassed the national average in growth in other sectors... but we're still gonna see this die-off of the elderly... we need to do whatever we can to attract investment to the region and continue to grow our tech sectors so that one day we can overcome that death rate...

i'm generalizing... but due to the 80s steel collapse... we have the death rate of a Metro of 3 million and a birth rate of a metro with 2 million... and the lack of population-dependent low-skill jobs retards international immigration that has fueled population growth elsewhere... it's a tough cycle to break... lose jobs in these sectors because the population declines... population declines because we lose jobs in these sectors... and so on...

interestingly... from 1999-2005... 1/3 of national job growth was in the public sector... where we actually lost jobs

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07095/775327-85.stm

Lack of immigrants fuels population decline

Thursday, April 05, 2007

By Gary Rotstein, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette



The Pittsburgh region has lost more residents since 2000 than any U.S. metropolitan area except New Orleans, but there's no hurricane responsible for it dropping 60,309 people.

Instead, the latest population figures from the U.S. Census Bureau show southwestern Pennsylvania with a rare double whammy for a metropolitan area: low international immigration and an imbalance of deaths outpacing births.

The seven-county metropolitan area drew an estimated 15,940 international immigrants between 2000 and 2006, the fewest among the 25 largest cities.

Pittsburgh is among urban areas where the number of people moving to another part of the country exceeds the number moving in. Some regions compensate for that by having more births than deaths, but in the local region it's just the opposite. It had 21,045 more deaths than births between the 2000 census and July 1, 2006. It is the largest metropolitan area where deaths outnumber births.

Pittsburgh remains the nation's 22nd largest metro area, with a population of 2,370,776 in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland counties.

Christopher Briem, University of Pittsburgh regional economist who analyzes population trends, said the estimates continue a decline resulting from the steel industry's collapse a quarter-century ago, which led to a heavy exodus of working-age people. The proportionally higher elderly population here creates a high death rate, and the economy has not grown enough to attract immigrants to offset the natural population decline.

"People love to think there's a massive flow of new immigrants here, but really, immigrant flow follows job growth and income growth, and we haven't seen any type of turnaround in that to the extent it would create new migration to the region," Mr. Briem said.

On the other hand, he noted, the Census Bureau is only estimating the immigrants seeking permanent settlement in the United States, whether legally or illegally. The estimates do not reflect many foreigners who are here as students or on other temporary visas.

"The important point is we do get international immigrants here, and it is a very highly educated professional flow based on the universities that are here," Mr. Briem said. Unlike other regions, foreign immigrants here are primarily Asian rather than Hispanic.

"We're not getting the blue-collar middle-class immigrant flow here that is the bulk of what's happening in the rest of the country. That's clearly still the case," the economist noted.

Among the nation's 100 largest regions, eight others have lost population since 2000 by lesser amounts than Pittsburgh: Cleveland, Buffalo, N.Y., Youngstown, Ohio, Scranton, Dayton, Ohio, Toledo, Ohio, Rochester, N.Y., and Syracuse, N.Y.

New Orleans' population declined by about 292,000 following Hurricane Katrina.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Gary Rotstein can be reached at grotstein@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1255. )

[Evergrey]

this Trib article isn't nearly as damning as I expected... and Chris Briem says exactly what I said in my preface to the previous article... concerning population-dependent sectors

Region 2nd in Loss of Workers

By Brian Bowling
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, April 5, 2007


U.S. Census figures to be released today show the Pittsburgh metropolitan area lost more people to deaths and migration than any other metro area but hurricane-ravaged New Orleans.
From 2000-06, the seven-county Pittsburgh region experienced a net loss of 59,000 people, compared to a net loss of 291,000 people in the seven-parish New Orleans region.

Chris Briem, a regional economist with the University of Pittsburgh Center for Social and Urban Research, said the region's continuing population decline costs the area jobs. He said about 70 percent of the area's economy is driven by providing goods and services to residents.

"We're losing jobs because of natural population decline," he said.





The population decline mainly results from the collapse of the steel industry two decades ago, Briem said. The abrupt loss of steel jobs drove younger, working-age adults out of the region, leaving behind those nearing retirement.

"The things that made us an elderly region all happened about 20 years ago," he said.

Although other major cities have encountered hard times, none has suffered the structural job loss that the Pittsburgh metropolitan area went through, Briem said. Consequently, no other metro area lost such a large section of its working-age population.

"We're pretty much an extreme case," he said.

The only comparable instance is Seattle in the 1960s, when an aerospace-industry slump forced massive layoffs at Boeing and other manufacturers. After a few years, however, that industry recovered and Seattle didn't experience permanent job losses, Briem said.

The lack of jobs drove Joe Yeckley, 25, from Pittsburgh to St. Petersburg, Fla., two years after his graduation from Duquesne University.

"I was interviewing for jobs in Pittsburgh, but there just wasn't anything there, or much there," he said. "I liked the city. It was fun; there was lots to do. I didn't like the weather, and the economy is just really kind of hurting right now."

In addition to better weather, Florida has lower taxes and a thriving economy. Yeckley, therefore, doesn't foresee returning to Pittsburgh soon, even though he misses his friends and the South Side.

"I'm not going to move back without having a job lined up already," he said.

The loss of younger adults deals the region a compound blow, reflected in low birth rates -- about 10 births per 1,000 people in 2006, versus an average 13 births per 1,000 people for all 361 metro areas.

Briem said the birth rates are somewhat misleading because the calculations include all age groups, and the Pittsburgh area has a higher proportion of elderly people beyond child-bearing years. The region also has one of the smallest populations of international immigrants -- a group that has one of the highest birth rates in the country.

Most people who move from the area are young adults, but retirees headed south and west have increased in the last two decades.

"People jump to the conclusion that it's all young people. Elderly migration is big factor," Briem said.

Bethel Park native Dena Paolo, 23, moved to Leesburg, Va., for work when she couldn't get a teaching job in the Pittsburgh area.

"You have to know somebody, and I don't," she said, adding that about five of the three dozen other teachers in her Virginia school are Pittsburgh natives.

Like Yeckley, Paolo doesn't foresee returning to Pittsburgh soon. Paolo said she misses her friends and the easy access to sporting events but likes living in a vibrant economy with a younger population.

"I feel like every time I come back to Pittsburgh, it loses some of its appeal," she said. "Everything is so old."



Brian Bowling can be reached at bbowling@tribweb.com or (412) 320-7910.


I guess Dena Paolo is not a fan of our historic architecture? :(

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_501225.html


...


btw... these are only Census ESTIMATES... which have been wrong before... our housing stock is generally quite old... which the Census takes into account as a negative in their estimates

[themaguffin]

Allegheny Center is unlikely to go anywhere. It was recently expanded (within the last could of years), adding another floor to what used to be the mall.


The Civic Arena was modified in the 90s, and it will gladly be a pile of rubble soon.

Allegheny Center is both ugly and wastes valuable core land. It and the the adjecent buildings should all go.


this Trib article isn't nearly as damning as I expected... and Chris Briem says exactly what I said in my preface to the previous article... concerning population-dependent sectors


I don' think that there's much to add at this point. It's sad because the loss in the next census will be worse than the 90s. We've no small gains like we did in the 90s.

[PittPenn 03]

[QUOTE
btw... these are only Census ESTIMATES... which have been wrong before... our housing stock is generally quite old... which the Census takes into account as a negative in their estimates[/QUOTE]


One thing I have never understood is why our region never contests this like other regions do. Not only do we have an old housing stock, but I think a number of people do not drive, particularly students who often stick around for years after graduation without cars, so car registrations which I believe are also used to estimate, might make things seem bleaker than they are. Perhaps they are worried the numbers might be worse? Or maybe it costs to contest? It just seems like we should maybe contest to get a more accurate count to see what is going on for certain. I know that back in 2000 city and county officials were expecting us to gain slightly, and when the census numbers came in and it was a 90,000 drop, it seemed like they just shrugged their shoulders and never questioned it. Not that I expect any significant gains, but if it changed the perspective even a little bit, it could take some of the negative spin we always get from this.

[themaguffin]

These numbers are based on migration movements via the IRS, and then also birth and death certificates, so they are probably accurate, sadly.

The region though was predicted to lose more than it did in the 90s (I gues if the trends are wrong, the trend gets to be even more inaccurate as the decade progesses).

[PittPenn 03]

These numbers are based on migration movements via the IRS, and then also birth and death certificates, so they are probably accurate, sadly.

The region though was predicted to lose more than it did in the 90s (I gues if the trends are wrong, the trend gets to be even more inaccurate as the decade progesses).

My question here is then why when other cities contest these findings, they always seem to kick-up tens of thousands of uncounted people? Again, I do not expect this to be our case so much because of the birth/death rate, but since some forms of government funding is based on these numbers, if for nothing else, if we could shave the losses by any number say 10,000 total over the six year period even, would it not be to our benefit to contest?

[hyperion1110]

These population numbers are disheartening, to say the least. Still, that doesn't mean there isn't any hope. I'm sure the learned people at the census bureau know the underlying factors that make Pittsburgh an extreme case. We were devastated by jobs loss. Within few years, we lost in the nieghborhood of 250K jobs...that's staggering! And yet, Pittsburgh is still here. We still matter. We're still one of Americas greatest cities. Pittsburgh expatriots and their children number between 1-2 million now, and they do not forget the place of their birth. They know Pittsburgh is special, and WHEN things turn around, there will be a mad rush of people coming back home. The census bureau knows this...that's why the predict the metro to add half a million people in the next 20 years. Indeed, it's inevitable. As the older population dies, the hierarchy of population changes from an hourglass (when the age brackets are stacked linearly and plotted horizontally) to a pyramid. We see the trend starting already. Our 24-35 numbers are like 8% higher than they were like 15 years ago, and the number of those under that age is proportionally larger. 20-25 years from now, Pittsburgh wil have a steadily growing population while the rest of the country deals with what we went through years ago, only I doubt they will be able to deal with it with the same ingenuitity and dignity we have.

[BMikeSci]

I'm not too worried about the population loss. The loss is in part what makes Pittsburgh a livable city. I would love for the population to continue falling while at the same time higher paying high tech and medical jobs increase. This seems to be what is happening now. This scenerio translates to a stronger economy with better living conditions. While the rest of the country is struggling with insane prices, we can live comfortably here with less competition.

So don't be disheartened. Let those young people leave. They drive too aggressively anyway.

BTW, I moved here from Austin which is full of young people. It was awful. Every restaurant, cafe, etc. played music way too loud. The younger people got drunk all the time - vomiting on the streets, etc. And if you were over 30 years old, you didn't exist. People here are more mature. They can hold a conversation, and not every place plays loud "music."

[Wheelingman04]

^ You are right. If Pittsburgh was a booming metro area the cost of living would be much higher, the lifestyle would be more fast paced, and the traffic congestion would be much worse. There would also probably be more crime and less stable neighborhoods as well as lots of gentrification.

[hyperion1110]

We don't have to be a booming metro area to experience growth. Nor should we welcome population loss. Half of the success of any regional economy is how it is perceived in the larger context, and, in that regard, a declining population is definitely a strike against. Instead, we should look for steady and sustained growth, of the order of magnitude of the current population loss, in not slightly more. The attitude that population loss is okay, and that young people are a nuisance is the same type of attitude that has been pervasive in this city for decades now, and it has been our undoing. The youth drive innovation, by and large, and that is what determines the success of a region in the modern economy. We need our young.

