[Johnland]

11 stories... but, one thing to keep in mind is that the ground is not
level there. Boundary Street is far below Forbes Ave. For example,
the newish CMU Collaborative Innovation Center building across the
street from the proposed hotel site is 9 stories tall from Boundary
Street, but only 4 stories tall from Forbes Ave (4 levels of parking
and 1 level of office space are below Forbes).


At any rate, I went back and took a closer look at the hearing notice
sign. Here is a bit more info I transcribed:

City of Pittsburgh
Zoning Board of Adjustment
Zone Case No. 214-2007; Nov 14, 2007

Hearing Notice
Museum Park Hotel has filed an application to
construct an eleven-story structure for use
as Hotel/Motel (general) with 190 space
sub-level valet parking
at 4655 Forbes Ave Ward 4

This appeal does not conform to the "Height"/"Area" provisions of
the PGH Zoning Ordinance. The Zoning Board of
Adjustment, which is empowered to either grant or deny
said request, will hold a public hearing on the first floor of
the John P Robin Civic Building, 200 Ross St., PGH.
This hearing will take place on Dec 6th, 2007 at 9:10am.
Anyone in favor of or opposed to this application is invited
to attend. Testimony and presentations must be done
in person. The plans and applications are on file at the
Board of Adjustment counter located on the third floor of
the John P Robin Civic Building. Files may be examined
before the scheduled hearing date between the hours of 8am and
3pm.

Geez. I wonder what the height limit actually is. Isn't this proposed structure a stone's throw from the 42 story Cathedral of Learning. Oakland land should be densely developed.

[JackStraw]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07324/835302-113.stm

City to reward those who are going green
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
By Rich Lord, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh has one of the largest environmentally friendly buildings in the world, but until yesterday had no city incentives for green construction.

That put it behind many cities -- from Calabasas, Calif., to Morgantown, W.Va. -- that reward or require eco-friendly building design.

Yesterday, City Council played catchup with the approval of one green building incentive and the introduction of another.

"I want to put together an entire green agenda for Pittsburgh so that our city is known as one of the leading examples of sustainable development," said Councilman William Peduto, author of two bills that he says would do that.

The bill he introduced yesterday would require that any large project involving new construction or renovation undertaken by the city get a green-building rating of silver. Any private development backed by a city tax-increment financing subsidy would also have to get the rating.

Silver is the third-highest rating in the nonprofit U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, system. The requirements for a silver rating are less stringent than for platinum and gold but ahead of a basic LEED certification.

Buildings get points toward their rankings based on demolition waste disposal, energy and water efficiency, access to public transportation, use of nontoxic materials, and more. Accredited professionals charge fees to determine building ratings.

The David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown, at one point laid claim to being the largest building in the world to attain the rank of gold under the LEED system. Holding silver ratings are PNC Firstside Center, Downtown; the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank in Duquesne; and Carnegie Mellon University's New House Residence Hall, in Oakland. Two other buildings have the basic certification.

Under Mr. Peduto's legislation, any new or renovated city fire station, recreation center or public works shed would have to reach at least the silver ranking, and so would anything built by private developers seeking tax-increment financing, or TIF. That's a tool the city uses once or twice a year in which government borrows money to aid a development, then pays off the debt using most of the new taxes it creates for as long as 20 years.

TIF is usually reserved for big projects, like the $113 million Bakery Square development in Larimer that is seeking a $10 million subsidy. Council yesterday postponed a vote on that TIF, citing union concerns about inclusion of a nonunion hotel.

Bakery Square is aiming for a gold rating, said Todd Reidbord, of developer Walnut Capital Partners. He views environmental features as keys to attracting discriminating tenants.

He called city incentives for environmental design "a decent idea," but said he's "not 100 percent convinced that public financing should be tied to a private rating organization."

There's debate in the legal community about whether private ratings should affect public processes, said George J. Mongell, a real estate attorney at Washington, D.C.-based Covington & Burling who advises on green projects. Using the private U.S. Green Building Council's ratings "is really the way it goes" in most cities adopting legislation. A few, including Chicago, have written their own standards.

He said it's important to have some city incentive, noting that studies show going green adds as much as 2 percent to the cost of a new building.

Some cities allow green buildings to be larger, as council did yesterday with a final vote on Mr. Peduto's legislation allowing certified structures to be 20 percent taller than others in their zoning districts.

Others tie subsidies or speedier permitting to green ratings. Others just say that if you want to build in their jurisdictions, you have to build green, whether you're getting a subsidy or not.

Washington, D.C., demands that any new construction of more than 50,000 square feet be certified under LEED rules.

Little Calabasas, Calif., a city of 23,123, requires that any new building larger than 500 square feet be certified, and anything bigger than 5,000 square feet must get the silver rating.

For more than a year, Morgantown has required that anything larger than 10,000 square feet built by the city for its own use reach the basic certification.

Mr. Peduto's legislation most closely resembles Atlanta's. Both require that all new city-owned buildings of more than 5,000 square feet, or costing more than $2 million, be rated silver. The need for public hearings could put off a vote until next year.

Rich Lord can be reached at rlord@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1542.

[JackStraw]

I actually see the above article mentioned as, "It's about time." instead of anything good. Most cities even the sprawl laden Atlanta has all of their city buildings going for a silver rating. Soon, LEED design criteria will probably be implemented in the International Building Code as well. Pittsburgh as a city has to work harder at being green though. Just because we have the third most LEED certified buildings doesn't make the city green.

http://pittsburgh.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2007/07/09/focus4.html?jst=s_cn_hl

Here is an interesting article written in July about how Pittsburgh is far from being a green city even with all of our green buildings. However that air quality study is bogus, and that should help us.

Also, I apologize if that article was actually posted in July. I took a while off these forums, and I really don't have days to read through all 151 pages..........

[PA Pride]

And thanks Austin for the plug. Our events really are good and are worthy of checking out (here comes the horn toot). We've really been able to put Pittsburgh on the national dance music map (and even a bit international sometimes) because of the events we've been able to bring.

I gotta give credit where credit is due. You guys have single handedly made Pittsburgh more international and on the cutting edge than just about any other music force in town, so thank you! I've been having the time of my life at al your events. I've heard so many people including out of towners say: "This is just like New York" (or Washington DC or Toronto.) That is amazing to hear that about stuff going on here in Pgh.

[hyperion1110]

This is definitely a plus.

November 21, 2007

Westinghouse Electric building world’s first nuclear power simulator here, hiring 300

http://www.popcitymedia.com/galleries/Default/PGH%20Innovates/Issue%2087/Reactor_300.jpg

Monroeville-based Westinghouse Electric Company is planning to construct the world’s first nuclear power plant simulator in Westmoreland County, a $20 M plant that will involve the hiring of 300 technicians and engineers across the board.

The plant will be located at Westinghouse's Waltz Mill research and testing lab near Madison. The AP1000 power plant simulator will model the plants being built by Westinghouse in China, as well as the U.S., but without the nuclear fuel. It will be used to train Chinese and American workers in maintenance and operations of the power plant, says Vaughn Gilbert, Westinghouse spokesperson.

“This is a very vibrant site and we have made additional investments in the site over the years,” says Gilbert.

Earlier this year, Westinghouse announced plans to hire 1300 highly-skilled people to work on its $5.3 billion contract for four nuclear power reactors in China and 12 reactors in the U.S. The Chinese government is aggressively pursuing plans with Westinghouse to build as many as 30 nuclear power facilities in the country.

Westinghouse Electric is a leading supplier of nuclear power plan technology in the world.

Writer: Deb Smit
Source: Vaughn Gilbert, Westinghouse Electric

[PA Pride]

^I don't know why they included that photo; From what I can tell, that is just a computer image from inside the simulator not the actual facility that they are talking about. Or is that the actual thing they are building? I can't figure it out.

[hyperion1110]

:previous: I think it's the actual facility.

And Westmoreland County gets another win...

Respironics breaks ground on $32M facility in Upper Burrell, will hire 330

http://www.popcitymedia.com/galleries/Default/Dev%20News/Issue%2087/respironics_300.jpg

On Nov. 15th, Respironics broke ground on its new $32 million facility in Upper Burrell. Located at 312 Alvin Dr. in the Westmoreland Business and Research Park, the 165,000-square-foot facility is being constructed seven miles from Respironics’ global headquarters in Murrysville. The 56-acre center will feature a 100,000 square-foot manufacturing facility and a two-story 65,000 square-foot office complex.

Respironics’ latest expansion is prompted by worldwide demand for its sleep therapy devices and the success of its Obstructive Sleep Apnea division, a core growth driver for the company. Within five years, Respironics will add 330 new manufacturing and professional jobs. The expansion will retain 1,492 existing jobs.

“We need this plant because Respironics continues to sustain fifteen- to twenty-percent growth every year. This plant will uniquely position us to be world-class in high-volume medical device manufacturing,” says Eric Kulikowski, with Respironics. “The biggest thing is that it allows us to continue to leverage and tap into the large workforce we already have here in Westmoreland County. Our goal was to remain within a ten mile radius so we could retain our employers.”

The project received a $1.79 million financial package from the Pennsyvania Department of Community and Economic Development, which includes an $800,000 opportunity grant and $990,000 in job creation tax credits. Respironics’ expansion in Western Pennsylvania includes capital investments of up to $120 million in land, building and equipment. The company recently opened a facility in Plum Borough and purchased property in Monroeville.

