PITTSBURGH | Rundown [Archive] - Page 40

hyperion1110

04-05-2008, 11:45 PM

I always seem to have a different opinion than most here regarding the way things should be versus the way they are. But, here goes:

1. I like Gateway Center, and think it's neat. I just wish something could be done about 279 separating it from the Point. Unfortunately, I don't think much can be done about that;

2. Building Point State Park was absolutely the right thing to do. From the pictures that were posted, there wasn't much that was lost in building it. Some here have commented on the Wabash Terminal being an amazing building; it was. But remember, it was destroyed in a fire in 1946. So, building the park didn't require the sacrifice of anything really beautiful or irreplacable. Yet, regardless of all of that, Pittsburgh's Point is one of the most historically significant places in this country, for myriad reasons (which most of you know). Beyond that, though, it is one of the most beautiful places in the world, in my opinion. Imagine standing there 300 years ago, before it was developed! Everything lush and green, all the hills and valleys, and two wide rivers forming a third, grander-still waterway. Few places on Earth can compete with the Point's natural beauty. For that reason, if nothing else, it is best as a park;

3. Someone needs to explain to me why the State Office Building is ugly and the Hilton is not?! I just don't get it. There's nothing wrong with the exterior of the state building...nothing at all. It's not going to be torn down, because that would be just plain dumb. Like it or not, but that building fits in with the rest of Gateway Center;

4. Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion. But, please, all things involving cars are not inherently evil. In the context within which the Gateway Center was built, it made perfect sense. Oil was plentiful, especially in western PA, and the American economy was growing and changing rapidly. This is an example of it. Simply because our context has changed (as well it should, 60 years later), it does not follow that they were wrong then. That kind of revisionist perspective is absurd;

5. Those of us that have lived in this city all our lives (and I mean in the city, not in the metro or region) can tell you all about the huge changes it has gone through first hand. All the news articles, census information, or statistics you look for cannot tell you this simple truth: Pittsburgh is better now than it was before. And it keeps getting better all the time, because Pittsburghers, strange and obstinate though we be, are proud of our city, with all of its triumphs and its mistakes.

In short, I implore you not to be so fatalistic or extreme. I don't think I have ever seen a built structure that was hideous or monstrous. True, some things seem to appeal to our aesthetic sense more than others. But reason should inform you of the need for contrast, without which we can never claim that this is more or less beautiful or fitting than that.

Evergrey

04-06-2008, 12:16 AM

so gross
http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/79759258.jpg

the Hilton is much better... look at it glow! and that's before the renovation... now it's a beautiful shade of harvest gold
http://www.pbase.com/deadwing/image/78980569.jpg

AaronPGH

04-06-2008, 10:08 PM

I actually love the Gateway Center towers. They've grown on me for sure. When the sun hits them at different angles, the textures on the sides of the buildings light up and it looks gorgeous....almost a tad art-deco. I wouldn't touch anything except for the Federal Building, which I can't stand. I think the way to fix Gateway Center is to make better use of the park space at the bottoms. Give people more reasons to use it.

DBR96A

04-06-2008, 10:58 PM

People here are complaining about a "noose of concrete" surrounding downtown Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, the north shore of the Monongahela is the only place to put the Parkway East, so there's nothing we can do about that. The easiest thing to do would be to tunnel the portion of the Crosstown Expressway closest to the current Mellon Arena site. That'd get the new street grid connected with downtown as well as the Hill District. That's a relatively easy fix.

The Point State Park dilemma is a harder one, though. It'd be very expensive to tunnel the connector between the Fort Pitt and Fort Duquesne Bridges, and it might not even be practical either, due to flooding concerns. About the only solution there is to wipe out the Fort Duquesne Bridge, and tell people approaching the city to exit before the Fort Pitt Tunnel and use the West End Bridge to get to points along the Ohio River. Now if this is somehow a viable solution, then it should NOT be done until there is a direct connection from the Parkway East in BOTH directions to the Crosstown Expressway, AND a direct connection from the Crosstown Expressway northbound to the North Shore Expressway.