Pittsburgh needs to grow to compete. We will never be anything like Austin or Portland or Charlotte...we will always be Pittsburgh, no matter how many people move here.

[BMikeSci]

Hyperion,

It's hard to argue with that logic. I think that Pittsburgh is a unique situation however. Truly this is a city of contradictions. On the one hand, we have everything here. Take a look at http://www.thisishappening.com/

This website is part of the program to keep young people in Pittsburgh. There are so many events one can go to here.

Or go to a free lecture:

http://mac10.umc.pitt.edu/u/FMPro?-DB=ustory&-Format=d.html&-lay=a&s=c&-Find

Or something from CMU:

http://my.cmu.edu/site/events/

Try to get this kind of choice in Austin. Forget it, it will never happen. Pittsburgh is a big city in a small city. If you are interested in any kind of culture, any kind of club or organization, any kind of people. Pittsburgh has it.

On the other hand, we also have some traffic problems and infrastructure upkeep. More people won't help the traffic, but they would expand the tax base. We will get more people. I don't know of anywhere in the country that offers half as much for twice the price. Years from now, we will probably look back to these times as golden years for PGH. Once the developers start running wild, you will see prices rise like mad.

I know that pittsburghers say that PGH will never happen. I know that for so many years that has been the case. We've had years of decline or slow appreciation in prices - and that is a hard trend to break. Think of the dow jones. For years and years it could not break 1000 (I'm showing my age). PGH has psychological barriers to an outright boom, but boom it will. And we don't really need a large increase in population. We need to have what we are having - a large shift in the employment base from manufacturing and service industry to high tech and medical. We are bringing in the MD's and PhD's. IMHO that's what will change PGH. In the mean time, I won't sweat the population trend as long as the median income keeps rising.

M

[BMikeSci]

Check it:

http://www.pittsburghhomesdaily.com/2007/04/05/the-sunny-side-of-a-declining-population/#comment-21261

[BMikeSci]

Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation to develop Market at Fifth

Has anyone heard any news about this project? It was supposed to start as early as March.

[mercurypa]

They have started interior demolition of the space. I've walked by several times this week during lunch.

[cdc]

http://www.urbanohio.com is a great example of what I'd like to see for the greater Pittsburgh region... photo galleries of neighborhoods... a comprehensive discussion forum on development projects, economic news and other urban issues... and perhaps incorporate a bit of the Built St. Louis style into it... looking into urban history. Basically a one-stop shop for everything Urban Pittsburgh... it would be a good way to promote discussion on the city's issues, educate and perhaps even promote activism.

The STL site has a lot more personality than the Urban Ohio site (at least
on the non-forum parts, e.g. http://www.urbanohio.com/Pittsburgh.htm ...).

The Urban Ohio photo galleries are interesting, but the thumbnail
photos are too small ( http://www.urbanohio.com/PittShadyside.htm ).
There is also no linkage between photos so you end up doing alot more
clicking around if you want to see them at a reasonable size (e.g.
click photo, click back button, click next photo, click back button,
... there is no "next photo"). There is also no meta-information
about the photos (where was the photo taken? when was it taken? why
is it interesting?).


For this forum, I think it would be easier to maintain the more
permanent "list of projects" and other such general info on something
like a Wiki rather than going back and periodically re-edit old
postings. A message board isn't really the right tool for the job
(but it is better than nothing).

Also, at some point the issue of reposting verbatim copies of
copyright newspaper articles here is going to become a problem.

[Evergrey]

From the Biz Times:

1. Salvation Army is looking to sell its Downtown HQ building at 424 Third Ave. It's a 1924 9-story 85k sq. ft. structure. Salvation Army is looking to relocate to Western or Northern suburbs (of course!). It's good location and downtown's renewed vigor thanks to 3 PNC, Piatt Place, etc. should make the location attractive. However, Kevin Keane, head of local office of Dallas-based Lincoln Properties, who did the Encore on 7th apartment building last year, said something interesting: "It seems to me like there could be a need for some student housing. I don't see anybody else willing to drop any more residential units in the Downtown market." Interesting because Point Park U. and Art Institute are already satisfying their student housing needs with conversions in the area while a number of players continue to drop housing downtown in both large and small doses... such as the Biz Times article about smaller developers converting historic properties in the Cultural District maguffin posted a couple weeks ago...

Anyways... it's a rather hideous structure.. which is why I don't have a better picture for it... losing a non-profit that employed 75 is no big loss to Downtown... maybe somebody could "drop some more residential units" and knock this structure down in favor of a taller condo tower... i'm dreaming

it's the squat unimpressive red building directly in front of the silver Oxford skyscraper at left of the photo
http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/65537571.jpg

2. Advertising agency Blattner Brunner and construction company Dick Corp. are considering a move to a future 150,000 sq. ft. office building on the site of the dead 700,000 sq. ft. Asian business center at South Side Works along Hot Metal Street. So we're getting a building about 1/5th the size of the proposed Asian business center... how underwhelming... and another parking garage... I can't believe there isn't enough structured parking at SSW already... and we're just shuffling the deck with moving Blattner Brunner out of Downtown to a new building in the city's South Side... Dick would be moving in from a suburban location which is a minor win.

Some of you might remember the dazzling design of the Asian business center:
http://www.popcitymedia.com/galleries/Default/Dev%20News/Issue%207/SouthSideOfficeCondos.jpg

Sure the concept may have been pie-in-the-sky... but it's a shame we won't get a building approaching that scale...

3. There was also a poll question: "Where would you prefer to have your company headquarters?" Downtown led the way with 28%... a mere 7% more than CRANBERRY.... which I'm sure will become the new center of our metro if the status quo keeps up.

[Evergrey]

The STL site has a lot more personality than the Urban Ohio site (at least
on the non-forum parts, e.g. http://www.urbanohio.com/Pittsburgh.htm ...).

The Urban Ohio photo galleries are interesting, but the thumbnail
photos are too small ( http://www.urbanohio.com/PittShadyside.htm ).
There is also no linkage between photos so you end up doing alot more
clicking around if you want to see them at a reasonable size (e.g.
click photo, click back button, click next photo, click back button,
... there is no "next photo"). There is also no meta-information
about the photos (where was the photo taken? when was it taken? why
is it interesting?).


For this forum, I think it would be easier to maintain the more
permanent "list of projects" and other such general info on something
like a Wiki rather than going back and periodically re-edit old
postings. A message board isn't really the right tool for the job
(but it is better than nothing).

Also, at some point the issue of reposting verbatim copies of
copyright newspaper articles here is going to become a problem.

I agree that the photo gallery function and meta-information for UrbanOhio needs work. The people who operate that site put a lot of work into it already... perhaps that's in the future plans.

Newspaper articles are posted all over SkyscraperPage... including the Current Events section... so it is not unique to the Pittsburgh thread. That is a forum-wide issue that needs to be resolved if it is indeed an issue. Contact one of the forum's administrators if you wish to discuss this. I've participated in a number of forums where posting of articles have been allowed (as long as a link is included)... including Urban Ohio and the SkyscraperCity. UrbanPlanet, however, allows only a link and a couple lines of text.

...


chucka has began development of a Pittsburgh Development Map (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=116287066290459148049.00000111c2018ad31c02a&z=13&om=1). This is a very good idea and should prove as a great resource to spatially represent everything that is happening in Pittsburgh. The spatial locations of developments can be enhanced with images and meta-information.

[ColDayMan]

I agree that the photo gallery function and meta-information for UrbanOhio needs work. The people who operate that site put a lot of work into it already... perhaps that's in the future plans.

Nah. We like to torture the browsers.

[themaguffin]

Some Bz Time news:

Blattner Brunner, Dick Corp. consider move near SouthSide Works
Building would go on Asian business center site
Pittsburgh Business Times - April 6, 2007by Tim Schooley and Patty Tascarella


Two well-known Pittsburgh companies are considering moving to an office building that would border SouthSide Works.

Dick Corp., the region's biggest construction company, and Blattner Brunner Inc., Pittsburgh's third-largest advertising firm, are considering space in an office building proposed for a three-acre property along Hot Metal Street and owned by the Urban Redevelopment Authority. The parcel sits next to the SouthSide Works residential-retail-office complex.

To pursue the new plan, Dick has formed a joint venture with New Jersey-based Surety Holding Development Co., which previously planned to develop a 700,000-square-foot Asian business center at the location, said Pete Fuscaldo, a Downtown-based lawyer who represents Surety.

Dick has bought into Surety's option to acquire the property and plans to develop a building of approximately 150,000 square feet as well as a parking garage.

"I think the property has some good opportunities for Dick," Fuscaldo said. "Some good things are happening there."

With Dick a managing partner in the project, Surety remains an investor.

Michael Cahn, a senior vice president for CB Richard Ellis/Pittsburgh, also is working on the project. The Trammell Crow Co. division of CB Richard Ellis is expected to provide financing as Dick continues to work with the URA and the city. Fuscaldo said he expects to report more progress in the next few months and was confident the firm will achieve the financing it needs.

"As with all real estate deals going, there's always some question of financing," he said of the project. "But it certainly has some momentum."

Dick Corp. CEO Steve DeAngelo was out of town and could not be reached for comment. But Blattner Brunner CEO Michael Brunner said SouthSide Works is very much part of its ongoing search for 60,000 square feet.

"We are considering it," said Brunner, who would mark his third move in less than a decade.

Blattner Brunner began its search earlier this year and is looking for a new home that is 50 percent larger than its current space at 11 Stanwix St., Downtown. Brunner has not ruled out other options, but said if the agency chooses the South Side, it will have to make a decision soon. Its current lease expires in early 2009.

"If you're going to build out, you have to delegate a lot more time to it, as opposed to existing space you're customizing or space that's built out to your liking," he said.

But starting from scratch has its appeal, he acknowledged.

"You can design to your own liking, and there's a great deal of flexibility in that situation," he said. "From a growth perspective, that would provide expansion opportunities. We're too crowded in our current state."

Blattner Brunner employs around 160 people Downtown. Its 2005 revenue was $18.3 million, with capitalized billings of more than $137 million. Almost all of its clients are based outside Pittsburgh.

It would be the agency's first move outside Downtown. Blattner Brunner left its previous 20,000-square-foot space in Four Gateway Center two years after moving in, despite signing a 10-year lease and spending $1.2 million to create an open work environment, which it wound up subleasing.

The plan calls for Dick to build the project as well as move into it as a tenant, with Blattner Brunner serving as the main anchor. URA Executive Director Jerry Detorre could not be reached for comment.

The idea of moving to the South Side is not new for Dick Corp., which occupies a 70,000-square-foot headquarters in Large, Pa.

Long before much of SouthSide Works was built, the company considering moving to it. Instead, it opted to build a four-story, 80,000-square-foot, $10 million headquarters at The Waterfront in Homestead, but it never occupied that building. After the building was completed in 2002, the company, facing financial challenges from a slowing construction market, decided to sell the property.


----------------



Salvation Army considers sale
Move would put key parcel on block
Pittsburgh Business Times - April 6, 2007by Ben Semmes


http://cll.bizjournals.com/story_image/77882-400-0.jpg?rev=2




Joe Wojcik
The Salvation Army built its Downtown building in 1924.
View Larger The Salvation Army is considering selling its Downtown western Pennsylvania divisional headquarters -- a building the charitable organization has occupied for more than eight decades -- and moving to Pittsburgh's northern or western suburbs.