The seventh largest employer in Westmoreland County, Respironics markets products in 141 countries and employs more than 5,100 people worldwide.

Writer: Jennifer Baron
Source: Eric Kulikowski, Respironics

[JackStraw]

I grew up not far from that research park in Upper Burrel. I have a lot of old friends from High school that are employed at Respironics as engineers or tech employees. It does bring a good job base to Westmoreland county.

Ok, but here I go on my anti sprawl and rebirth of cities rant.(for those who may want to hear). It just pisses me off that these companies put all their buildings 7 miles away from the run down town, New Kensington, with tons of brownfields that could be reused. I started my freshmen year of school up near Upper Burrell and there is a good amount of empoyees that work at this tech park. What a waste when you could use this to help revamp New Ken. Sorry, I just hate tech parks, especially when they are 10 miles from unused brownfields and dying towns.

[Johnland]

I grew up not far from that research park in Upper Burrel. I have a lot of old friends from High school that are employed at Respironics as engineers or tech employees. It does bring a good job base to Westmoreland county.

Ok, but here I go on my anti sprawl and rebirth of cities rant.(for those who may want to hear). It just pisses me off that these companies put all their buildings 7 miles away from the run down town, New Kensington, with tons of brownfields that could be reused. I started my freshmen year of school up near Upper Burrell and there is a good amount of empoyees that work at this tech park. What a waste when you could use this to help revamp New Ken. Sorry, I just hate tech parks, especially when they are 10 miles from unused brownfields and dying towns.

JackSraw, don't you apoligize for one minute on your 'rant'. You are 100% right in your convictions that existing urban centers ought to be utilitized first. Damnit..existing cities should be considered first for re-use. This would help to mitigate the unpeakable sprawl into pristine countryside in a state that has only marginal net population growth, yet, continues to eat up rural land for 'new' development at an alarming rate.

[UrbaniDesDev]

I hate our north shore planning. I for one think that Heinz field could have been put in a different location. I compare a lot to Denver since I lived there for a while. They had Invesco about 2 miles from downtown. Why take up valuable space with acres full of parking next to the city center. It could have been built on a brownfield somewhere and had the exact same benefits. You bring 60,000 people down to an area 8 times a year, maybe a couple more times with big concerts. This space could be used for other redevelpoment projects to help bring in more office space, apartments, lofts, and retail on the north shore. I like baseball parks near the city center and PNC was perfect. However it didn't help at all in revitalizing the north shore. If you look at Coors field in Denver, Lodo (lower downtown) was a old run down area. Once Coors field came in everybody wanted to be in Lower Downtown, and now it is trendy and nice.

I still think the Pen's arena will help out more. One since the pens are planning to contribute to redevelopment around the new arena in a hotel, residential buildings, and retail. It seems as if Pittsburgh is trying to capitalize of this project. The one problem with the north shore is they just pretty much took a existing stadium and put in two newer ones not thinking about anything further from that. It seems (as of now) that the redevelopment of uptown will be largely considered in this project.

Well...
by time they finish filling all the land between the stadii, it should be about time for a new one, eh?

[UrbaniDesDev]

Ok, but here I go on my anti sprawl and rebirth of cities rant.(for those who may want to hear). It just pisses me off that these companies put all their buildings 7 miles away from the run down town, New Kensington, with tons of brownfields that could be reused. I started my freshmen year of school up near Upper Burrell and there is a good amount of empoyees that work at this tech park. What a waste when you could use this to help revamp New Ken. Sorry, I just hate tech parks, especially when they are 10 miles from unused brownfields and dying towns.



RANT ON JACKSTRAW!

[UrbaniDesDev]

Some pics I had taken of the North Shore fountain area. I like monitoring the progress of this area. This fountain is a popular spot in the summer heat.

rendering of future office building
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e235/UrbaniDesDev/905115-R1-02-6_003a.jpg

new fountain extension outside of Hyde Park Steaks
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e235/UrbaniDesDev/905115-R1-04-8_005.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e235/UrbaniDesDev/905115-R1-09-13_010.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e235/UrbaniDesDev/905115-R1-05-9_006.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e235/UrbaniDesDev/905115-R1-06-10_007.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e235/UrbaniDesDev/905115-R1-08-12_009.jpg

[tooluther]

Thanks for the picture update. I'm very glad they extended the "canal" up to the street as originally planned. There was a lot of talk that it wasn't going to happen. The fountain and water steps hearken back to the remnants of the PA Canal that were dug up while they were excavating for those buildings IIRC

[Cbautz]

I was just there two days ago.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2397/2068284351_c982964a01_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2298/2069081516_3795099aa3_b.jpg

[cdc]

The following traffic advisory is from the Oakland Transportation Management
Association (OTMA).

NEW FIFTH AVENUE RAMP TO BOULEVARD OF THE ALLIES OPENS TONIGHT IN OAKLAND
Dramatic Improvement to Traffic Mobility

PennDOT District 11 is reminding motorists that the new on-ramp connecting
inbound traffic (westbound toward downtown Pittsburgh) on Fifth Avenue to
the Boulevard of the Allies (Route 885) in the Oakland area of the City of
Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, will open to traffic at approximately 11 p.m.
on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2007. (Note: The ramp will open after traffic leaving
the Pitt basketball game subsides.)

The new ramp creates a dramatic mobility improvement by directly connecting
Fifth Avenue to the Boulevard of the Allies and eliminating the contra-flow
lane currently in use on Forbes Avenue. When the new ramp opens at 11 p.m.
on Nov. 27, the contra-flow lane will be closed permanently and removed. The
new ramp also represents a significant change in Oakland traffic patterns.
Motorists attempting to access the Boulevard previously had to travel in a
single lane on Forbes Avenue. Instead, motorists will now continue inbound
on Fifth Avenue entering a left turn lane crossing the bus lane to enter the
Boulevard of the Allies. PennDOT urges motorists to be prepared for the
change and use caution when traveling through the area.

The work is part of the $29 million project to replace the Route 885
Boulevard of the Allies Bridge that includes the demolition and
reconstruction of the mainline bridge over Forbes Avenue, the replacement of
south and north ramps with new roadway ramps and the elimination of the
contra-flow traffic lane on Forbes Avenue. Construction is expected to be
completed in late 2008.

The Boulevard of the Allies Bridge is scheduled to close for replacement the
evening of January 3, 2008. A public meeting to discuss details of the
closure and detour routes will be held at 11 a.m. on Dec. 12, 2007, in the
Univeristy of Pittsbrugh¹s Alumni Hall in the Connelly Ballroom at 4227
Fifth Avenue.

The prime contractor for the project is the Joseph B. Fay Co. of Russellton,
PA.

For more info and virtual images of the project, visit www.otma-pgh.org.
Visit www.dot.state.pa.us/district11 for more information on PennDOT
District 11.

[PA Pride]

Here is an ad that was in the print edition of the Pittsburgh Business Times earlier this month of the new lifestyle center and office buildings at Southpointe in Washington County. Home of multi-billion dollar corporations: Mylan Laboratories, Consol Energy (Currenty building a new corporate HQ building shaped like a "C") and many other fast growing companies:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/austindaniel/southpointe002.jpg

[PA Pride]

In case anyone is curious about Southpointe, here are a couple of the exisisting office buildings there:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/austindaniel/crownbuilding.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/austindaniel/solutionsconsultingcobuilding.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/austindaniel/stealthbuilding2.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/austindaniel/sw.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/austindaniel/stealthcenter.jpg

[chiaroscuro]

About 3 PNC....wasn't it supposed to be completed by Summer 2008? Is it still on schedule?

What about Piatt Place? I'm guessing it's nearing the final stages.

Has RiverParc even broken ground on Cultural District Phase I yet?

[JackStraw]

About 3 PNC....wasn't it supposed to be completed by Summer 2008? Is it still on schedule?

What about Piatt Place? I'm guessing it's nearing the final stages.

Has RiverParc even broken ground on Cultural District Phase I yet?

I was going to ask about the same thing. I was wondering if there was anyway to obtain a construction schedule of 3 PNC online or anywhere. I can't find it by googling it.

[AaronPGH]

The one I'm most worried about is RiverParc. It was supposed to break ground "late 2007". I emailed the cultural trust trying to dig up information on it and all I got back was a vague email along the lines of "I hope to have more information on the rescheduled groundbreaking in the coming months. Thanks for your interest."

RiverParc is easily the most important project downtown. It's also the biggest modification to the skyline that Pittsburgh will probably have for a while.

[EventHorizon]

I echo your sentiments about RiverParc. It will be such a jewel for the Golden Triangle. I hope the full vision becomes reality - and starts soon. Here's an article about the Opera moving from its current location in preparation for beginning the first phase of the project. So, thankfully, it looks as if it's still a go. The Opera's lease on the building expires in March 2008... so that might be roughly when things start to move.
Opera Move (http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/living/arts/opera/s_499095.html)

[UrbaniDesDev]

As far as Riverparc, at this point I would be happy to see a sign at each corner at least announcing it's commencement.


That first building shown at Southpoint is a very handsome building... it should be on the North Shore tho
:o

[Wheelingman04]

That Southpointe project looks interesting.