As for the south shore of the Allegheny, that one's tough too. Even if the 10th Street Bypass was wiped out, Fort Duquesne Boulevard is still elevated relative to the riverfront, so basically all we'd have is a wider riverfront park right up next to a big wall. With the lay of that land, a road is about the only thing that could be put there.

We should NEVER consider wiping out the Fort Pitt Bridge. The Fort Pitt Bridge "entrance" into downtown is one of the big things that makes Pittsburgh unique in the first place. Besides, it's part of the future I-376 corridor.

Highways aren't evil. We just need to figure out how to better work them through urban areas.

cdc

04-07-2008, 03:47 AM

I think PA Pride was asking about the airport a while back? This was
in today's PG travel section:

Nonstop flights from Pittsburgh drop sharply
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08097/870344-243.stm

check out the chart of the remaining non-stop flights they did here:
http://www.post-gazette.com/downloads/20080406trv_Pittsburgh_flights_11x17.pdf
(it isn't in the main HTML article, but it was in the print edition.)

In September 2005, there were nonstop flights to 74 airports
from Pittsburgh International. Twelve airlines offered an average of
298 nonstop departures each day.

As of February 2008, our nonstop destination airports have dwindled to
50. Thirteen airlines now serve Pittsburgh International, but they
offer an average of only 186 nonstop flights per day -- a 37 percent
drop, according to figures provided by airport authorities.
...

There were also several items on the city/county merger proposal, lots
of discussion of the city's debt problems, etc.

Get set for merger pitch
Selling public and politicians on dumping city government won't be easy
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08097/870989-85.stm

Onorato, Ravenstahl get sympathetic hearing
Many municipal officials meeting at Seven Springs change their minds
on proposed city-county merger
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08097/870957-85.stm

Wedded city-county bliss? (Brian O'Neill column)
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08097/870699-155.stm

PA Pride

04-07-2008, 03:56 AM

We need to get our airport flights in shape. Or Pittsburgh isn't going to be a viable city for business relocations or investments.

It seems like Onorato is trying his best to get more direct flights. I hope he is making good progress.

Evergrey

04-07-2008, 04:14 AM

The O'Neill piece brings up some good points that a lot of suburbanites never consider.

However, I have grave misgivings about this "halfway" merger.

I fully support the elimination of all 130 municipal governments as they are folded into a single city-county metro unit. This would scale the new City of Pittsburgh more appropriately to many of its peers. Additionally, Pennsylvania has the most fragmented, arcane, and self-destructive system of municipal governance... there needs to be radical action. There needs to be an elimination of the "chasms of inequity" throughout the county. There needs to be a large unit that has a substantial pool of resources to get things done... instead of hundreds of tiny, ineffective, inadequate governments. There needs to be sensible land use planning on a county scale (see: Kilbuck's Wal-Mart landslide).

However, I realize that "full merger" is a non-starter as there are too many self-interested councilmen that want to keep their political power in their tiny useless municipalities. The city's huge debt load makes it all the more unfeasible (though the extreme fragmentation and under-bounding of the city have contributed heavily to the debt problems!). As O'Neill correctly pointed out:

"That's the debt a city can run up when it sticks to an early 20th-century geographical construct in a 21st-century economy. It's not hard to get into hock when the largest employers, the hospitals and universities, don't pay property or payroll taxes."

The only way a full merger could come about IMO is if Harrisburg decided to dramatically alter the system of municipal governance in this state and give it a 200 year quantum leap. They could create a series of "consolidated metro governments" (though Philly city/county sort've acts as one; on an underbounded scale). They could say "we have a ton of useless governments out there... let's do some mass consolidations". Of course, the municipal lobby is powerful and none of those people want to lose their jobs... and we know that Harrisburg is a place where nothing gets done (unless it's casinos).