While plans are still preliminary, the Christian nonprofit does not expect to remain at the nine-story, 85,000-square-foot

facility it built at 424 Third Ave. in 1924, Divisional Commander Major Robert Reel confirmed this week.

"We are finalizing our program study for all of Allegheny County," Reel said. "One of the proposals is that we would sell this building and find a separate site for just the administrative (offices)."

Reel said the Salvation Army expects to sell the building, home to about 75 mostly administrative employees, for between $5 million and $6 million. Allegheny County property records show a total market value for the parcel, which includes two parking lots, of just under $4 million.

The Salvation Army building's sale comes as prospects for the city's central business district are improving and new residential and retail developments, including Three PNC Plaza and Piatt Place, are coming online.

Andy Wisniewski, a broker and executive vice president with CB Richard Ellis/Pittsburgh, said the site, which sits at Downtown's southern entrance, is well placed to take advantage of a surge in optimism about the Golden Triangle.

"There are a lot of things happening," Wisniewski said. "I think that could be a very ideal site."

The Salvation Army's Downtown building serves not only as the organization's regional headquarters for 28 counties, but also is home to its worship center, a family caring center and other social service

programs.

Reel said the organization is looking to buy 35,000 to 40,000 square feet of existing office space and is focusing its search efforts along the Parkway West, as well as the northern suburbs along the McKnight Road corridor.

Still, he said another space Downtown has not been ruled out.

"We are looking at sites," Reel said. "We haven't identified anything right now."

He declined to discuss any agreements the organization has with local brokers for its search and the sale of its Downtown headquarters. He said it's still considering presentations from several brokers.

"We are in the interview process," Reel said. "We are trying to get that taken care of so we can move forward."

One of the organization's conditions for new space is that it provides good visibility for the Salvation Army.

"This building is an older building, and it is dwarfed by One Oxford Centre and some of the newer buildings," Reel said.

Many of the services now based at the Downtown headquarters, including the family caring center and other social service programs, would be integrated into the Salvation Army's 11 existing worship and service centers scattered throughout the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. These centers include sites in East Liberty, Brushton, the North Side and Fairywood.

The Salvation Army plans to relocate its Downtown worship center -- which draws an average of 175 to 200 people each Sunday -- to a 20,000-to-25,000-square-foot facility it hopes to construct along the Parkway West in the vicinity of Green Tree, Dormont, Carnegie, Scott Township and Heidelberg, where most of its congregation lives. If the organization cannot find space to build, it would consider buying an existing building and converting it.

"We are trying to do this in a way that we can serve people better," Reel said.

He said his goal is to close on a new administrative headquarters property and sell its existing building by the beginning of next year. Its move likely would take place by next winter.

According to Kevin Keane, head of the local office of Dallas-based Lincoln Property Co., which last year finished the 151-unit Encore on 7th apartment building in the Cultural District, the site could attract interest from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and Point Park University, both located nearby.

"It seems to me like there could be a need for some student housing," Keane said. "I don't see anybody else willing to drop any more residential units in the Downtown market."

Art Institute spokesman Norm Huelsman said the school has looked at the building in the past.

"We think it is a great building, but we've since moved on and have no current interest," Huelsman said.

Point Park spokeswoman Ginny Frizzi said the university is not currently interested in buying the Salvation Army building either.

Keane added that office space in the area -- with the Union Trust building almost completely vacant -- is also abundant.

Nevertheless, Tom McChesney, a broker with Downtown-based Grubb & Ellis Co., said despite the challenges of the Downtown market, the parcel is well located.

"One question is what is needed in Downtown Pittsburgh with the PNC project and all the condos going up," he said. "It will take a pretty savvy investor or developer to figure out what to do with it. Saying that, it is a very good location. When you are sitting catercorner to PNC and adjacent to One Oxford Centre, what could be the better than that?"

[BMikeSci]

The Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens broke ground this week on a 100-car parking area that will be built with green principles in mind.

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2007/04/02/daily29.html?from_rss=1

[BMikeSci]

Hill leaders issue arena demands

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07096/775655-53.stm

Hey, I live in the downtown, a block away from the arena. Shouldn't the neighbors to the south get the same deal as the neighbors to the north? Why don't the downtown leaders get us our piece of the pie?

[BMikeSci]

Ii just visited the Epiphany Church campus. It looks as though demolition is underway. I got this quote from http://johnlewisjr.blogspot.com/2007/03/arena-deal-keeps-penguins-in-pittsburgh.html


Doug Straley, authority development manager said demolition of the 11 buildings -- nine on Fifth Avenue and two on the Epiphany Church campus -- is expected to take four months. Empire Dismantlement Corp. of Grand Island, N.Y., received a $926,419 contract to do the work.
"This demolition can get done well within the time frame to deliver the site," he said.

[DBR96A]

The old Salvation Army building is on the "First Side," right? If so, then maybe that building could be leveled (it doesn't look architecturally significant to me), and a nice, 30- to 40-story office or mixed-use tower could go in its place. Just an idea. (That building is on the Boulevard of the Allies, right?)

[Evergrey]

The old Salvation Army building is on the "First Side," right? If so, then maybe that building could be leveled (it doesn't look architecturally significant to me), and a nice, 30- to 40-story office or mixed-use tower could go in its place.

Totally agreed... but there's no market demand for an office skyscraper. We'll have to reduce our Downtown office vacancy rate by about 8% before a significant office structure will be erected... the best bet for a tall building there would be residential or mixed-use structure (despite what that dude from Lincoln Properties says)

[themaguffin]

I am not sure how many more condos built (perhaps more apartments would be less risky) and certainly office space is not really needed, but I agree that would be a great spot to build something new.

[hyperion1110]

I'm sorry...the Hill is a barren wasteland. It doesn't need redeveloped, it needs leveled and rebuilt, in my view. And these demands seem a little bit extreme, given the almost non-existent political power of these individuals. Still, I suppose they should be congratulated for taking interest in their community.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07097/775969-53.stm


Penguins to weigh Hill arena agenda
Model for neighborhood benefits pushed

Saturday, April 07, 2007
By Rich Lord, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Hill District figures who want a multimillion dollar development fund and job guarantees at a new arena will likely get a chance to make their case to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Whether they'll get everything they want, though, depends on whether they can master a process pioneered by Los Angeles community groups and honed in a New York City development fight.

"We anticipate having meetings with community members in the Hill District on the redevelopment of the Lower Hill," said new Penguins President David Morehouse yesterday. "It's far too early to anticipate what the outcomes of community meetings will be."

Some Hill business leaders and clergy gave Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato a "terms sheet" on Thursday. It outlines what some in the neighborhood want in return for hosting the $290 million replacement for Mellon Arena, and a $350 million redevelopment of the old arena site promised by casino license winner Don Barden.

The terms include a $10 million up-front payment from "various sources," possibly including public sources or arena and development revenue. They also call for a percentage of arena revenue, plus annual payments for 30 years, to go to an unspecified "development interest."

Thirty percent of jobs at the arena and the nearby development effort would go to minorities.

"We will definitely consider making sure we have a minority hiring plan," Mr. Morehouse said. As for the request for development money, he said he's "not going to discount offhand anything I haven't seen."

"It's not unreasonable for us to ask for a commitment of $10 million when so much has been given to private interests," said Marimba Milliones, a Hill District businesswomen and a leader of the effort, along with the Rev. Johnnie Monroe, pastor of Grace Memorial Presbyterian Church.

The proposed upfront payment "is actually very conservative when you compare it to the list of public dollars going to the arena for the Penguins," Ms. Milliones said.

Debt payments on the arena would run $19.2 million a year for 30 years. State gambling taxes would cover around 40 percent of payments, funds from Mr. Barden's North Shore casino would compose another 40 percent, and team contributions would make up 20 percent. Public investments in roads and sewers are likely.

"Our city and county governments went above and beyond to make sure that the Penguins stay here," Ms. Milliones said. "Let's get really creative with how to help out the Hill District."

The tool for enforcing any deal between the team, developers and neighborhood groups would be a special contract called a community benefits agreement.

"The community benefits agreement is certainly something that will take place, and something that is very important," said Ms. Milliones. "We're not going to get there within a week or so. That's a six-month process, or even longer."

City Councilwoman Tonya Payne, who represents the Hill District, agreed that such an arrangement should be forged, but said Ms. Milliones and her allies weren't taking the right approach.

"They're saying, 'We live in the Hill, and we're entitled,' and you can't walk in [to talks] that way," said the former neighborhood developer.

In other cities, community benefits agreements attached to arenas have come about when determined and politically potent coalitions fought hard for them.

The pioneering benefits agreement was one negotiated in 2001 related to development around Staples Center in Los Angeles.

A coalition of neighborhood, ethnic and labor organizations maximized their leverage during a mayor's race to attach strings to city approval of a 27-acre sports and entertainment district.

In the end, they got the developer to agree to give people displaced by the project, or from areas affected by it, first shot at jobs. The developer promised $1 million to create and improve parks, $650,000 in no-interest loans for nonprofit housing groups, $100,000 to seed job training programs and at least 100 affordable, new homes.

The groups also won a promise that 70 percent of the anticipated 5,500 jobs created by the development be unionized or pay a family-supporting wage.

Though the development around the center is still in the planning phase, promised payments to community groups already have been made.

In the New York borough of Brooklyn, a coalition of eight groups pounded out a deal with subsidiaries of Cleveland-based Forest City Enterprises in return for their support for an arena and high-rise development called Atlantic Yards. That will be the new home of the National Basketball Association's New Jersey Nets.

The agreement, signed in 2005, stipulates that 35 percent of construction jobs go to minorities, and 10 percent to women. Twenty percent of construction contract dollars and arena concession activities are to go to minority-owned firms, and 10 percent to women-owned companies.

The agreement requires that half of rental units in the development be affordable, with 10 percent set aside for senior housing. The developer is obligated to work with nearby schools to help improve their offerings and must include a community health center, 7 acres of open space, and a meditation room on the site.

There's even a ticket promise: 50 upper bowl seats, four lower bowl seats and one luxury box are to be available for "community use" at every event, including Nets basketball games.

Enforcement of the agreement has proved contentious, and this year the developer is to pay a "watchdog" assigned to ensure that the benefits are provided.

In the Hill District, the church and business group trying to replicate those successes may face an uphill battle. The neighborhood is not united politically. The elected leaders they are trying to influence don't face the kind of stiff election challenges that would give Hill voters leverage. And the Penguins already have pledged more money than they really wanted to spend on a new arena.

It's unclear whether all of the players can get along.

Last year, Ms. Milliones was part of a Hill District Gaming Task Force that had plans to create a Greater Hill Development League, and wanted slots casino funds to aid reconstruction.

Task force leaders viewed Mr. Barden as more responsive to their concerns than two other casino license bidders, including Penguins partner Isle of Capri Casinos Inc., which wanted to build in the Hill. Mr. Barden's spokesman had no comment yesterday.

The task force tangled with the Penguins' proposed development ally, Pittsburgh First, and ran afoul of Ms. Payne.

Ms. Milliones said she can get the parties to the table.

"We absolutely intend to meet with the Penguins or [Mr. Barden's company] or anyone else who has control of that site," she said of the development zone.

"It's understandable a group of Hill District residents want to ensure their voices are heard," said Mr. Morehouse, "and we are going to be listening."