[tooluther]

Third Quarter Downtown Residential Market Report...

http://www.downtownpittsburgh.com/cms/assets/documents/3q07%20res%20final.pdf

[asher519]

This article about the upcoming birthday festivities was posted on CNN a few hours ago:

http://www.cnn.com/2007/TRAVEL/getaways/11/27/trip.pittsburgh.ap/index.html

I'm looking forward to my next visit :D

[PA Pride]

Third Quarter Downtown Residential Market Report...

http://www.downtownpittsburgh.com/cms/assets/documents/3q07%20res%20final.pdf

Good find Tooluther. I read that report with a finetooth comb like I was reading a legal document! It is very interesting. I guess i am a stat geek....


Also: I echo the sentiments that RiverParc is awesome and it better happen. Cause i am seriously considering living there if the floorplans are to my liking.

[hyperion1110]

If all else fails and no information is forthcoming about RiverParc, there is this interesting display at the Carnegie Museum of Art set to debut on February 23rd. Check it out:

http://www.cmoa.org/exhibitions/upcoming.asp#void

I don't suppose they would invite the architects to display their work, most notably the design of RiverParc, if the project has fallen through.

[JackStraw]

If all else fails and no information is forthcoming about RiverParc, there is this interesting display at the Carnegie Museum of Art set to debut on February 23rd. Check it out:

http://www.cmoa.org/exhibitions/upcoming.asp#void

I don't suppose they would invite the architects to display their work, most notably the design of RiverParc, if the project has fallen through.

Cool, thank you for the link. I am going to make sure to go check that out.

[Evergrey]

as some of you may know... the Hot Metal pedestrian bridge finally opened a few days ago... it connects Oakland/Tech Park to the South Side Works across the Monongahela River. Here is the portion crossing 2nd Ave. and connecting to a trail system:

http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/89750192.jpg

looking towards American Eagle's new HQ at SouthSide Works... vehicular portion of bridge at left
http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/89750194.jpg

cranes at the Bridgeside Point II site... 160,000 sq. ft. wet lab building
http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/89750195.jpg

view from the bridge
http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/89750212.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/89750215.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/89751932.jpg

I believe this is the 13-story SSW hotel u/c
http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/89751940.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/89751952.jpg

I noticed this row of houses going up on the slopes
http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/89751969.jpg

nighttime view from bridge
http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/89754380.jpg

in other news... the 31st St. Bridge finally opened a few days ago... connecting Troy Hill and Washington's Landing to the Strip District across the Allegheny River
http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/89754401.jpg

view from bridge
http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/89754402.jpg

[EventHorizon]

Sweet pics EG!


I find the bridge very elegant!
http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/89750215.jpg

[PA Pride]

As soon as i saw this picture, Evergrey (which is awesome, by the way), I knew I had to crop it to zone in on the architectural interest:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/austindaniel/metalbridge.jpg

[UrbaniDesDev]

!

[UrbaniDesDev]

Great pics eg.
Im surprised how nice the 31st St Bridge looks. It seems they used historic lighting. A before and after of that bridge would be great. It was hell before. I hope they have those great deco piers lit well and prominently. I'll have to check it out.
South Side's looking great!

[Black-n-Gold]

I believe this is the 13-story SSW hotel u/c
http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/89751940.jpg

That is Quantum III which is additional office space for American Eagle. The hotel will be farther west on the site - opposite the Hoffbrauhaus on the river landing.

[Evergrey]

http://pittsburgh.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2007/11/26/daily42.html?surround=lfn

Friday, November 30, 2007

Financing in place for East Liberty mixed-use project

Pittsburgh Business Times - by Tim Schooley

Financing has fallen into place to redevelop a key gateway site of East Liberty's business district that was formerly occupied by a blighted high-rise that straddled Penn Avenue.

The Community Builders Inc., a national nonprofit housing development firm, announced it is pushing forward on a $11.7 million mixed-use, mixed-income building at 5801 Penn Avenue where the 17-story East Mall apartment building was demolished in 2006.

Community Builders expects to break ground next spring.

Called 5801 Penn Avenue, the initial project will be developed on the north side of Penn Avenue and consist of a four-story building that will feature 54 one- and two-bedroom apartments above 11,000 square feet of street-level retail.

Planned for certification under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program of the U.S. Green Building Council, 5801 Penn Avenue will be built by Sota Construction, with Strada Architecture LLC designing the project.

To pursue the project, Community Builders received financing from the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA), the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, as well as through private equity and loans.

The development will be the fourth in East Liberty for the Community Builders, which has been working to revitalize the neighborhood's residential community by redeveloping failed public housing facilities of the past into new, mixed-income housing. The Community Builders has already developed New Pennley Place and the recently completed Penn Manor Apartments only a short walk from the 5801 Penn site.

"With each new development we undertake in East Liberty, TCB also seeks to attract new market rate renters as well as to replace run-down housing with first-rate replacement housing for lower income households," said Tamara Dudukovich, The Community Builder's Director of Development for the Mid-Atlantic Region, based in Pittsburgh. "We do this with quality buildings that have rent structuring to accommodate a healthy, broad mix of resident household incomes."

The Community Builders continues to plan and work toward the redevelopment of the East Mall site to the South of Penn Avenue as well, 5800 Penn Avenue, with tentative plans calling for 74 apartments or condominiums above 24,000 square feet of retail.

tschooley@bizjournals.com | (412) 208-3826



All contents of this site © American City Business Journals Inc. All rights reserved.

[tooluther]

Those cranes at the Technology park aren't Bridgeside II (although its ground breaking was today!) I believe its dirt moving for the new parking garage

[Johnland]

Those cranes at the Technology park aren't Bridgeside II (although its ground breaking was today!) I believe its dirt moving for the new parking garage

Wonderful. Another parking garage. Pittsburgh's new iconic structure.

[hyperion1110]

I don't want to hear anyone complain ever again about UPMC not pulling its weight in this city...

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_541192.html

UPMC's promise: $100M for grads

By Bill Zlatos
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, December 5, 2007


The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center will announce today a promise to donate $100 million over 10 years for a plan to help graduates of city schools go to college.
Introduced last year, the tuition assistance plan called The Pittsburgh Promise had attracted only a $10,000 gift from the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers before UPMC's commitment.

"This is potentially a historic occasion for the city of Pittsburgh," said city schools Superintendent Mark Roosevelt. "The only way we'll get Pittsburgh back to the glory days is by dreaming big and working hard."

Roosevelt said The Pittsburgh Promise could slow the population decline in the city and the district. Pittsburgh is expected to lose 60,000 people over a decade, and Pittsburgh Public Schools has lost 1,180 students over the past year.

UPMC, which posted profits of $618 million last year, is giving $10 million in scholarships for 2008 graduates and $90 million over nine years as part of a challenge grant to create an endowment of $250 million.
The endowment would provide $15 million a year in scholarships for the district's 2,000 high school seniors, Roosevelt said.

The initial class would get up to $5,000 a year for four years of tuition if that bill is not covered by state or federal aid or money from the college. Graduates whose tuition already is covered could get as much as $1,000 from The Promise.

To get the money, next year's graduating seniors would have to maintain a C average. The following year, seniors would have to have a C-plus average and meet attendance standards. And the scholarships would be limited to attendance at 65 public schools in the state and 31 private schools in the region.

"If you go to school near Pittsburgh, you're more likely to return to Pittsburgh," Roosevelt said.

The scholarship money from The Promise could increase to $10,000 a year in 2012 if students pass a high school graduation exam the state might initiate. Roosevelt said he would like the district to begin the exam in 10th grade if the state does not require it first.

Students who fail the exam but get a high school diploma could still get $5,000 for tuition.

UPMC's money would go to The Pittsburgh Foundation, which would run The Promise as a supporting organization with its own seven-member board.

When fully funded, The Promise would increase the foundation's total assets to $1 billion, said Richard W. Reed, executive vice president of the foundation. In running The Promise, he said the foundation will waive its usual fee.

"A normal fee would be over a million dollars a year," Reed said.

Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said he and Roosevelt approached UPMC about six months ago to fund The Pittsburgh Promise. Those talks produced a "gentleman's agreement" three months ago that evolved into today's announcement.

"We had to prove to them why they should put a significant amount of funding behind a program like this. Fortunately, myself, the superintendent and the folks at UPMC were able to develop a relationship, which I think is critical in terms of trying to get deals like this done," Ravenstahl said.

He said the program will attract families to move into the city and stop some families from moving out.

Ravenstahl said UPMC won't get anything in return from the city for making the donation. He acknowledged failing to have the program running in time for this year's class of students, as he promised in December 2006.



Bill Zlatos can be reached at bzlatos@tribweb.com or 412-320-7828.

[hyperion1110]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07339/839164-85.stm

North Shore casino groundbreaking next week

Barring further delays, slots parlor should be ready to open in April 2009
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
By Mark Belko, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Nearly one full year after the license was awarded, construction of Pittsburgh's only slot machine casino finally will get rolling.

Don Barden intends to break ground on his $450 million riverfront casino just west of the Carnegie Science Center at 10 a.m. Tuesday. A host of dignitaries have been invited to participate, including Gov. Ed Rendell, Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato and Mary DiGiacomo Colins, chairwoman of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, which awarded Mr. Barden the casino license.