The halfway merger proposed by Nordenburg and supported by Onorato and Opie makes no sense to me... and they've been quite parsimonious with details. It's not totally applicable to use Louisville as a model for us. Kentucky has a very different form of local governance. In Kentucky, much of the land is unincorporated. In Pennsylvania, every inch of ground is incorporated into a municipality. In Kentucky, counties and municipalities essentially offer the same bundle of services... counties picking up wherever land is unincorporated. In Pennsylvania, county and municipality jurisdiction overlap and they offer different bundles of local services with counties functioning as local agents of the state. In Kentucky... and most other southern states where city/county mergers have taken place... municipalities and counties are often "battling" with each other over territory... as municipalities often try to annex adjacent unincorporated land to increase the tax base (usually booming suburban areas). The county, of course, does not want to lose this tax base and a legal struggle ensues. Sometimes municipalities and counties see it as their best interest to attempt consolidation a la Louisville and Jefferson County... instead of going through the costly annexation process. In the Louisville merger, the City of Louisville received the gift of hundreds of square miles of unincorporated territory formerly served by the county. Any existing suburban municipal governments were left in tact. In the Pittsburgh scenario, the City of Pittsburgh would gain no territory from this proposed city-county merger. And I think councilor Ricky Burgess brings up a good point that city residents would have no say over suburbanites; yet suburbanites would have a say over city residents. I just don't see what the advantages are to this halfway merger for either government.

btw, I do love this part from Nordenburg's report:

Allegheny County was created by the Pennsylvania Legislature
in 1788 out of territory that had been a part of Westmoreland
County. That same legislation also created the borough of
Pittsburgh and designated it as the county seat and site of the
County’s court of justice. One commentator, looking back with
the benefit of hindsight, has offered the following opinion:
Logically, when Pennsylvania carved out Allegheny County
in 1788, it ought to have designated it Pittsburgh County,
as a western counterpart to Philadelphia County in the
east. That would have integrated the state’s concern for the
administration of justice with the city’s concern for its own
power base. But Allegheny County was created not to exalt
Pittsburgh but to curtail it: the rival city of Allegheny [also]
was laid out by David Redick on the opposite bank of the
Allegheny River in 1788.

themaguffin

04-07-2008, 02:17 PM

1. I like Gateway Center, and think it's neat

I actually love the Gateway Center towers

I agree. Yes they are dated, but that's what adds to the fabric of downtown and the skyline. Looking at the pictures from that era demonstrates how modern the city was becoming mid century.

There's quite a distinction from what came before and after.

I wouldn't change much of it.
The only changes I would make would be the state building, Hilton and any other "block" tower. The iconic (or infamous to some) actual Gateway office buildings I would definitely leave alone.

cdc

04-07-2008, 02:31 PM

news from the north...

Safety issues overshadow North Side land trust plans
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_561044.html

A North Side group is abandoning plans to start a community
land trust aimed at helping to keep homes affordable and maintain
diversity in the neighborhood.

A recent community survey conducted by the Central North Side
Neighborhood Council found that safety issues such as drugs, guns,
traffic and a lack of street lighting were the top concerns, followed
by worries over vacant buildings and lots and litter.

Only about 10 percent of respondents considered affordable housing a
major problem.
...

Evergrey

04-07-2008, 02:34 PM

Johnland

04-07-2008, 02:57 PM

I actually like the 3 silver Gateway buildings as well... and think they still look cutting-edge after all these years... I just don't like the way they interact with street-level and the rest of Downtown

Yeah, I've always thought they added something to the skyline. From the North Shore, the repetetive design in the three buildings, with thier somewhat train-like windows evokes a really urban, corporate, industrial look - which I find very appealing. And very appropriate for Pittsburgh. As the North Shore is becoming a more active place with the new stadiums and offices, we're seeing more views of that side of Downtown. The Gateway Center buildings really hold up that end of the procession of highrises cast along the shore of the Allegheny.