[BMikeSci]

Wal-Mart praised, opposed

By Ron DaParma
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, March 11, 2007

Wal-Mart Corp.'s decision to locate a store at the site of the former East Hills Shopping Center underscores a story of substantial growth in Pennsylvania and the Pittsburgh region.
Like it or not -- and there is a variety of opinion on the company's effect on local businesses -- there's no doubt that Wal-Mart has established a substantial presence in Pennsylvania in a relatively short period of time.

The giant Bentonville, Ark.-based company didn't have a single store in the state before 1990. The company made its debut that year in York, and in 1991 it announced plans to open in 1992 its first Pittsburgh-area stores in Cranberry, Butler, Washington and Somerset.

In the 17 years since, its presence has grown to the point it now is the state's largest public employer, officials pointed out at the East Hills ceremony. The retailer also picked the Pittsburgh area as one of eight locations to debut its Jobs & Opportunities Zone program.

According to a company fact sheet, Wal-Mart has more than 48,647 employees in Pennsylvania and 142 stores. As of January, the company had 73 supercenters, 46 smaller discount stores and 23 Sam's Clubs; it also operates five distribution centers in the state.
Supercenters average 185,000 square feet, with about 142,000 items. Discount stores have about 101,000 square feet, with 120,000 items, and Sam's Club's have 130,000 square feet with 5,500 items.

In the seven-county Pittsburgh area, the company says it has 28 stores: 15 supercenters, five stores and eight Sam's Clubs.

Seven more outlets are planned in the region, including at the former East Hills site, which is now known as the East Hills Commerce Center. That supercenter is expected to employ 350.

About five miles away from East Hills, Wal-Mart plans to build a 200,000-square-foot supercenter off Saltsburg Road in Penn Hills near the Plum border.

But unlike the planned 150,000-square-foot East Hills store, which was cheered by several hundred people attending the announcement, a group of Penn Hills and Plum residents have opposed that store because of the traffic it could generate in their neighborhood and fears that it would hurt local businesses.

Thus, the debate continues, community by community, as to whether having such a substantial Wal-Mart presence is good or bad for the Pittsburgh area, and Pennsylvania in general.

Real estate notes:

* The architectural-design firm Perkins Eastman is expanding at the Pennsylvanian, Downtown, and will add 15 employees within three to four months. The firm occupies 16,000 square feet and will add 3,500 square feet, said David Hoglund, managing partner. He said the firm added 22 employees over the past six months and has a staff of about 85.

* Re/Max Select Realty has reopened its Cranberry office at 1667 Rt. 228, a mile from its former location in the Cranberry Towne Center Plaza, where the office was destroyed by a January fire. The office employs about 25 people in sales, mortgages and title business, said Chris Murphy, the owner.

* Mobility & Access Products Inc., a specialty distributor of wheelchairs and other mobility products, moved into 3,500 square feet at 200 International Drive, Imperial Business Park, North Fayette.

* Final approval from North Franklin Township, Washington County, is needed before a two-story, 20,000-square-foot building, housing a pizza/entertainment restaurant, banquet hall and offices, can be built. Township supervisors approved the project by Millcap Enterprises, whose principals are Paul Miller Jr. and his brother Steve. But the developer must get the building plans approved, said Vince Alfieri, building inspector.

* An 85,105-square-foot warehouse/manufacturing and office building on 6.4 acres at 19 Leonberg Road, Cranberry, Butler County, is being marketed by Edward P. Doran of GVA Oxford. The price of the structure, built in 1998, is $4.25 million .

* A three-story office building at 10495 Perry Highway, McCandless, has been sold for $2.5 million by McMasters Miller L.P. to Wexford Town Centre L.P. William E. Hunt, president of Elmhurst Corp., was a general partner of the seller, according to Allegheny County records.

Real estate gallery:

* General Industries hired H. Van Evans as a project development coordinator/project manager. Evans has nearly 20 years' experience managing construction projects in several states.

* Burt Hill said Stephen Winikoff obtained a architectural registration license and Lisa Dugan, of the Pittsburgh office, obtained a landscape architectural license.

* Charlotte George joined Prudential Preferred Realty's Fox Chapel office. Previously, she worked as a sales associate for Coldwell Banker Real Estate.

The Real Estate Gallery is a listing of promotions, hirings and other personnel moves. Submitted items should include contact names and telephone numbers. Photographs should bear the names of the individuals. Items may be mailed to: Real Estate, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, D.L. Clark Building, 503 Martindale St., Pittsburgh, PA 15212 or sent by fax to 412-320-7921. Items may also be sent via e-mail to business@tribweb.com.

Contributors: Sam Spatter and Laura L. Lenk



Ron DaParma can be reached at rdaparma@tribweb.com or 412-320-7907.

[BMikeSci]

The Biomedical Science Tower 3 in Oakland, built by Mascaro Construction Co. L.P., was one of the winners of the Master Builders' Association of Western Pennsylvania 2006 Building Excellence Awards

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/business/realestate/s_494141.html

[BMikeSci]

Retail development flourishing in the north country

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/business/realestate/s_493105.html

[BMikeSci]

Union Trust Building attracts interest

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/business/realestate/s_492186.html

By Ron DaParma
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, February 11, 2007

A marketing campaign to attract buyers for the Union Trust Building on Grant Street, Downtown, is showing results, says the real estate broker in charge of the effort.
"I have about 450 interested parties from all over the country," said Jeffrey Ackerman, executive vice president of CB Richard Ellis/Pittsburgh.

Potential buyers hail from cities as far away as San Francisco, Los Angeles and Seattle, and as close as Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, Ackerman said.

Candidates, who include investor-owners and developers, also come from New York, Chicago, Miami, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and Denver.

Bid proposals are due by mid-February for the building, which has a market value of $30.75 million, including land, county records show.

Ackerman has said he expects the nearly vacant building will sell for close to its market value, although no asking price has been set.

As reported, the ornate, block-long historic structure with the address of 501 Grant St. emptied last year.

Mellon Financial Corp., its major tenant, relocated its employees to other buildings Downtown in May, and most other tenants followed suit due to uncertainties with their leases.

All that remains now is a group of ground-floor retailers headed by Lorrimer's, a clothing retailer; and a Citizens Bank safety deposit box and foreign exchange center in the first sub-basement level.

CB Richard/Ellis is representing the new owner of the building, Teal Rock 501 Grant St. LP, a limited partnership owned by Philadelphia health-insurancer Cigna Corp.

Cigna held a mortgage on the property with longtime owner, Florida-based DeBartolo Property Group LLC, which defaulted on its loan.

Mellon separately owned the land under the structure. In October, Mellon announced a deal to transfer ownership of the land to Teal Rock.

Despite the building's problems, Ackerman points to "a tremendous upside potential" there.

"This is a great redevelopment opportunity, and that is of great interest to many developers and investors," he said.

Ackerman declined to disclose names, but an official of a Connecticut company that previously made a bid for the building says he's still interested.

"We are taking a look at it," said Stanley Cheslock, a founder of Cheslock, Bakker & Associates, a private merchant bank in Stamford, Conn.

"But we think it's not worth as much as when we first looked at it (last year) because the tenant pool is smaller," said Cheslock, whose firm invests capital on behalf of its principals and institutional partners.

Cheslock said his group would keep Union Trust as an office building.

Aaron Stauber, president of Rugby Realty Co., a New Rochelle, N.Y.-based firm that already owns 12 buildings locally, including Gulf Tower and the Frick Building on Grant Street, declined to comment.

Stauber previously said he might be interested in the Union Trust building if it came up for sale.

Potential uses being considered by others include apartments, residential condominiums or a hotel there, said Ackerman.

The building does not have its own parking, but Ackerman said residential or hotel tenants might be able to park at a city lot at Mellon Square, or there is a possibility of adding parking to the building's basement, he said.

The 11-story building has a mezzanine and two basement levels, with a total of 595,000 square feet of useable space, Ackerman said.

The structure was designed in Flemish Gothic style by noted Pittsburgh architect F.J. Osterling and built in 1916 for industrialist Henry Clay Frick.

In 1987, it underwent a substantial renovation when Mellon took occupancy.

Real estate notes:

* Ken Simonson, chief economist, The Associated General Contractors of America, will head a panel discussion on "2007 Construction Materials Cost Forecast/Procurement Strategies" at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Holiday Inn, Green Tree. Other speakers are Ken Crank, PA Aggregates & Concrete Association; Bill Pascoli, American Institute of Steel Construction; Jeff Smith, Advanced Building Products; and Phil Dorenkoff, USG Building Systems. Sponsors are Master Builders' Association, American Society of Professional Estimators, and Construction Management Association of America Three Rivers Chapter.

* Uniontown Family Homes will build 17 three-bedroom and 33 four-bedroom lease-to-purchase houses on in-fill sites in Uniontown and North Union Township in Fayette County. The Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh will provide a $400,000 grant toward the $10.5 million project with First National Bank of Pennsylvania as the mortgage lender. Fayette County Community Action Agency Inc. and PIRHL Developers LLC of Ohio are the sponsors.

* GSP Consulting of Pittsburgh, a specialty government and economic development consulting firm, has opened its 10th office, in Minneapolis, and has joined with the Hamilton Consulting Group in Madison, Wisc., in a new venture, hamilton.gsp. John Dick, GSP principal and co-founder, said his firm helps technology companies take advantage of opportunities with state and federal governments.

* LaureateCapital has completed $22.3 million financing for the 256-unit Devlin's Pointe apartment complex at Coventry Square in Hampton, said Dan Puntil of the Pittsburgh office.

* Expansion of Pizza Vesuvio, a single-splice pizza parlor at 1417 E. Carson St., South Side, is being planned by owner Jim Aiello Jr. He wants to open three suburban locations within 24 months.

* LongHorn Steakhouse has opened at 1679 State Rt. 228, Cranberry, in front of the Lowe's shopping center.

* Next addition at Greengate Center in Hempfield, Westmoreland County, will be a Pearle Vision store.

Transactions:

* Great Trail Development Co. LLC of Beaver purchased about 44 acres in Robinson, Allegheny County, from Cindrich Development for $1.71 million. The vacant property is located along Church and McMichael roads, according to a deed filed in Allegheny County.

* JGB Partners acquired the building at 12550 Perry Highway, Pine, from James A. Mason for $820,000, county records show.

* Allegheny Homes LLC has acquired an office/warehouse building at 149 Delta Dr., in the RIDC Industrial Park in O'Hara, for $840,000 from Robert G. Burig and Jay A. Jones, county records show.

Real Estate gallery:

* Bryan Kendi joined Prudential Preferred Realty's Greensburg office.

* Michelle Branham, a Howard Hanna Real Estate Services agent, recently completed the e-PRO course, which is designed to help agents assist clients who research real estate on the Internet.

The Real Estate Gallery is a listing of promotions, hirings and other personnel moves at area companies. Submitted items should include contact names and telephone numbers. Photographs should bear the names of the individuals. Items may be mailed to: Real Estate, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, D.L. Clark Building, 503 Martindale St., Pittsburgh, PA 15212 or sent by fax to 412-320-7921. Items may also be sent via e-mail to business@tribweb.com.

Contributors: Sam Spatter and Laura L. Lenk



Ron DaParma can be reached at rdaparma@tribweb.com or 412-320-7907.