It's been quite a year for Mr. Barden, a Detroit businessman who overcame long odds to win the rights to the Pittsburgh license last Dec. 20, beating out two bigger and better known competitors.

Since then, he has experienced lengthy delays in getting the project off dead center, including appeals by the two losing slots bidders challenging the state award, a fight against the Pirates and Steelers over traffic issues, and controversy over the size and look of a 3,800-space parking garage to be built behind the casino.

The latter issue wasn't resolved until last month, with Mr. Barden reaching agreement with the mayor and Mr. Onorato to install decorative screening on the south face of the garage, facing the Ohio River.

"Certainly this has been a very long and challenging process to get to this point, but as Mr. Barden said, it is now full steam ahead with construction," casino spokesman Bob Oltmanns said.

Construction is expected to take 16 months, meaning the casino, barring further delays, should be ready to open in April 2009. At one point, Mr. Barden had hoped to open by March 2008.

Mr. Oltmanns said asbestos remediation has started on two old buildings on the 17-acre site where the casino will be built. PITG Gaming LLC, Mr. Barden's company, recently purchased the property for $22.37 million, according to the county's real estate Web site. Crews now are moving equipment onto the site in anticipation of construction.

"[Mr. Barden] wants to have the ceremony and then start work," Mr. Oltmanns said.

Tuesday's groundbreaking will take place hours before a public hearing before the city planning commission on the design of the steel and glass casino and the massive parking garage that will sit directly behind it.

While Mr. Ravenstahl, who appoints commission members, and Mr. Onorato have reached agreement with Mr. Barden on the casino garage, others still have reservations.

After a briefing last week, Lisa Schroeder, Riverlife Task Force executive director, said the agency still has concerns about a garage "that overwhelms the site and presents itself to the river as the dominant land use."

She and others fear the garage, which is nearly twice the height of the casino, could affect views of the city skyline from Mount Washington, the West End, the Fort Pitt Bridge and the Ohio River.

While the casino still needs to get approval from the planning commission on the design, it already has the right to begin foundation and steel work.

The casino will open with 3,000 slot machines and eventually expand to 5,000. The two-story complex also will feature a riverfront promenade, restaurants, four bars and a multiuse ballroom with separate meeting facilities.

Mark Belko can be reached at mbelko@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1262.

[AaronPGH]

That UPMC thing is fucking incredible! Way to go!

[hyperion1110]

:previous: Couldn't have said it better myself!

In other news...

http://www.popcitymedia.com/developmentnews/tech1205.aspx

http://www.popcitymedia.com/galleries/Default/Dev%20News/Issue%2089/bridgepointe_300.jpg

$65M Bridgeside Point II project to create 150,000 sf of wet-lab space, up to 400 jobs
Ground was broken yesterday for Bridgeside Point II, a new $65 million research facility at The Pittsburgh Technology Center in Hazelwood.

Located at 450 Technology Dr. next to the University of Pittsburgh Biotech Center, the 150,000 square-foot development will house wet lab facilities and offices. The project is being developed by Cleveland-based Ferchill Group, whose proposal for the five-story building was approved by the URA board in February. The specialized lab facility is expected to create up to 400 jobs.

To support the project, the URA is investing $19 million in infrastructure work, including a new 750-space parking garage, roadway improvements and utility placement. Future plans for the technology center may call for mixed-use and hotel developments. Project architect is Downtown-based Strada; contractor is Turner Construction Company, who also built Bridgeside Point I, a 153,000 square-foot lab facility at The Pittsburgh Technology Center. Fully leased, the property serves as Cellomics’ headquarters.

Prompted by the success of Bridgeside Point I, Bridgeside Point II is expected to meet the needs of local universities and medical centers who have identified a need for additional laboratory space. The Ferchill Group feels that the demand for quality lab space in locations near Pittsburgh’s academic and medical institutions will result in more than one-million square feet over the next three to five years. Ferchill, who also developed the Cellomics building and Heinz Lofts, has the option to build an adjacent, 120,000 square-foot facility once Bridgeside Point II is 50% leased.

Construction on Bridgeside Point II is slated to take 15 months.


Writer: Jennifer Baron
Source: Joanna Doven, Office of the Mayor, City of Pittsburgh

Image Courtesy of The Ferchill Group/Strada

[hyperion1110]

http://www.popcitymedia.com/developmentnews/tcb1205.aspx

$11.7M mixed-use project receives funding, moves forward at 5801 Penn Avenue

http://www.popcitymedia.com/galleries/Default/Dev%20News/Issue%2089/eastliberty_300.jpg

East Liberty will soon welcome its fourth major redevelopment project spearheaded by The Community Builders, Inc. (TCB). Funding is in place to start construction on 5801 Penn Avenue, a $11.7 million mixed-use, mixed-income project that will house 54 one- and two-bedroom apartments and 11,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space.

Situated at the western gateway of Penn Avenue's business district, the four-story residential and commercial building will seek LEED certification. Project architect Strada and contractor Sota Construction Services are known for their expertise in sustainable design and construction.

TCB, who oversaw the development of New Pennley Place, Pennley Commons, and Penn Manor, was selected by the URA to redevelop the former East Mall Apartments site as part of neighborhood-wide revitalization efforts. Financing for 5801 Penn is provided by loans from the URA, PHFA, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, and private equity. Construction will begin in late spring 2008; the project will be completed during fall 2009.

"We're looking for neighborhood based businesses and retailing, maybe a regional restaurant/brew pub and health club. The neighborhood is still a bit underserved for people walking," says Jim Eby with TCB. Next up for TCB is design planning and financial packaging for 5800 Penn, the project's south site. Plans call for 74 apartments and/or condos above 24,000 square feet of commercial space. "We've been encouraged to think bigger. It could be 100 dwellings and a bigger commercial component. So much has happened so fast in East Liberty."

Writer: Jennifer Baron
Source: Jim Eby, TCB

[hyperion1110]

Go us!

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/12/04/walkable.communities.ap/index.html

WALKABILITY RANKINGS

1. Washington
2. Boston, Massachusetts
3. San Francisco, California
4. Denver, Colorado
5. Portland, Oregon
6. Seattle, Washington
7. Chicago, Illinois
8. Miami, Florida
9. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
10. New York
11. San Diego, California
12. Los Angeles, California
13. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
14. Atlanta, Georgia
15. Baltimore, Maryland
16. St. Louis, Missouri
17. Minneapolis, Minnesota
18. Detroit, Michigan
19. Columbus, Ohio
20. Las Vegas, Nevada
21. Houston, Texas
22. San Antonio, Texas
23. Kansas City, Missouri
24. Orlando, Florida
25. Dallas, Texas
26. Phoenix, Arizona
27. Sacramento, California
28. Cincinnati, Ohio
29. Cleveland, Ohio
30. Tampa, Florida

Source: Brookings Institution

[Evergrey]

I don't want to hear anyone complain ever again about UPMC not pulling its weight in this city...


you were right... you were right... :shuffle:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/images/200712/20071206pppittsburgh_promise_500.jpg

[PA Pride]

That crayon-esque drawing of Bridgeside II looks so plain and unimpressive compared to the awesome Bridgepoint I; I hope that is just a shitty drawing and it turns out better (which is what I think will happen).


This quote from that article is staggering and wonderful at the same time:

The Ferchill Group feels that the demand for quality lab space in locations near Pittsburgh’s academic and medical institutions will result in more than one-million square feet over the next three to five years.


The Pittsburgh Technology Center is gonna be an amazing site to behold and a crown jewel for Pittsburgh when it is fully built out. It's exciting!

[hyperion1110]

you were right... you were right... :shuffle:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/images/200712/20071206pppittsburgh_promise_500.jpg

Haha...but I could have easily been wrong. I'm just glad they're putting that operational excess, or whatever they call their profits, to good use.

[PittPenn 03]

That UPMC thing is fucking incredible! Way to go!

Yes, it is really just starting to register in my mind the impact it could have on the city. I would love to see a revival of some of the forgotten, more residential neighborhoods such as Carrick, Overbrook, Brookline, BonAir, Stanton Heights, etc. which is where I would think the biggest impact will be since they are more suburban in nature. This could be the medicine that spreads the renaisance nearly citywide. The tax coffers could start filling up and igniting a reinforcing cycle of prosperity in the city for decades to come! Okay, I can dream can't I?!

[Evergrey]

this is random... but here's a neat little photo from that brief period back in 2001 when the North Shore had three stadia

http://www.digitalhorsewoman.com/images/TheNightBeforeImplosion.jpg

[xyagentguy]

Yes, it is really just starting to register in my mind the impact it could have on the city. I would love to see a revival of some of the forgotten, more residential neighborhoods such as Carrick, Overbrook, Brookline, BonAir, Stanton Heights, etc. which is where I would think the biggest impact will be since they are more suburban in nature. This could be the medicine that spreads the renaisance nearly citywide. The tax coffers could start filling up and igniting a reinforcing cycle of prosperity in the city for decades to come! Okay, I can dream can't I?!
I actually believe that's one dream that could become reality if we don't squander. I mean, think about the impact it will have on the local institutes of learning. Enrollment could theoretically increase across the board and usher in a new cycle of revenue and viability to update school facilities and amenities and thus, hopefully, entice more out-of-state folks to come here for school and settle down. I mean, the ripple effect could be incredible. It really is fantastic news.

I also think it is wonderful that private, parochial, and non-traditional institutes are eligible for the students such as Carnegie Mellon, Duquesne, Chatham, La Roche, Point Park, Art Institute and Carlow to name a few!!

[PA Pride]

Quote:
Yes, it is really just starting to register in my mind the impact it could have on the city. I would love to see a revival of some of the forgotten, more residential neighborhoods such as Carrick, Overbrook, Brookline, BonAir, Stanton Heights, etc. which is where I would think the biggest impact will be since they are more suburban in nature. This could be the medicine that spreads the renaisance nearly citywide. The tax coffers could start filling up and igniting a reinforcing cycle of prosperity in the city for decades to come! Okay, I can dream can't I?!

I actually believe that's one dream that could become reality if we don't squander. I mean, think about the impact it will have on the local institutes of learning. Enrollment could theoretically increase across the board and usher in a new cycle of revenue and viability to update school facilities and amenities and thus, hopefully, entice more out-of-state folks to come here for school and settle down. I mean, the ripple effect could be incredible. It really is fantastic news.

I also think it is wonderful that private, parochial, and non-traditional institutes are eligible for the students such as Carnegie Mellon, Duquesne, Chatham, La Roche, Point Park, Art Institute and Carlow to name a few!!



I agree with you two guys: This could, and hopefully will, turn out to be HUGE for the city.

[Evergrey]

a family enjoying the Hot Metal Pedestrian Bridge... i's cool how the south portal of the bridge opens up to the giant American Eagle logo
http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/89750196.jpg

Hot Metal Street
http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/89751935.jpg

REI
http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/89751957.jpg

the bridge
http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/89754396.jpg

[Wheelingman04]

^ Great photos.:)

[UrbaniDesDev]

Third Quarter Downtown Residential Market Report...

http://www.downtownpittsburgh.com/cms/assets/documents/3q07%20res%20final.pdf


I think the most reveiling info is the fact, as stated, is that the market has shown a solid absorption, even with Armstrong Cork. This is great news and shows that there is no saturation in the near future... so let the building continue

[UrbaniDesDev]

[QUOTE=hyperion1110;3208894]http://www.popcitymedia.com/developmentnews/tcb1205.aspx

$11.7M mixed-use project receives funding, moves forward at 5801 Penn Avenue

http://www.popcitymedia.com/galleries/Default/Dev%20News/Issue%2089/eastliberty_300.jpg

This is great news. I was worried about what they might do there. Im relieved to see that there will be commercial on the ground floor. I think it is important to relink the Penn Avenue of Friendship with the Penn Avenue of East Liberty

[PittPenn 03]

http://www.bizjournals.com/edit_special/60.html#l

The way this article is layed out, I do not have time to pull it together to post. An interesting tidbit is that we were ranked #2 in shopping, which I am sure would send the forum into a tizzy. I think it is shopping availability per person though.

[Evergrey]

http://www.bizjournals.com/edit_special/60.html#l

The way this article is layed out, I do not have time to pull it together to post. An interesting tidbit is that we were ranked #2 in shopping, which I am sure would send the forum into a tizzy. I think it is shopping availability per person though.

awesome... and Atlanta ranks 40th! :haha: I love how the study keeps mentioning how Pittsburgh doesn't have a "glittering reputation" etc etc... well maybe if we keep ranking at or near the top of all these lists (livability, walkability, city of the future, on and on and on) we'll begin to develop the reputation that surrounds glamour cities like Seattle and St. Paul. ;)

anyways... here's another list where Pittsburgh ranks near the top... and it's a lot less abstract...

the City of Pittsburgh (not metro) ranks 2nd amongst the 60 largest cities for % of commuters who walk to work at 12.4%, only behind Boston. This is according to Census 2007 figures. This represents a 2.4% increase in our walking cohort over 2000.

http://bike-pgh.org/news/blog/2007/10/01/commuting-trends-in-pittsburgh-how-do-we-rank/#more-637

1. Boston 13.9%
2. Pittsburgh 12.4%
3. Washington 11.8%
4. New York 9.9%
5. San Francisco 9.6%
6. Seattle 8.4%
7. Baltimore 8%
8. Philadelphia 8%
9. Minneapolis 7.1%
10. Cincinnati 6.8%

Pittsburgh ranks 7th for Public Transit (21.1%), 7th lowest for Driving Alone (53.1%), 8th for car-free households (14.7%) and 18th for Bicycle commuting (0.8%). Bicycle commuting is pretty insignificant everywhere outside of Portland, however.

The only bad thing for Pittsburgh in these rankings is that it's about to fall off the Top 60 list as it continues to get passed up by the suburbs of Phoenix, Dallas, Denver, etc. :haha:

[PittPenn 03]

awesome... and Atlanta ranks 40th! :haha: I love how the study keeps mentioning how Pittsburgh doesn't have a "glittering reputation" etc etc... well maybe if we keep ranking at or near the top of all these lists (livability, walkability, city of the future, on and on and on) we'll begin to develop the reputation that surrounds glamour cities like Seattle and St. Paul. ;)

:

You know that ranking of the forbidden topic on this forum greatly warms my heart.

I believe the walk to work rankings. I always walked to work when I worked in Oakland as did a lot of East Enders who worked in Oakland. Sq Hill was a stretch, but I did it often even when I lived there.

Hopefully the media will pick-up on these rankings and all good rankings we might get to hopefully one day turn Pittsburgher's self loathing around.

[PittPenn 03]

Just got my Business Times and one of the articles is about RiverParc being delayed until "at least the middle of next year" due to the "fallout from the subprime mortgage crisis and deteriorating capital markets".

The longer this is delayed I feel makes it less and less likely we will see it happen, at least at the scale it was originally proposed.

In good news (even though the organization turns my stomach), we landed the 2011 NRA convention.

[Evergrey]

Just got my Business Times and one of the articles is about RiverParc being delayed until "at least the middle of next year" due to the "fallout from the subprime mortgage crisis and deteriorating capital markets".

The longer this is delayed I feel makes it less and less likely we will see it happen, at least at the scale it was originally proposed.
.

yeah... i figured that was gonna happen... we always seem to have the timing wrong

[JackStraw]

awesome... and Atlanta ranks 40th! :haha: I love how the study keeps mentioning how Pittsburgh doesn't have a "glittering reputation" etc etc... well maybe if we keep ranking at or near the top of all these lists (livability, walkability, city of the future, on and on and on) we'll begin to develop the reputation that surrounds glamour cities like Seattle and St. Paul. ;)

anyways... here's another list where Pittsburgh ranks near the top... and it's a lot less abstract...

the City of Pittsburgh (not metro) ranks 2nd amongst the 60 largest cities for % of commuters who walk to work at 12.4%, only behind Boston. This is according to Census 2007 figures. This represents a 2.4% increase in our walking cohort over 2000.

http://bike-pgh.org/news/blog/2007/10/01/commuting-trends-in-pittsburgh-how-do-we-rank/#more-637

1. Boston 13.9%
2. Pittsburgh 12.4%
3. Washington 11.8%
4. New York 9.9%
5. San Francisco 9.6%
6. Seattle 8.4%
7. Baltimore 8%
8. Philadelphia 8%
9. Minneapolis 7.1%
10. Cincinnati 6.8%

Pittsburgh ranks 7th for Public Transit (21.1%), 7th lowest for Driving Alone (53.1%), 8th for car-free households (14.7%) and 18th for Bicycle commuting (0.8%). Bicycle commuting is pretty insignificant everywhere outside of Portland, however.

The only bad thing for Pittsburgh in these rankings is that it's about to fall off the Top 60 list as it continues to get passed up by the suburbs of Phoenix, Dallas, Denver, etc. :haha:


Lol, I always notice how those suburbs are creeping up on our city's population. I use to live in Denver. Lets just say this, If you left the city border of Pittsburgh just like you do in Denver and drove to the airport. Everything between Pittsburgh to Moon Twp. would be considered Aurora in Denver. Not only from your Travels east to west but 25 miles from the north to south of that rectangle would also be accounted for.

[Evergrey]

UrbaniDesDev: the front page is looking awesome! Way to go! :)

[xyagentguy]

UrbaniDesDev: the front page is looking awesome! Way to go!
My god, it sure does!!!!! Well done!!!!! I get so excited just reading down the list. It's amazing to think that is actually all happening or will be happening soon!! I will be VERY bitterly disappointed if RiverParc doesn't happen, though. So many people are looking forward to it. I would consider buying a unit there in a second.

[UrbaniDesDev]

Thanks for noticing. Im trying to keep up.

As far as River parc... this is only too typical and not to be disheartening. Large scale development only means large scale delays. This will only reflect better the market when it is finally completed. It is always a fluid process till the finals are on paper

[themaguffin]

I think we all new with the way the national economy is going, in particular (and due to) the housing market... we had to realize that it would not go on schedule (at the least).

[Johnland]

Just got my Business Times and one of the articles is about RiverParc being delayed until "at least the middle of next year" due to the "fallout from the subprime mortgage crisis and deteriorating capital markets".

The longer this is delayed I feel makes it less and less likely we will see it happen, at least at the scale it was originally proposed.

In good news (even though the organization turns my stomach), we landed the 2011 NRA convention.