[BMikeSci]

Region does well in Fortune housing survey

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/business/realestate/s_486999.html

[themaguffin]

Considering Wal Mart targets very low end, it really doesn't signal any progress to an area that they plan on arriving. If even some more middle of the road, slightly higher aiming stores like Target moved in, that would indicative of some uptick.

[BMikeSci]

Considering Wal Mart targets very low end, it really doesn't signal any progress to an area that they plan on arriving. If even some more middle of the road, slightly higher aiming stores like Target moved in, that would indicative of some uptick.

Good point

[BMikeSci]

After Lightening Strike, Carnegie Library Nearly Repaired

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- One year after lightning struck the clock tower at the Carnegie Library on the north side, repair crews are nearly finished.
The library has been closed since the lightning strike and has cost a total of $2 million to repair.
In the meantime, the library board of directors purchased land along Federal Street for a new building.

The city and the urban redevelopment authority are looking for new tenants for the old building.

[hyperion1110]

I miss this place...worked there for 5 years, including the years when the major expansion was proposed. It's good to see that they're still going on with some kind of redevelopment...the good old CSC is getting lost amidst all the development down there, and it would be a tragedy for it to be forgotten, wedged between Heinz Field and Majestic Star.


http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07098/776182-85.stm


Science Center reinventing itself

Sunday, April 08, 2007
By Ed Blazina, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Carnegie Science Center is working on a master plan to "reinvent" the center, which is expected to include a major expansion project centered on ecology and the center's North Shore riverfront location.

Director Joanna Haas said the master plan is the outgrowth of an 18-month review of the services and programs offered through the center, which opened in 1991. Programming in four of the six areas on which the center will focus can be accommodated in its existing building. The proposed "eco experience" likely will require construction of major indoor and outdoor facilities, and SportsWorks will have to be relocated because of the extension of the light-rail system to the North Shore.

The Heinz Endowments, which has taken a special interest in Pittsburgh's riverfronts and ecology, has given the center a $250,000 planning grant. In two weeks, the center will meet with museum planners, ecologists and other experts to hear their ideas with a goal of having a formal proposal with projected costs and a design concept ready by the end of the year.

Ms. Haas said the center has been successful since it opened in 1991 -- it drew more than 600,000 visitors last year -- but that any science center has to review its programs regularly to keep up with the latest technology so it doesn't become stale.

"It's time to reinvent ourselves and make sure we are relevant, important and engaging," she said. "I think any exciting organization transforms itself regularly."

For its latest expansion attempt, the science center is taking an approach different from that taken in an unsuccessful effort five years ago.

At that time, under a different administration, the center held a design competition and hired world-renowned architect Jean Nouvel to design a $90 million addition. After concerns about escalating costs and how the space would be used, the center dropped that project in 2003.

This time, the center is determining what programs it wants to feature and develop, then designing the appropriate addition.

"I think the science center at that time didn't pay enough attention to what the programs would be," said Caren Glofelty, director of environmental programming for the Heinz Endowments. "I'm really impressed with the logical, smart approach Jo Haas is taking here. I think the science center is doing this in the right order now."

Programming is the key to the center's success, Ms. Haas said, and the driving force in planning for the future. The center intends to use more of its 13 acres of land for exhibit space.

"What do we believe will attract visitors? That's what's important," she said. "We're going to let content lead us. I don't know what the physical plant will look like when we're done because we haven't finalized the programming yet."

Ms. Haas said the six areas in which the center will concentrate include four that are already prominent there -- astronomy, curiosity, basic science and sports and body -- and two new areas -- robots and ecology and the rivers. Ms. Haas said she's particularly proud that robots, ecology and the rivers, and sports and body have strong local connections through universities, medical facilities and athletics.

"We've worked very hard to do both: respect and honor our legacy by maintaining areas such as the trains and the planetarium, and reflect our location and environment through robots and medicine and the eco-experience," Ms. Haas said.

Some of the changes in the existing areas already have begun. In astronomy, for example, the center in September opened its new $1.8 million Buhl Digital Dome, a high-definition projection system that allows the planetarium to quickly add new material such as ongoing space missions. SportsWorks is adding G-Force, a participatory exhibit where a bicycle rider pedals upside down through an 18-foot-tall loop.

"We're not asking the community to wait for this magic moment where we flip a switch and open everything all at once," Ms. Haas said. "It is a phased approach that we think we can deliver more successfully and more quickly."

Curiosity and basic science, mostly aimed at younger children and housed on the center's first and fourth floors, will continue to evolve.

Robotics and sports and body are an outgrowth of two of the center's most successful temporary exhibits and are prime examples of the partnerships the center wants to build with other local institutions.

"Robots," one of the center's early shows, and "Zap It Surgery," focusing on laser surgery and other high-tech medical procedures, are still touring the country.

Carnegie Mellon University helped to develop "Robots" while the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center worked with "Zap It."

The center is working with CMU's internationally known robotics program again to develop a permanent exhibit that would take up most of the center's second floor, except where the train display is located. It is expected to open next year.

That space had been set aside for temporary, traveling exhibits that have been used to attract repeat visitors to the facility. The center will continue to accommodate traveling exhibits, such as "Bodies ... The Exhibition," which gives a detailed look inside the human body. It opens in October.

But the center will rely more heavily on its own special events such as the New Year's Day MessFest, where patrons made mashed potatoes by launching potatoes against a wall, and the beach party that kicked off an Omnimax movie about the ocean.

The major changes will involve SportsWorks and the eco-experience.

When SportsWorks opened in 2001 in a former warehouse across North Shore Drive from the science center, officials knew it would be a temporary exhibit because Port Authority already was floating plans for a light-rail station there when it extended the system to the North Shore.

It has proven so successful that the center wants to move it closer to the main building and is negotiating a sales price with the authority that it hopes will provide enough money to build a new facility. It will work with UPMC and local sports teams to add new exhibits when it moves.

Ms. Haas said that relocation is part of the center's goal to put all its exhibits together near the riverfront. She would like to close North Short Drive as it passes through the center's property, but if that's not possible she wants to have all parking on the north side of North Shore, so patrons only have to cross the street one time to get to all exhibit areas.

The centerpiece of the expansion, though, will be the focus on ecology and the rivers. Ms. Glofelty said the Heinz Endowments already was looking for additional ways to use the area's riverfronts and involve the public with them when it heard about the science center's plans. A happy marriage was formed.

"They have just an amazing location there on the riverfront," Ms. Glofelty said. "They began to see that as they went through their review process and began thinking about incorporating that into exhibits.

"We said, 'Great. If that's the direction you want to go, we want to go there with you.' "

Although the details are still being developed, the expansion might include a green, environmentally friendly building and outdoor space.

Exhibits could include simulated fishing and kayaking; water quality and waste-water treatment; how the three rivers were formed; and the importance of the fourth river underground.

RiverQuest, the educational organization that runs river-based programs for school children on boats that dock next to the science center, will be a key partner on this project.

"I think their location on the water and focus on the river ... could become a tourist destination on its own," Ms. Glofelty said. "I think people who grow up in an urban environment tend to be afraid of water because they're always told to stay away from the river and it's smelly and dirty.

"What you've got is a whole generation of people who don't embrace the water, and we think we can help change that."

Ms. Haas said the center will spend the next eight months working up design and cost details so it can present a full project by the end of the year.

"We have a commitment to the rivers and our location really puts us in a position of prominence, maybe more than any other science center in the world," Ms. Haas said. "We have to do everything we can to take advantage of that."

[UrbaniDesDev]

This was Jean Nouvel's winning proposal. It was a gangly building to be built on top of the existing Science Center. I never took it seriously. Complete fantasy and a huge waste of money. I hated this
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e235/UrbaniDesDev/JeanNouvelScienceCenter2.jpg

This was some of the others in the competition
UNStudio
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e235/UrbaniDesDev/car_vanBerkel.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e235/UrbaniDesDev/CarnegieScienceCenterUNStudio2.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e235/UrbaniDesDev/CarnegieScienceCenterUNStudio3.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e235/UrbaniDesDev/CarnegieScienceCenterUNStudio4.jpg
Pretty wild

Libeskind
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e235/UrbaniDesDev/car_libeskind.jpg

[Evergrey]

the Post-Gazette editorial board emphasizes something I've been talking about quite a bit...

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07099/776330-192.stm

Shrinking Pittsburgh: Census data is a clarion call to get our act together

Monday, April 09, 2007

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

U.S. Census Bureau figures informed Pittsburghers Wednesday that our seven-county area was second only to New Orleans among U.S. metropolitan areas in population loss since 2000.

Reasons given were, first, lack of international immigration to the area and, second, an excess of deaths over births. Our population is the oldest among cities of comparable size in the country.

The news hits everyone -- business, civic, state and local community leaders -- working to promote the area. We must continue to try to make the tide flow the other way, but, unfortunately, the numbers are now on the record and indisputable. In that sense we join Cleveland, Buffalo, Youngstown, Scranton, Dayton, Toledo, Rochester and Syracuse -- along with New Orleans -- in sharing the dour distinction of being a place where more people leave, vertically or horizontally, than come.

What is to be done about it? It is the truth that medical care is advancing apace in Pittsburgh with the likely result that people will live longer, thus slowing down deaths here, although the impact of that phenomenon on the overall regional economy is ambiguous.

So the real area to apply our efforts is the immigration piece. Immigrants come to an area for jobs and income possibilities, and because they find a city or a region to be a welcoming environment. The jobs part is key, and seems to be understood by all southwestern Pennsylvania leaders to be a very high priority concern.

Many elements go into defining the environment part of the equation. We look pretty decent on paper with the new convention center (in spite of the hole in it), the coming casino, the new hockey arena, the evergreen Steelers and, at the risk of jinxing them, perhaps even a winning baseball team this year.

On the negative side we have the city's and the region's still primitive approach to efficiency in government, with our boroughs and local officials lined up at the trough to slurp up what remain very high, wide and varied taxes collected eagerly by municipal governments, schools and Pennsylvania. Continued southwestern Pennsylvania resistance to consolidation of government is not a charming feature of local life; it is a backward approach to government -- and the taxation that goes with it -- that discourages anyone looking to live here.

Will the Census Bureau's delivery of the unpleasant truth about people leaving wake anyone up? We doubt it, given that those who would have to change the lineup are the very people who profit from it. But we have to hope. Continued population loss helps none of us.

[hyperion1110]

It's going to take a lot of political will to change the minds of most municipalities. Suburbanites, by and large, just don't understand the impact of their lifestyles on the entire region. Still, there are things that can be done. Firstly, the State Constitution needs to be amended, giving counties, specifically, the power to combine municipalities together. Were this done, I have no doubt Allegheny County Council would at least fold all of the municipalities adjacent to Pittsburgh into the city, boosting to population to just about 1 million, a figure which more accurately reflects Pgh's size as a city. There are ways to amend the constitution as well. There are enough cities in PA losing population because of government inefficiencies and suburban sprawl that, when combined, represent a very powerful political base. Off the top of my head, there are Pgh, Erie, Scranton, Johnstown, Altoona, Harrisburg, Reading, and Wilkesbarre. And I'm sure supprt could be drummed up from neighboring counties as well. Only a fool cannot see that where-goes Pittsburgh, there-goes all of Western PA, all 5+ million of us. Now, second on the list of things to be done, I think, is Pittsburgh needs to be reclassified as a first-class city, with all the sovereignty and taxing priviledges that entails. And third, the size of municiple governments needs to be shrunken. All 130 municipalities in Allegheny County do NOT need their own planning commissions, economic development departments, police, fire, and EMS service, and so on, in the event that those places are not annexed by the city. Just my two cents...

Has anyone heard anything more on the panel that was formed regarding city-county consolidation?

[Grego43]

I'm not too worried about the population loss. The loss is in part what makes Pittsburgh a livable city. I would love for the population to continue falling while at the same time higher paying high tech and medical jobs increase. This seems to be what is happening now. This scenerio translates to a stronger economy with better living conditions. While the rest of the country is struggling with insane prices, we can live comfortably here with less competition.

So don't be disheartened. Let those young people leave. They drive too aggressively anyway.

BTW, I moved here from Austin which is full of young people. It was awful. Every restaurant, cafe, etc. played music way too loud. The younger people got drunk all the time - vomiting on the streets, etc. And if you were over 30 years old, you didn't exist. People here are more mature. They can hold a conversation, and not every place plays loud "music."


:previous: No offense intended...but this kind of thinking is a huge part of what ails Pittsburgh. How can you possibly argue that the draining of population, especially the MOST PRODUCTIVE element of the population, is good for a metro area??? You're all for the "young, fast-driving" people leaving town? Guess what, they are...in droves.

An uneducated, aging populace will not attract the "higher paying high tech" jobs you long for...it will cause the exact opposite. Were it not for CMU & Pitt being in town, the city would be in much deeper shit than it is. You say you lived in Austin but it was awful because of all the young people...don't despair...the way things are going, it won't be long before last twentysomething leaves Pittsburgh and you can have the streets to yourself and hold a conversation with other "mature" people.

[themaguffin]

On a more trivial note, but something that drives me nuts is the series of distracting signs on the parkways. “Target DUI zone” “Don’t tailgate” etc. They look like construction signs and again are distracting. All roads should be areas where DUI is frowned upon to say the least and the other signs just sound ridiculous. How about proper roads with adequate ramps… driving in an area with this large of a population that kind of archaic roadway is a real danger everyday. It forces the lest lane to be the only lane where one might travel – possibly – at Interstate speeds, but then again it’s I guess it’s just so to be some pleasant drive to Eat n Park though isn’t it….

[Grego43]

:previous: Hear, Hear!!

[Evergrey]

You're all for the "young, fast-driving" people leaving town? Guess what, they are...in droves.


Actually, they're not.... I've discussed the components of Pittsburgh's population loss many times. The young people left in droves 20 years ago... I assume from your posts that you were part of that exodus... when the largest portion of the baby boom generation was reaching young adulthood. Unfortunately, the mass exodus of young people in the wake of the steel collapse has resulted in continued population erosion. The out-migration of people within the 24-35 segment for Metro Pittsburgh is now one of the lowest in the country for major metros... most of our net migration loss comes from retirees fleeing to Phoenix or Bradenton. The problem is that our in-migration rate is even smaller than our low out-migration rate. In addition, the loss of young adults in the 80s skewed our population so that we now have one of the largest percentages of seniors in the country. We lost the young adults and the children they had elsewhere. This has resulted in deaths outnumbering births. Pittsburgh is unique among major metros in this respect. Most major metros besides the Atlantas, Charlottes, etc. experience domestic net out-migrations, at a much greater rate than Pittsburgh. However, other metros have natural increases and international migration to cover the balance and gain population. Even struggling Cleveland has more births than deaths... though their rate of net out-migration is so great they are losing population anyways. Our economy appears to have been relatively stagnant compared to the country over the past 20 years... but while there has not been great overall growth... there has been a radical restructuring within. Pittsburgh is now one of the least blue-collar major metros... and has seen rapid growth in heathcare, higher education and science & engineering. In addition, we've gone from being a relatively poor region to surpassing the national average in per capita personal income. However, due to our population loss we have also lost jobs in "population-dependent" sectors, further inhibiting our ability to increase domestic and international in-migration and reverse the population decline. Jobs in government (where 1/3 of national jobs are created), transportation, retail, construction, etc. have declined... hampering the overall economy. The dramatic decline in labor demanded for our manufacturing sector has also been a drag on overall job levels.

Ironically, we are now beginning to see a diminishing percentage of seniors and increasing percentage of young people while the rest of the country continues to increase their senior cohorts. Our age demographic continues to work its way towards "normal".

Metro-wide, our percentage of adults with bachelors or post-graduate degrees is slightly below the US average and above the PA average. However, our low percentage is skewed by having a large percentage of seniors... who are much less likely to have degrees due to the blue-collar economy that was prevelant at the time... and the fact that people just had lower educational attainment back then. When percentage of degrees is adjusted for the 24-35 segment... we look much more impressive. In fact, for just the city alone... we rank in the top 10 of cities over 250,000 for percentage of population with bachelor's degrees... and 4th... behind cities like DC and Boston... for percentage of those with a post-graduate degree.

The continued erosion of metro population is indeed of grave concern... but it is important to understand the real reasons why... and the real implications of... as opposed to perpetuating outdated myths and stereotypes.

In fact, I wish more young Pittsburghers could leave and be ambassadors for the region... as we're pretty much unknown now... but due to our low levels of in-migration and the birth deficit... we need to keep as many as we can... and we are.





btw hyperion... impressive post... i agree completely... structural change for the system of municipal governance needs to come from the state level

[cdc]

In fact, for just the city alone... we rank in the top 10 of cities over 250,000 for percentage of population with bachelor's degrees... and 4th... behind cities like DC and Boston... for percentage of those with a post-graduate degree. ...

btw hyperion... impressive post... i agree completely... structural change for the system of municipal governance needs to come from the state level


Interestingly enough, I read in the Trib a few days ago that only one
of our city council members actually has a bachelor's degree (Peduto
just finished his degree. The Mayor also has a degree.)

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/search/s_498514.html


BTW, it is hard to believe that the state is going to provide much
help. When they are not busy increasing their pay in the middle of
the night, they are proposing tax increases, more gambling, and
selling/leasing off state assets for a one-time lump sum payment
(which they will likely squander). In the mean time, they pass laws
that protect "gold-plated" government pensions/healthcare benefits to
prevent meaningful reform.

The bottom line is that governments hate to shrink (even if the tax
paying population is shrinking).

[Evergrey]

a shot in the arm for Downtown's weak office market

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07100/776545-28.stm

UPMC plans to move headquarters to largest building Downtown

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

By Dan Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

http://www.post-gazette.com/images4/20070410Wap_USSTOWER_350.jpg
Keith Srakocic, Associated Press
An icon of the Dowtown skyline will be the new headquarters fro UPMC.

The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's pending move from Oakland to the city's largest office tower Downtown is about more than the basic need for space. It also symbolizes the evolution of what was a small medical school into what is now the largest employer in Western Pennsylvania, with more than 40,000 people at its command.

UPMC Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Romoff, the person who charted that rise, will officially announce the crosstown move this morning at U.S. Steel Tower, site of UPMC's new Grant Street headquarters. Confirming the decision yesterday with a brief press advisory, the hospital conglomerate hailed the consolidation of corporate and administrative functions Downtown as a sign of "UPMC's commitment to the city and the community."

UPMC will likely take several floors -- one real estate source said yesterday that UPMC could start with 200,000 square feet and grow to as much as 400,000 square feet over a period of years -- and plant its sign somewhere on the blackish-gray tower built for U.S. Steel Corp. in 1970.

During negotiations with the landlord, UPMC was said to have discussed the placement of its logo atop the 64-story building, visible for miles around. It was not known yesterday whether the landlord had agreed to that step; the property manager and leasing agent both declined comment.

Today's announcement, though, does end plenty of speculation within the real estate and medical communities about the ultimate location of UPMC, a $5.7 billion nonprofit that made a "profit"-- excess revenue over expenses -- of $523 million in 2006 and continues to grow at a torrid pace, swallowing land and other hospitals. In the last 15 months alone, UPMC spent $13 million acquiring properties surrounding its Hillman Cancer Center in Shadyside, preparing for a possible expansion of 300,000 square feet, while supervising construction of the 900,000-square-foot, $575-million Children's Hospital in Lawrenceville.

It also is awaiting federal and state approvals of a $120 million merger with Pittsburgh Mercy Health System -- a deal that would give the largest employer in southwestern Pennsylvania access to more than half the hospital market in Allegheny County. A Federal Trade Commission spokesman confirmed yesterday that the agency recently asked UPMC and Mercy for more information -- indicating a heightened level of scrutiny.

Both the FTC and the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office are looking into possible antitrust issues.

No one knows how long the reviews will take.

"It is a waiting game right now," said Mercy spokeswoman Shannon Adam. "Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do to speed up the process. It is out of our hands."

A UPMC rival, West Penn Allegheny, continues to rail against the merger, arguing that it would drive up health-care costs in the region.

"UPMC's aggressive acquisition of Western Pennsylvania hospitals over the past 10 years constitutes nothing less than an attempt to monopolize the provision of health care services in this region," said Dan Laurent, a spokesman for West Penn Allegheny.

UPMC monopoly, he added, would "adversely impact the competitive position of businesses in the community and stunt business growth via higher health-care costs. We are gratified that the FTC is taking concerns over this proposed merger seriously and closely examining its potential implications for our region."

West Penn Allegheny's opposition puts the shoe on the other foot in a long-standing adversarial relationship that saw UPMC challenges West Penn's merger with Allegheny General nearly a decade ago.

UPMC notes that it is not unusual for the FTC to make such requests for additional information. "We remain confident that this review will culminate in a merger that benefits Mercy, its employees and the health care consumers of this region," it said in a statement.

A spokesman for the state attorney general's office could not be reached for comment.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Dan Fitzpatrick can be reached at dfitzpatrick@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1752. )




...


Trib has some interesting details...


http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_501911.html

UPMC headquarters to move Downtown

By Thomas Olson
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, April 10, 2007


The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center plans to give tenant-hungry Downtown a shot in the arm by moving its headquarters from Oakland to the U.S. Steel Tower, the health care giant said Monday.
The move will place the region's largest employer on the top floors of Pittsburgh's tallest building. U.S. Steel Tower is 64 stories; UPMC employs about 40,000 people.

The office vacancy rate Downtown was 20 percent at the end of the year, according to the latest figures from the commercial real estate firm Grubb & Ellis.

"It's a great positive for the city to have UPMC come Downtown," said Jon Harrigan, chief executive of Pennsylvania Commercial Real Estate, a Downtown brokerage firm. "It will help immensely to absorb some of that space."

A formal announcement of the long-expected relocation is to be made this morning.

Currently, UPMC's headquarters are in Forbes Tower along Meyran Avenue. UPMC owns the building and is its only tenant.

"I think the space in Oakland will be reabsorbed by hospital and research people," Harrigan said. "Oakland has always been a very tight (real estate) market."

Grubb & Ellis estimates Oakland office space is only 10.8 percent vacant, making the neighborhood the tightest of Pittsburgh's sub-markets, said Pam Lowery, the firm's client service manager.

UPMC has been spreading into nearby neighborhoods such as Shadyside, where it has acquired properties for expansion, including a second Hillman Cancer Center near its current Hillman facility along Centre Avenue.

The medical center's headquarters decision coincides with H.J. Heinz' recent announcement that it would move out of U.S. Steel Tower. The food processor will relocate its world headquarters and 200 people to PPG Place in March.