I hope this project is realized as planned. The dense scale is what really makes it great.

[Evergrey]

Is RiverParc the project planned by the Cultural Trust to infill the blocks along the Allegheny?

yes

http://www.post-gazette.com/images4/20060820cultural_district.gif

[Johnland]

yes

http://www.post-gazette.com/images4/20060820cultural_district.gif

One thing about Pittsburgh that I've never quite gotten the story behind in the 'missing' Eigth St. In the RiverParc rendering, it slmost looks as if there could've been an Eigth St represented by what looks like an alley today running from Penn to Liberty (no name on the rendering). But somehwere along the line, if there was a street running from Penn to the river, it was perhaps built over.

[xyagentguy]

I think we all new with the way the national economy is going, in particular (and due to) the housing market... we had to realize that it would not go on schedule (at the least).
As far as River parc... this is only too typical and not to be disheartening. Large scale development only means large scale delays. This will only reflect better the market when it is finally completed. It is always a fluid process till the finals are on paper
True!! I am perfectly okay with accepting "delay." I realize it all has to do with the market, etc. I just hope it's not scrapped or that it's downscaled to the point of no longer being impressive.

[tooluther]

There is an Eight St. that runs from Ft. Duq. to Penn. But it turns into an alley on the other side.

[Grego43]

Don't despair over RiverParc delays (at least not yet). The whole plan reminds me a lot of Battery Park City in NY, or Illinois Center in Chicago...though on a smaller scale. The residential component of each of those huge projects had their fair share of fits and starts. Construction started on BPC's first residential building in 1980, years after the land was reclaimed using fill dumped into the Hudson from construction of the WTC...Residential construction continues to this day.

It is best to build in relation to the market's near-future ability to absorb that construction. Living in South Florida as I do, I can say firsthand that nothing will depress a housing market like a glut of inventory. There are actually tens of thousands of built units on the market, sitting empty, decreasing in value. And this is in a metropolitan area that continues to experience crazy population gains.

That said, RiverParc is an amazing plan and shows great vision.

[bucks native]

This was in Scranton's paper, sorry if you guys have it posted already, I only looked back a couple of pages in your thread:



New ideas seek to return identity to old Allegheny city

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- A century ago, the city of Allegheny merged with the city of Pittsburgh.

Allegheny, a city of 145,000 people, lay north of the Allegheny River and was Pennsylvania's third largest city. Many Alleghenians mourned when the city, now known as the North Side, merged with Pittsburgh.

But now, there are plans to save as many of the area's Victorian buildings as possible, and for a new Carnegie Library branch. The 84-acre Allegheny Commons Park is in the midst of a more than $16 million plan to return its fountains, reline its promenades with trees and build a new boathouse on Lake Elizabeth.

David McMunn, a board member of several North Side preservation groups, said even if one doesn't know Allegheny's history "you can't help but get the feeling something profound happened here."

For a time in the late 1800s, Allegheny was home to more millionaires per capita than any city in the world, and many of the homes on its "millionaire's row" remain on Ridge Avenue. It was home to Western Pennsylvania University, a forerunner of the University of Pittsburgh, the original Phipps Conservatory, a Carnegie Music Hall and Library and theaters.

Pittsburgh, which had been annexing other areas, had twice sought to annex Allegheny before 1907.

Though many Allegheny residents opposed a merger, the state changed the law to allow the count of combined votes to determine the majority. Pittsburgh, which was three times larger, voted almost unanimously in favor, Allegheny 2-1 against.

With the merger, Pittsburgh became the country's fifth largest city, with more room to grow industrially and a new source of tax revenue.

Even today, many North Siders still don't feel the area fits comfortably in Pittsburgh's weave of neighborhoods.

"We're just different over here," said Mike Coleman, president of the Allegheny City Society. "When we moved here, we were amazed at how much like a village it is, apart from the rest of the city."

"I think a lot of folks felt like we were a stepchild," said former city councilwoman Barbara Burns. "The sentiment is that we've always been an afterthought and a dumping ground."

---

On the Net:

Allegheny City Society: http://www.alleghenycity.org

---

[bucks native]

And this was in The Philadelphia Business Journal:

The Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse Relocates Therapeutics Company to Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH, Dec. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse (PLSG), the organization providing capital investments and customized company formation and business growth services to the region's life sciences enterprises, announced that the PLSG has helped Cognition Therapeutics, Inc. (Cognition) make the decision to relocate to southwestern Pennsylvania and has invested $200,000 in the Company. In addition, the PLSG has assisted Cognition in establishing regional operations and has provided connections to additional capital and equipment sources. The Cognition team is occupying office space in the PLSG Incubator and laboratory space on the South Side.

Cognition is an early-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of small molecule therapeutics targeting the toxic proteins that cause the cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's disease and other degenerative diseases of the human brain.

"We are thrilled to welcome Cognition to southwestern Pennsylvania and to our investment portfolio," said John W. Manzetti, PLSG President & CEO. "Cognition is the 10th company that the PLSG has helped relocate to the region. In addition to our efforts to grow companies from regional sources, it is essential that we also import companies and technologies to the region that will increase the commercialization of innovative healthcare solutions which can have global impact and multiple market applications." Mr. Manzetti continued, "Cognition's development of novel therapies for neurodegenerative diseases has the potential to address the global epidemic of Alzheimer's disease. Even small delays in Alzheimer's onset and progression can significantly reduce the disease's devastation." Mr. Manzetti added, "we look forward to helping build Cognition into a successful regional life sciences company."

"Pittsburgh is a perfect location for Cognition," said Tony Giordano, CEO of Cognition. "The region's strong life sciences research infrastructure, clinical prowess and the PLSG's community of life sciences entrepreneurs will help us gain access to the resources necessary to expedite the development of our technology platforms."

"We are very excited to be establishing our drug discovery operations here. Pittsburgh's neuroscience research community is recognized for its leadership within the field, and this will allow us to staff our company with world-class neurobiologists," said Dr. Franz Hefti, Chairman of Cognition's Board of Directors.

About the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse (PLSG)

The PLSG invests in and supports the growth of biosciences companies in southwestern Pennsylvania. The PLSG has investment and business growth programs to increase the linkage between research, technology and commercialization; nurture and develop entrepreneurial biosciences enterprises; grow the region's talent pool in the life sciences; and help biosciences firms locate, expand or start-up in the Greater Pittsburgh region. www.plsg.com

SOURCE Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse

[chucka]

Build a better casino garage: Don't put a barnacle on our riverfront (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07343/840083-109.stm)

The change in design:

http://www.riverlifetaskforce.org/wp-content/uploads/images/master-development-plan-1.jpg
Master Development Plan image, December 2006

http://www.riverlifetaskforce.org/wp-content/uploads/images/project-development-plan-july-2007-2.jpg
Project Development Plan image, July 2007

[EventHorizon]

Build a better casino garage: Don't put a barnacle on our riverfront (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07343/840083-109.stm)

The change in design:

http://www.riverlifetaskforce.org/wp-content/uploads/images/master-development-plan-1.jpg
Master Development Plan image, December 2006

http://www.riverlifetaskforce.org/wp-content/uploads/images/project-development-plan-july-2007-2.jpg
Project Development Plan image, July 2007

Thanks for that link, Chucka. It's important to get the word out that the final design hasn't been approved yet -- and that it can still change. Thankfully, the public hearing was rescheduled!

[EventHorizon]

...

Architects ask delay in casino groundbreaking

Monday, December 10, 2007
By Mark Belko, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

http://postgazette.com/pg/07344/840628-100.stm

A group of architects and design experts urged Mayor Luke Ravenstahl today to postpone tomorrow morning's groundbreaking on the $450 million North Shore casino until concerns are addressed about a huge 3,800-space parking garage to be built behind it.

In a hand-delivered letter, the Pittsburgh Civic Design Coalition urged Mr. Ravenstahl to "take the leadership in rectifying the deficient public process" on the design by postponing the groundbreaking and scheduling a public meeting with casino owner Don Barden to discuss issues relating to the garage.

It also wants Mr. Ravenstahl to alter the schedule for the Jan. 14 city planning commission public hearing and vote on the casino design. The coalition wants the vote delayed until a subsequent meeting to give the commission "adequate time to consider testimony" from the public.

"We know you value Pittsburgh's riverfronts and the distinction that our architecture and skyline bring to our region. Please address the implication of inferior design of the North Shore casino before it's a concrete blight on our iconic vista," the group wrote.

Mr. Barden is scheduled to break ground at the casino site on the waterfront just west of the Carnegie Science Center at 10 a.m. tomorrow, nearly one year after he won the Pittsburgh slot machine license. The parking garage to be built behind it is nearly twice as tall as the casino itself, leading some to worry that it could detract from views of the city skyline.

[xyagentguy]

He refused the delay. It will go on as planned.

[Johnland]

...

Architects ask delay in casino groundbreaking

Monday, December 10, 2007
By Mark Belko, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

http://postgazette.com/pg/07344/840628-100.stm

A group of architects and design experts urged Mayor Luke Ravenstahl today to postpone tomorrow morning's groundbreaking on the $450 million North Shore casino until concerns are addressed about a huge 3,800-space parking garage to be built behind it.

In a hand-delivered letter, the Pittsburgh Civic Design Coalition urged Mr. Ravenstahl to "take the leadership in rectifying the deficient public process" on the design by postponing the groundbreaking and scheduling a public meeting with casino owner Don Barden to discuss issues relating to the garage.

It also wants Mr. Ravenstahl to alter the schedule for the Jan. 14 city planning commission public hearing and vote on the casino design. The coalition wants the vote delayed until a subsequent meeting to give the commission "adequate time to consider testimony" from the public.

"We know you value Pittsburgh's riverfronts and the distinction that our architecture and skyline bring to our region. Please address the implication of inferior design of the North Shore casino before it's a concrete blight on our iconic vista," the group wrote.

Mr. Barden is scheduled to break ground at the casino site on the waterfront just west of the Carnegie Science Center at 10 a.m. tomorrow, nearly one year after he won the Pittsburgh slot machine license. The parking garage to be built behind it is nearly twice as tall as the casino itself, leading some to worry that it could detract from views of the city skyline.

Thank God people woke up and realized that awful garage would be the ruin of Pittsburgh's views. In this stripmall look alike plastic world, unique views are an asset not to be tossed out like garbage. STOP THAT GARAGE PITTSBURGHERS!!!!!!!!! Come On. You've weathered floods, fires, plagues, industrial decline and more, yet Pittsburghers all over Florida speak of thier love for the city. You Pittsburghers who remain in the home city must carry on the watch and keep the town intact.

[EventHorizon]

He refused the delay. It will go on as planned.

Well, that really isn't a surprise. He made a public compromise with Barden.
Again, the final design hasn't been approved. The public hearings haven't occurred yet. The ground breaking will still take place, but that doesn't mean the design can't change.

Casino Groundbreaking (http://kdka.com/local/casino.Barden.groundbreaking.2.608016.html)

[Johnland]

Well, that really isn't a surprise. He made a public compromise with Barden.
Again, the final design hasn't been approved. The public hearings haven't occurred yet. The ground breaking will still take place, but that doesn't mean the design can't change.

Casino Groundbreaking (http://kdka.com/local/casino.Barden.groundbreaking.2.608016.html)

I just had to laugh at the image of the mayor refusing to delay an abomination upon the city. Real leadership....

[xyagentguy]

Again, the final design hasn't been approved. The public hearings haven't occurred yet. The ground breaking will still take place, but that doesn't mean the design can't change.
You're right. Nothing is final until mid-January I think. They are going to do preliminary construction, now.
I just had to laugh at the image of the mayor refusing to delay an abomination upon the city. Real leadership....
Give him a break, he's actually done a lot already in the short time since he's been re-elected.

[Evergrey]

I just had to laugh at the image of the mayor refusing to delay an abomination upon the city. Real leadership....

Agreed... absolutely pathetic...

[PA Pride]

That garage is a monster. I wonder what the chances are that public opinion can make it any better?

[UrbaniDesDev]

Thanks Chucka.
We can complain all we want. If we want change it is up to the people to show a resounding NO and participate and make their voices heard.

[Evergrey]

what do you want, Alethea Sims?

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07345/840657-53.stm

Bridge vs. wedge: Is thriving Eastside corridor uniting or dividing two old city neighborhoods?

Tuesday, December 11, 2007
By Mackenzie Carpenter, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette


http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/images/200712/20071210rr_eastendcombo_330.jpg
Robin Rombach/Post-Gazette photos
Top: Alethea Sims of the Coalition of Organized Residents of East Liberty believes the new development hasn't benefited the African-American community.
Bottom: Eastside developers Steve Mosites, left, and Mark Minnerly, right, say they have worked with local groups to encourage hiring as Eastside grows. Susan Bicket, Mosites' sister, who helped pull together the development, is at center.


Jessica Levine is perched on a stool behind the counter of the snazzy new Borders Bookstore she manages, pointing at a window overlooking Centre Avenue.

"That part of the store is in East Liberty," she says. Then she points to the other side, which faces a parking lot. "That side of the store is in Shadyside."

"And me,'' she adds with a grin, noting her position in the middle of the store, "I'm located in Eastside."

That's one way of figuring out the contours of one of Pittsburgh's newest, hippest and busiest retail districts, located on the southern edge of East Liberty and within shouting distance of some of the city's most affluent neighborhoods.

Eastside, as its developers, Steve Mosites and Mark Minnerly, christened it, is a branding success story that is attracting shoppers from all over the region, drawn by its Whole Foods and upscale stores that have opened nearby. More than 30,000 customers a week are clogging the site's parking lots.

The development also has caught the attention of national experts who cite it as a new paradigm for revitalizing a low-income neighborhood, in part by relying on input from grass-roots organizations and neighborhood merchants -- a far cry from the misguided, top-down '60s-era "renewal" projects that only accelerated urban decline.

Still, like all success stories, Eastside has its naysayers. While people such as Malik Bankston, director of the Kingsley Community Center in Larimer, say Eastside can only benefit East Liberty and other poor neighborhoods, other local activists contend it's just gentrification-as-usual. They say Eastside caters to the affluent rather than to the people who live in East Liberty.

"There's really nothing there for us," says Alethea Sims, president of the Coalition of Organized Residents of East Liberty. "We feel as though there is a concerted effort to remove the low-income black people who have lived here for years, to make room for these new people."

Actually, no residential relocation has occurred as a result of the Eastside development, Mr. Mosites said. The site now housing Whole Foods contained only a few businesses -- a car wash and a cab company that, he said, didn't even respond to calls from community residents.

"Nobody lived there," he said. "It was all under-utilized commercial property or business that drove no traffic to the community."

Wedged between two neighborhoods -- one affluent, the other lower-income but undergoing change -- Eastside sits on a long, wedge-shaped property bordered on one side by Centre Avenue and by the busway and train tracks on the other. It's anchored on its western end by Whole Foods, the organic food grocery chain that opened in 2002 and was so successful that other stores quickly followed.

There's now a spa, a premium state liquor store, a 5,000-square-foot Trek bike store, Starbucks, Walgreens, a T-Mobile store and Borders, which, unlike its competitor Barnes & Noble in Squirrel Hill, boasts an extensive music section, and a second-story parking deck that spills out onto Highland Avenue.

With nearly 375,000 people living within five miles, a third with an average household income of $80,000 or more, this is truly a sweet spot for retailers.

But to benefit the neighborhood, Mr. Mosites knew that East Liberty residents needed a stake in the project, so he enlisted East Liberty Development Inc. (ELDI), the local community development corporation. It not only helped Messrs. Mosites and Minnerly develop a master plan for the site and raise capital, but also leveraged the program with potential tenants to encourage local hiring for new jobs.

"We like to think we're trying to build a healthy and diverse community in terms of race as well as economics," said Skip Schwab, ELDI's program director.

ELDI and other urban planners have benefited from the mistakes of the past, including Motor Square Garden. Located directly across from Whole Foods and noteworthy for its teal-colored dome, Motor Square Garden opened as a shopping mall amid much hoopla in the 1980s but couldn't sustain enough traffic. It went bankrupt before re-emerging as the headquarters for AAA East Central.

"Motor Square was an isolated event 20 years ahead of its time," Mr. Schwab said, noting such projects need to attract other development to build a critical mass of customers and traffic to be sustainable. That's what ELDI and others are hoping to do now, with a range of other projects and renovations that complement but don't rely on Eastside.

For its part, Eastside is still a work in progress.

Besides the 5.3 acre development, which includes Whole Foods, there's a 4-acre parcel near the National Indoor Tennis center that Mr. Mosites says will be developed. A pedestrian bridge connecting Ellsworth Avenue in Shadyside and the Whole Foods parking lot is in the works, too.

Spillover from the site has been palpable. Eastside's success has emboldened other developers to buy up land nearby -- local development group Walnut Capital is building "Bakery Square," a complex of retail, business and lofts at the old Nabisco plant in Larimer.

And across from Eastside, along South Highland Avenue, new dining establishments have sprung up -- from the relatively pricey and critically praised Red Room to more affordable, minority-owned eateries and clubs such as Ethiopian restaurant Abay, the Caribbean-inspired Royal Caribbean restaurant, and clubs Ava and Shadow Lounge. City officials also are hoping to land discount retailer Target nearby.

All the growth is bringing some problems, including parking and petty auto crimes. While crime is down an average 10 percent both citywide and in East Liberty, thefts from automobiles are up 30 percent in East Liberty, noted Zone 5 Commander Rochelle Brackney, whose territory just borders Eastside.

Car break-ins "are fairly typical when you have new development in low-income areas and you get more people driving in, parking their cars and leaving stuff inside," she said. "We've seen this phenomenon before."

The city isn't moving to make Eastside an official neighborhood, but if a community is a state of mind, Eastside has definitely seized the imagination of many East End retailers, some of whom are claiming residency even though they aren't located there.

"I say I'm in Eastside because I like the idea of two communities, East Liberty and Shadyside, coming together," says Ethan "Rooster" Clay, owner of the newly opened coffee and ice cream shop Oh Yeah at 232 S. Highland Ave. Technically, he's in Shadyside, but "I don't feel that way," he says.

"From where I sit, I see a direct connection to the true East Liberty, and I like that."

Perhaps, but Ms. Sims, of the East Liberty residents group, doesn't see that connection.