Heinz' shift will open floors 59 and 60 of the skyscraper. U.S. Steel Corp. occupies the 61st floor. The top rentable floor -- 62, where the vaunted Top of the Triangle restaurant once operated -- has long been vacant.

UPMC spokesman Frank Raczkiewicz would not comment on widespread rumors that UPMC would take those top floors, or that Chief Executive Jeffrey Romoff's office would be perched on 62.

"We're going to be doing this in stages," said Raczkiewicz, who said only that UPMC would occupy several floors. He could not say how long it would take to move the headquarters or how many people would be relocated.

Raczkiewicz would not say how much of U.S. Steel Tower's 2.3 million square feet of space UPMC would occupy. But real estate sources have estimated the giant nonprofit will use 400,000 square feet of space, including as much as 200,000 square feet initially.

Harrigan said UPMC's 400,000 square feet is only a small fraction of Downtown's 32 million square feet of total office space. But UPMC will take up much of the space available in large, contiguous chunks of first-class office space.

"Larger tenants will find fewer (new space) opportunities," Harrigan said. "So supply and demand should mean the price will go up."

First-class office space Downtown rents for about $21.50 per square foot, a figure that has not changed much in about 30 years, he said.

Grubb & Ellis records show that of the Pittsburgh area's seven sub-markets, only the Parkway West's 22.3 percent vacancy and the Downtown fringe's 22 percent are worse than the Downtown rate.



Thomas Olson can be reached at tolson@tribweb.com or (412) 320-7854.

[Grego43]

Evergrey...

Thanks for the encouraging counterpoints to my post. I don't know where you got the stats...but I glad for them.

I was going on a 2003 US Census report that stated: Of 276 metropolitan areas, only Gainesville, Fla., showed a greater net loss between 1995 and 2000 of migrating individuals who were single, between the ages of 25 and 39, with at least a bachelor's degree. Pittsburgh lost 7,444 more of such individuals than it attracted, which was 20 fewer than the hometown of the University of Florida.

BTW, yes I was part of the exodus of the 80s, but much of my family remains and I'm fortunate to visit quite often for both business & leisure.

[UrbaniDesDev]

I found this article from the post. Its from 2005 but has some interesting facts

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05198/538678.stm

Pittsburgh's lament: We could have been a contender
Sunday, July 17, 2005

By Brian O'Neill

Pittsburgh has slipped again. We've now America's 56th largest city, down from 10th in 1940, and you can bet your autographed copy of the Rand McNally road atlas that we'll continue to slide even if the regional economy booms. Because Sun Belt cities don't play by our rules.

That is a fact many people miss when comparing the sizes of cities. Only passing mention was made in a story last week of a big reason that western and southern cities grow quickly: They annex their suburbs, turning commuters into city residents, whether they like it or not.

I asked graphic artist James Hilston to show what Pittsburgh might look like had it played the same Sun Belt game for the past half-century or so. This is just a parlor trick, a little mind bender for a Sunday afternoon, not a suggestion for our future. Nobody needs to go to the parapets at the borough borders to keep Pittsburgh at bay. But here's what's been happening in five of the 10 largest cities in the United States.

Houston went from 17 square miles in 1910 to 160 square miles at mid-century to 579 square miles at century's end. San Diego has more than tripled its land area since mid-century, as has Dallas. San Antonio is nearly six times its 1950 land area. Phoenix is more than 27 times its mid-century form. In fact, the land gained by both Phoenix and San Antonio in the 1990s alone represents an area larger than Pittsburgh.

What's funny, though, is that Pittsburgh is still more densely populated than any of them. Pittsburgh has more people per square mile, even after losing half its population, than five of the top 10 cities in the country.

The chart uses data from the 2000 census. Pittsburgh has managed to misplace another 12,000 people since then, and the other cities have grown some, but the point remains. The average Pittsburgh resident has twice as many neighbors per square mile as the average resident of San Antonio or Phoenix, and at least 50 percent more than Dallas, Houston and San Diego.

The average Top 10 city is 340 square miles, roughly six times the size of Pittsburgh. They've adapted to the auto age by spreading out and broadening the tax base to include those who lived in the "real" Houston, or San Diego or Phoenix, and not just those within the buggy-age boundaries.

How much land is that?

The smallest of the cities, San Diego, would swallow about 90 of Allegheny County's 130 municipalities entirely, and take pieces of more than a dozen others. The northern line would split Hampton and McCandless, the southern line would go deep into Upper St. Clair and Bethel Park, the eastern boundary would cut through Penn Hills and Monroeville and the western one would slice Moon.

More than 900,000 people live within that circle, by my guess.

The largest city in the Sun Belt quintet, Houston, would stretch wide enough to touch all but about dozen communities in Allegheny County, and would get into Peters in Washington County. About 1.2 million people live within that circle.

These are approximations. There's no need to be precise because cities don't grow in perfect circles anyway. The population of any of the circles, however, would make Pittsburgh the ninth largest city in the country, and only slightly less densely populated than the Sun Belt dynamos.

These cities are closer in size and texture to our county than our city, you see. Pittsburghers are in no way unique by spreading out for the past several generations. Families have shrunk in size since 1940 while seeking larger houses with bigger yards here, there and everywhere.

What do you do with this information? File it. Toss it. Doesn't matter. You can rest assured Pennsylvania won't do anything with it. According to a U.S. Census Bureau survey, in the 1980s, more than 75,000 annexations occurred in the United States, involving about 9,200 square miles and a population of almost 2.6 million. During those same 10 years, 18 annexations occurred in Pennsylvania, involving less than one square mile and fewer than 500 persons.

Pennsylvania cities will empty before that changes. Some might call this a divide-and-be-conquered strategy, but Pittsburgh has shrunk too much to make annexation a plausible option anyway. Someday, the county will have to assume the role the city is no longer equipped to play, and then the perfectly American spreading of the populace won't matter so much.

[Evergrey]

Evergrey...

Thanks for the encouraging counterpoints to my post. I don't know where you got the stats...but I glad for them.

I was going on a 2003 US Census report that stated: Of 276 metropolitan areas, only Gainesville, Fla., showed a greater net loss between 1995 and 2000 of migrating individuals who were single, between the ages of 25 and 39, with at least a bachelor's degree. Pittsburgh lost 7,444 more of such individuals than it attracted, which was 20 fewer than the hometown of the University of Florida.

BTW, yes I was part of the exodus of the 80s, but much of my family remains and I'm fortunate to visit quite often for both business & leisure.

Yes... I saw that sobering statistic... though Pittsburgh's rate of "brain drain" was 166th out of 276 metros. And also, the fact that we had a great net loss does not necessarily equate to an exceptional out-flow... but is mostly due to a hampered ability to attract in-flow. As Chris Briem, regional economist for the University of Pittsburgh Center for Social and Urban Research (and Pittsburgh socio-economics statistics guru) said in that very article you cite, "The local production and local supply of highly educated workers is such that we can't possibly absorb them all. We do a decent job at actually retaining them but... our ability to attract these workers from elsewhere is depressed." This is certainly not a good thing... but it's a bit more palatable than the common perception of an eternal mass evacuation of Pittsburgh... and it is imperative to make the proper diagnosis if we are to find a cure.

I discuss the socio-economic indices and trends of the Pittsburgh region quite a bit... I derive much of my data and information from a number of key sources... including:

Carnegie-Mellon's Center for Economic Development. They have done many reports over the years analyzing population and migration trends in the region.
Are Young People Really Fleeing in Droves? (http://www.smartpolicy.org/pdf/pitmigration.pdf)

"When compared to other 25 largest metropolitan areas in the U.S., the
Pittsburgh region has both the lowest in-migration
and the lowest out-migration rate (25th of 25) of all
regions studied."
http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/75326887.jpg

"The Pittsburgh region has experienced a net migration loss, despite outmigration rates that are among the lowest of all other large metropolitan
areas in the U.S. This data suggests that the region is not losing population in droves, it is simply not replacing the people it loses the way other regions
have been able to do."

The Roots of Pittsburgh's Population Drain (http://www.smartpolicy.org/pdf/pop_drain.pdf)

"Out migration from the Pittsburgh region was lower than nearly all other regions of comparable size.

...

Despite these positive trends, there remain several large barriers to regional population growth.
• Net migration losses among people in their 20’s persist, although they are less severe than they were during the 1980’s.
• Comparatively few people move to the region from elsewhere in the US. While the region had lost relatively few residents to migration, it was unable to replace them from other domestic sources. Due to the lack of new blood from outside the region, an insular culture has developed in many regional communities. Newcomers often express difficulty in acclimating to life in the region compared to their experiences in communities with a larger number of recent arrivals.
• The region also attracts few international immigrants. According to immigration data, the region is off the beaten path for foreign migrants when compared to other comparably-sized regions."

Destination Pittsburgh? (http://www.smartpolicy.org/pdf/destinationpittsburgh.pdf)

"In 2000, the Center for Economic
Development issued a series of reports examining migration trends in the region. These reports found that contrary to popular belief, Pittsburgh was not losing people so much that it was not attracting people. In-migration and out-migration were both extremely low."

Chris Briem, who I mentioned earlier, has a very informative website full of regional socio-economic information, charts and links to articles he's written on the subject. http://www.briem.com/

Coincidentally, Chris Briem posted a blog referring to the annual population loss obsession at his Null Space blog. "did you hear that the population is declining?" http://nullspace2.blogspot.com/ it's an excellent read that gets into all sorts of complex issues people don't usually think about when it's so much easier to declare this a dying region... such as job destruction in population-dependent sectors... women entering the workforce in a region that traditionally had very low rates of female participation... etc.

"
but here is the message that I swear I tried to explain to each and every reporter I talked to.. Yes population is declining. Between a third to a half of that decline is caused by natural population decline. That got across, but there is an important corollary to that. Because population is going down, there is an impact local job growth numbers. As a benchmark, 2/3rds of a regional economy exists to provide goods and services to the local population. For a bunch of reasons that have little to do with the current competitiveness of the region, population is going down. That means a palpable part of labor demand within the economy is going away. It is not a demographic trend caused by any inability of local industries to sell products and compete against firms across the nation. You need to interpret our employment growth numbers in that context. If you net out the job loss that has happened solely because of inexorable demographic adjustment, we compare a lot better to other regions in terms of job growth, income growth or any related measure. Does anyone ever notice that? no."

Pittsburgh Future did an excellent piece examining the performance of different sectors of our economy. We've had strong growth in high-wage sectors, but our overall performance is hampered by a decline in population-dependent sectors such as government. http://www.pittsburghfuture.com/economy.html

The Bureau of Economic Statistics states that Pittsburgh's Economic Area has a per capita personal income greater than the national average and a growth rate greater than the national rate of growth. http://www.bea.gov

The Cleveland Fed just did a piece on our metro economy. http://www.clevelandfed.org/Research/Trends/2007/0407/01regact_032607.cfm I talk about a lot of this stuff in the Pittsburgh Economy thread linked in my signature.


Lastly, an article from the Tribune-Review last year which reports on a study that found increasing rates of students at metro colleges and universities staying here after graduation... both from the area and from outside the area... and increasing rates at prestigious Carnegie-Mellon... which draws only 9% of its students from the Pittsburgh Region. I wish I could find the actual study.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_448668.html

[Evergrey]

Hazlewood... the most Mon Valley-ish of the city neighborhoods... it's fate is in limbo as long as the indecision over the Mon-Fayette Expressway continues... I need to dine at Jozsa Corner one of these days...