"This 'Eastside' thing has a lot of the residents that I talk with upset," she said. "There's not anything over there that's truly geared to the African-American consumer. It just looks to us like the 'suits' are doing their best to make the area more appealing to white people."

Mackenzie Carpenter can be reached at mcarpenter@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1949.

http://www.post-gazette.com/images4/20071211Eastside_dev.gif


...



http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07345/840650-53.stm

East Liberty merchants split on Eastside

Tuesday, December 11, 2007
By Mackenzie Carpenter, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Eastside is getting mixed reviews along East Liberty's business corridor on Penn Avenue.

Guido Altun, who has owned Hip Hop City at the corner of Highland and Penn for the past for 10 years, believes all the redevelopment, starting with the tear-down of the East Mall high rise, has leached his customer base away.

All these improvements "are killing my business," he said. "They're not blending the two neighborhoods; they're just bringing Shadyside this way."

Right next door, Sam Arabian, of Sam's Bostonian shoes, couldn't agree less.

"Eastside is bringing in a lot of different customers," he said. "It's a changing atmosphere. How could you not be happy?"

Baiyinah Brookins, who works at her father's Jamil's Global Village store, which sells jewelry, candles, fragrances and exotic goods, says she happily patronizes Borders and Whole Foods. "It brings a new dynamic to the neighborhood."

But, added Ms. Brookins, 22, "I don't want to see a suburbanization of this area. I wouldn't want to see a Bath and Body Works shop here."

Todd Levine, owner of the Mo' Gear sportswear shop on Penn, said he thinks Eastside isn't "bringing these two neighborhoods together. It's pushing them farther apart.

"There's no bonding going on," he said. "You're just expanding Shadyside this way and making it an extension of Ellsworth Avenue. Rents will go up, and low-income residents will simply have to move somewhere else."

Despite the criticism, Eastside co-developer Steve Mosites remains confident in his development and the broader goal of building stronger connections between two neighborhoods by offering options everyone wants.

"The goal is to find great uses for property that everyone in the region can enjoy. The goal isn't to push out the less fortunate," he said, a point he emphasizes by noting that all the new mixed-income housing that has been built in the community in recent years is doing well.

"We already know that high concentrations of low income do not lead to sustainable communities," added Malik Bankston, director of the Kingsley Community Center in Larimer.

"I understand some people have a sense of loss about what once was here, but so much of that is shaped by looking backward, and we can't keep doing that."

It's a concept that Nicole Carter, a minority business owner who just opened Visionary Dance Studio on Penn, strongly agrees with.

"For me, Eastside is exciting," she said. "I used to run out to the mall for things, but now I can go to Walgreens, or the bookstore or even Staples," in a nearby shopping center that once housed a Phar-Mor and later, a Shop 'n Save and goes by the name of the Village of East Side.

"I teach my children, low income doesn't have to mean low quality. There's got to be a mix in this neighborhood; otherwise, our children won't ever have the opportunity to know what good quality is. They deserve to know that as much as everyone else."

[PittPenn 03]

I have said it before and I will say it again concerning the casino. -If you want to see just how bad it is going to look, take Amtrak to Chicago and take a look at the casinos in Gary, IN. I have no faith whatsoever it is going to look any better than those. I am sure they were promised the world before their casinos were approved also.

[Brentsters]

That lady baffles me. Why is she complaining that a book store, grocery store, a drug store took the place of a taxi depot? And 2 new mixed-income housing developments were just built with a third announced 2 pages ago.

I get that the residents may be wary given the history of the neighborhood but these are establishments that benefit everyone.

[EventHorizon]

Ground broken for North Side casino

http://postgazette.com/pg/07345/840805-100.stm

http://postgazette.com/pg/images/200712/20071211as_casino2_brk_500.jpg
Heavy equipment immediately began work today after the ceremonial groundbreaking for the Majestic Star Casino.

With the shout of "Gentlemen, start your engines," Don Barden broke ground this morning on his $450 million North Side casino. Mr. Barden pledged to make it a world-class facility and once again vowed to make it the flagship of his Majestic Star chain.

In addition to the usual ceremonial groundbreaking shovels, Mr. Barden had heavy equipment operators on hand who immediately started their engines and began the actual excavation work at the site. He renewed his commitment to have the slots parlor open in April 2009.

The ceremony was attended by more than 100 people, including former Steeler Jerome Bettis, singer Smokey Robinson and a contingent of family members and friends bused in from Detroit.

While the ceremony was billed as a celebration, Mr. Barden hinted he wouldn't mind using the shovel to finally bury some of the many groups that have challenged him since he was awarded development rights a year ago.

The latest challenge intensified yesterday when architects and design experts, who oppose the size of a parking garage at the casino, asked that today's ceremony be postponed.

Mr. Barden today unveiled new drawings of the casino and the decorative screenings to be placed on the front of the garage, a compromise worked out with public officials.

During a briefing for the city planning commission this afternoon, architect Michael Stern of casino designer Strada said the garage would be comparable in height to other North Shore facilities. The garage will be 119 feet tall, compared to 153 feet for Heinz Field; 105 feet for the Del Monte building and the Sports and Exhibition Authority garage; and 90 feet for the Carnegie Science Center.

He said designers have made two changes in plans: adding steel screening to the side of the garage facing the river and changing the color of the face of the garage from plain concrete to "warm tan."

Lisa Schroeder, executive director of the Riverlife Task Force who has questioned the design, said she was "thrilled" with the changes. She said she would reserve judgment until she can review the plans on the scale of the garage in relationship with other facilities on the North shore.

[xyagentguy]

Apparently the new drawings show that the casino and the garage both have changed somewhat. Exactly where are these unveilings? Are they not public, yet?

I'm not gonna lie, I am definitely one of those people who was very much against the hideous garage, but let's reserve criticism until after the new renderings are shown. If what he says is true about all the garage sizes along the shore, 119 feet, although high, doesn't seem that radically inappropriate.

[Evergrey]

ooo... "warm tan"... i'm impressed

[EventHorizon]

Apparently the new drawings show that the casino and the garage both have changed somewhat. Exactly where are these unveilings? Are they not public, yet?

The PG will probably have them soon. I saw glimses of the renderings on KDKA.

http://kdka.com/local/Majestic.Star.groundbreaking.2.608429.html

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/2445/casinoel5.png

[xyagentguy]

EventHorizon, if that little pic you posted was a glimpse of the new renderings, I'm still not impressed. Supposedly this will be his "flagship" casino? I'm not sure I believe that.

Those people need to talk to the Isle of Capri guys, THEY had beautiful renderings.

[xyagentguy]

On a completely different note, this may be snooze news for many, but this is actually a big deal I think.

Tiffany & Co. is opening their first store in the Pittsburgh market next year at Ross Park Mall.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/breaking/s_542255.html

Tiffany to open store at Ross Park Mall
By Thomas Olson
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Tiffany & Co., the upscale jewelry retailer, said today it will open a store in 2008 in Ross Park Mall, which would be its first store in the Pittsburgh area.

A 5,700-square-foot store is slated to open in October as part of 65,000 square feet of newly expanded space at the mall. The addition is meant for luxury retailers, such as Tiffany, as well as restaurants, said shopping center owner Simon Property Group Inc.

"Tiffany is a fabulous addition to Ross Park Mall," said Scott Richardson, senior development director for Simon. "We are pleased that their first store in Pittsburgh is at Ross Park Mall."

Tiffany operates jewelry stores throughout North and South America, Europe and Asia.

[EventHorizon]

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/photos/2007-12-11/2007-MSC-a.jpg
Courtesy of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review

[xyagentguy]

Hmmmm is all I have to say at this point.

Hmmmmmmmmmmm.

[EventHorizon]

Hmmmm is all I have to say at this point.

Hmmmmmmmmmmm.

Yeah, pretty much my feelings too.

It's a bit better than what Riverlife came up with:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/images/200712/20071209nextpage_riverlife2_500.jpg

vs.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/photos/2007-12-11/2007-MSC-a.jpg
Tribune-Review

[xyagentguy]

You mean regarding the garage? The casino design looks exactly the same, but yes, I suppose the new rendering is the better option. And what of these decorative panels? I see no indication of that yet, in the drawings.

I am very much interested in what he wants the interior to be like.

[EventHorizon]

You mean regarding the garage? The casino design looks exactly the same, but yes, I suppose the new rendering is the better option. And what of these decorative panels? I see no indication of that yet, in the drawings.

Yes, regarding the garage.

True , the casino looks pretty much the same .... but I wasn't expecting that to change much, we're you? I haven't really heard opponents complaining about the casino design itself, just the garage.

But, the right side of the casino does have a 'slant' design to it -- compared to the boxy riverlife image ... if that's much of a difference.

[EventHorizon]

xyagentguy, here's the only images I've seen of the metal screening:
http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/1037/panels1zz6.png
http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/8725/panels2db9.png

[xyagentguy]

Interesting. I had not seen those yet. They help. They do. It's a hard situation. There HAS to be parking and plenty of it. It still doesn't sit right with me, but I guess.. I dunno.. here comes the:

Hmmmmmmm.

[designer3d712]

I do Architectural Illustrations for a living and I'm not impressed with the Renderings. Spend some money and have a Skilled Illustrator Render the Casino. Doing so probably would make a lot of people more comfortable with the design.