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07100/776531-53.stm

Hazelwood's hope for revival stunted by expressway plans

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

By Diana Nelson Jones, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette



The brick building at Elizabeth Street and Second Avenue is the heart of Dorothy Cusick's Hazelwood. It was where her family's business, Ciaramella's bar, and their upstairs apartment looked across the avenue at St. Stephen Church.

The building is lifeless, its street level windows boarded. A Victorian-era three-story with mission-tile pent roofs, it will be razed if the Mon-Fayette Expressway gets that far.

Mrs. Cusick recently turned 90. Her life spans Hazelwood's heyday and decline. She uses memories to see the neighborhood as it used to be, while a tangible connection to the past remains in a core of businesses hanging on along Second Avenue.

One recent day, the aroma of smoked kielbasa filled Dimperio's Market, where Mike Dimperio, who grew up a block away, was stocking inventory. He has been a grocer on Second Avenue for most of his 66 years.

"Business is way off," he said. "I've been jumped, and there's a bullet hole in my file cabinet. But I don't want to be a quitter. The older people depend on us, and we have people [former residents] who come back to buy meat."

Mr. Dimperio's father started the market in 1929. It moved to its current location in 1940, when he was born. Now, he works alongside his own son.

"My son said, 'If you're not here, I'm not going to be here,' but with me, it's in the blood. One day I was shopping at GNC and subconsciously started lining up the vitamin bottles."

Like the rest of the Steel Valley, Hazelwood saw its economy go down a hole when heavy industry left. It inspires little investment now, in part due to uncertainty of the Mon-Fayette Expressway's progress.

Jim Richter, executive director of the Hazelwood Initiative, said the University of Pittsburgh did a marketing study for Second Avenue, "but the prognosis isn't even cautiously optimistic because we're hamstrung waiting to find out if the expressway is going to happen."

In 1950, 20,734 people lived in the combined Hazelwood-Glen Hazel-Glenwood census district. In 1962, the neighborhood had 210 functioning storefronts, eight of them independent grocers.

By 2005, the neighborhood had 5,334 residents, 38 percent of whom were drawing Social Security, and none of its schools remain open.

The elderly population supports both a Rite Aid and Sandy Darling's Elizabeth Pharmacy.

"We're expanding everything we can possibly expand," said Mr. Darling. "I hang on because I need the job."

Offering services the chains don't, like Western Union, money orders and bill collection for 50 companies, the pharmacy also carries people's bills over when they're short on money for prescriptions.

He will eventually turn the store over to a partner, but not in surrender. Hazelwood's condition is better than most people perceive, he said.

"Most of the time in the daytime, it's nice. We have a lot of senior citizens walking around. At night, no matter where you are, you could be in danger."

"It does kind of get you down, though," said Mr. Dimperio, "when you look at what's happening in other places with the makeovers, that we haven't had one."

Old photos show a density of architecture that Alex Bodnar describes as "toothy." Today, in the block across Second Avenue from his Hungarian restaurant, Jozsa Corner, just three 'teeth' remain.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority owns two of them and all the vacant land on both sides of the block. It invested to poise the land for a tie-in with redevelopment of the old LTV coke plant.

"The URA tore down two buildings adjacent to me last year," said Mr. Bodnar, kneading with bear-like arms a pillow of dough for poppy seed rolls. "When I was a kid [in Hungary], everything from America was made to last. All top-notch products. Now, I'm afraid things are made to destroy.

"But I'm an optimist," he said with a broad smile. "I believe that what seems difficult may take a while and what seems impossible a while longer."

As Mr. Bodnar prepared for Easter orders, Mrs. Cusick had a clutch of family around her for her 90th birthday celebration. One day, her granddaughter, Leslie Houck, from California, drove her and Mrs. Cusick's daughter, Dorothy Barnishin, on a tour of the old sites.

"I didn't want to leave Hazelwood," said Mrs. Cusick, who lives with a granddaughter in West Mifflin. "I could walk for anything -- to the pharmacy, the church, the post office."

She studied the facade of the family's old bar, looked into memories of the upstairs apartment, at the arched doorway off the sidewalk. She worked there for her father before Prohibition and ran it herself after he died. She had married a Hazelwood boy, Regis Cusick, and had four children.

David O'Connor, the third-generation director of the funeral home beside it, owns the building now. Mr. O'Connor was coming out of the funeral home when he spotted her and bounded across the street.

She told him she was concerned about the building being demolished.

"I'll be 90 before that highway comes through," he said.

"I know," she said, "but warn me just in case, so I can fight for it."



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Diana Nelson Jones can be reached at djones@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1626. )

...


this article didn't really touch on the 178 acre LTV brownfield site in Hazelwood... last I heard there was supposed to be some sort of mixed-use devlopment built there... as mentioned in this Pop City feature from January
http://www.popcitymedia.com/features/46brownfields.aspx

Last year it was reported that Carnegie-Mellon wanted to build Robot City there... I wonder if that is part of the mixed-use plan
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_435985.html

[EventHorizon]

UPMC wants its logo atop city's tallest building


Tuesday, April 10, 2007
By Dan Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"University of Pittsburgh Medical Center President Jeffrey Romoff confirmed today that he wants a UPMC logo atop the 64-story U.S. Steel Tower as part of his agreement to move the headquarters of the Oakland hospital conglomerate Downtown and fill five floors in the city's largest office building" ....


http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07100/776679-100.stm

http://www.ccm.upmc.edu/global/images/upmc_logo.gif

I imagine that the "UPMC" lettering is part of their logo. I wonder what that's going to look like?

[themaguffin]

I don't want another logo on the top of a signature building. Put one on the plaza grounds... rename the building... I don't care but please don't put a logo on the building.

[Grego43]

:previous: I'll second that...I'm not a big fan of defacing buildings with logos.

On another note, I'm sorry to read that the 62nd floor is being carved up for office space. I worked at Top of The Triangle in the 80s while on Summer break from university...what a unique place that was. There were private dining rooms for USS & Rockwell International (Rockwell, now there's a blast from Pittsburgh's past), and two private dining clubs, but to my knowledge no board rooms or offices. Too bad another restaurant didn't make a go of it.

[BMikeSci]

I don't think things are as bad as some think. I recommend the talk on "local and regional economical outlook" for a good look at the PGH area trends:

http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/talkCastCustomNoAds.jsp?masterId=2265

[Evergrey]

(Rockwell, now there's a blast from Pittsburgh's past).

Indeed. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DEED71F30F936A15756C0A96E948260


btw, if the 62nd floor is the highest "office" floor... what are floors 63 and 64 used for?




...

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07100/776678-100.stm


Arena-area demolition begins; meeting set on Hill desires

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

By Rich Lord, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Penguins are expected to join a meeting Thursday involving Hill District residents, Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato, to try to work toward a community benefits agreement and ensure that the neighborhood shares in a surge of development.



http://www.post-gazette.com/images4/20070410rad_arenawork_brk_450.jpg
The St. Regis Building behind Epiphany Church is among the first to be demolished to make way for the new hockey arena.

Officials talked about the meeting as they watched over the beginning of demolition of a former Epiphany Church building on Colwell Street on the arena site.

"It's important to get the stakeholders at the table, obviously the Penguins being a significant one," Mr. Ravenstahl said. "We understand that there has been, perhaps, some tension there in the past, at least on the side of the Hill District residents. So we want to start to smooth that over. . . . Hopefully that meeting will be the first step in building that relationship."

The Penguins are building a $290 million arena in the Hill District, financed with gambling revenue and a team contribution. A group of Hill District business leaders and clergy met with Mr. Ravenstahl and Mr. Onorato last week and provided a "terms sheet" indicating they want $10 million in development funding for the neighborhood, a share of arena and development revenue, and a guarantee that 30 percent of related jobs will go to minorities.

"I'm optimistic that the items that we talked about, if you look at them as goals as opposed to specific items, we can achieve those goals in a community-based agreement," said Mr. Onorato.

The mayor added that there would have to be give and take.

"We're going to look at ways we can invest money into the Hill District," he said. "I think when we talk about numbers like $10 million, it would be input and dollars that would go into redeveloping the area, not necessarily a lump sum payment. But it would be money put into development."

Penguins President David Morehouse withheld comment until after the meeting. The team will bring its neighborhood development consultant, Don Carter of Urban Design Associates, to the meeting.

In addition to the arena development, casino license winner Don Barden has pledged to be involved in a $350 million redevelopment of adjacent parts of the Hill.

The Penguins and the city-county Sports and Exhibition Authority continue to exchange drafts of a new arena lease, officials said.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

[BANKofMANHATTAN]

What is going on with logos on buildings?

It takes away from the architecture and cheapens the skyline.

But they just HAVE to have it don't they?

[BMikeSci]

The talkshoe lecture is interesting. It talks about how the PGH metropolitan area differs demographically from the city of PGH. The city of PGH proper is tiny. That's one of the reason why I believe it can boom fairly easily. If it were a much larger area, it would take so much more to turn it around. I believe that the residential rennaisance will put the city on track - making it more balanced and viable.

This town is a very confusing place. All the little municipalities make statistics difficult to gather; so it's hard to get a clear picture of what's going on here. I can't even get real estate trend reports here other than the saterday post gazette. I know my opinion is based largely on personal experience. I would like to base my opinion on hard facts, but they're too difficult to get here. This board is one of the better sources of info around.

I've lived many places, and I think PGH is a great city. It's easy to live here, and the town offers so much. So, because I've lived in so many other places, I think that I appreciate PGH more than a lot of the long term residents. I would probably be more negative, had I lived here through a lot of the bad times, but things look pretty good here to me now.

[themaguffin]

btw, if the 62nd floor is the highest "office" floor... what are floors 63 and 64 used for?


Until recently the top floor was home to the Top of the Triangle restaurant.

Maybe some of the top 2 floors are maintenance related?

[hyperion1110]

I haven't lived in many other places than Pgh, but I have lived in both Mississippi and New Jersey (Morristown, to be exact). Let me just tell you...I appreciate Pgh a WHOLE LOT. Mississippi is just not worth considering as a viable place to live, not the least of which is the persistent racism. And New Jersey was nothing to write home about: it smelled, the people were generally unkind, and it exemplified everything that is wrong with suburban sprawl.

As for the signs on the buildings, I don't see a problem with that at all. I think it makes downtown especially colorful at night. Look at 5th Ave Place. The inclusion of the Highmark logo and the changing of its lighting from orange-yellow to a deep blue have made the building far more stunning. But all of that aside, those logos are a symbol. I guarantee, if Westinghouse were to build a huge skyscraper downtown and place its name and logo on top, everyone would cheer it because it is a legendary company and part of Pittsburgh. And yet everyone decries UPMC's desire to have it's logo placed on top of the US Steel Tower. Why? Do we forget that it was this organization, in an earlier incarnation, that cured polio? Do we forget that this company is the largest real employer in the state (walmart is a joke)? Do we forget that this organization has a strong commitment to this city...that they treat thousands of residents for free at a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars and that it brings very high paying jobs to the city? Do we forget all of this, and complain that we don't think the logo looks pretty enough? No, I'm sorry...the argument against corporations placing logos on downtown buildings is spurious at best. These companies are committed to Pittsburgh, and I think everyone within eye shot should be reminded of it!