AaronPGH

04-07-2008, 11:17 PM

I just don't like the way they interact with street-level and the rest of Downtown

The bright side of this is that there are relatively inexpensive fixes to the street-level interaction. Add onto the things by building retail/cafes/etc around the bottoms. That's the bright side of having all that park space down there. That'd be an instant downtown destination with all that shade. I wonder if the owners of the complex have even thought about it before?

hyperion1110

04-08-2008, 12:52 AM

After having read through the Nordenberg report, I think I would give my support to its recommendations. In short, it's recommending to unify services, in the short term. In the long term, it recommends full consolidaton.

I think I have the same concern many people do: namely, what does it mean for the city residents? With 3/4 of the population living outside of the city, it seems like we're going to be having the suburbs telling the city how to run. And given their generally divergent interests, it would seem that there could be nothing worse for the city. BUT, I'd like to hear more about this Urban Services District. IF the differentiation is more than just nominal, as the report suggests, I think this could be an acceptable intermediate step to full consolidation. IF the services of the city as it is now, and the county as it is now, remain tailored to the specific demographic, then I think this is a good thing. With the savings wrought from unified government services, the Urban Services District could easily pay down its debt, achieving debt-parity with the General Services District in 10-15 years. As progress is made paying down the debt, taxes could incrementally be lowered.

I was fascinated by the example of the refuse collection compact between the city and Wilkinsburg. If you look at many of the municipalities around Pittsburgh, about half of them aren't doing so well. They look to the Wilkinsburg example, and they see a very clear example of how they could save a lot of money. Looking at other areas of their budget, like police/fire, purchasing, maintenance, etc., it should be obvious to them that they could save more by integrating more services. Now, I know all of this won't happen over night. But, given a few years, with the city-county merged as Nordenberg suggests, municipalities adjacent to Pittsburgh will become very interested in folding their governments. Off the top of my head, I can think of the following that would benefit, like: Wilkinsburg, Braddock, Rankin, Duquesne, Penn Hills, Millvale, Etna, Reserve, Sharpsburg, Mt. Oliver, Bellvue, Avalon, and McKees Rocks. Adding those to the merged government, you're now looking at roughly 1/3 of the county population being under the Urban District. As more governments join, the more the balance of power tips in the merged government's favor. In the long run, full consolidation becomes natural, rather than abhorrent, to the suburban people and governments.

In the short term, there is another reason why I don't have a big problem merging the city and county governments. Right now, Pittsburgh is a second-class city, according to the PA Constitution. It doesn't have all that much authority to "self-govern" to begin with. Indeed, County government is still "over" the city government. So, there is really very little "power" the city would be giving up. It would be almost all gain for us, especially when it comes to savings.

Everything else aside, Pittsburgh is still the heart of the county and the region. Even in a partial merger, where suburban interested MAY dominate city interests, at the end of the day, Pittsburgh is everyone's city. People in Marshall, Baldwin, and Ross want it to succeed as much as we in the city do. Because, though they might have their homes in other municipalities proper, they are all still Pittsburghers.

I think this merger, in any incarnation, is a good step forward.

hyperion1110

04-08-2008, 12:54 AM

Oops :)

hyperion1110

04-08-2008, 12:54 AM

Sorry for the triple post. The site was being uber-weird.

PA Pride

04-08-2008, 04:25 AM

I agree with your first post, hyperion but I disagree with your second and third.

But seriously, you're right: A slow merging of immediate surrounding municipalities will eventually make a full merger palettable to the suburban areas.

PA Pride

04-08-2008, 04:30 AM

I wonder if the owners of the complex have even thought about it before?

That's a good question Aaron! You work at Gateway center: Why don't you ask them??

Evergrey

04-08-2008, 05:45 AM

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08099/871277-42.stm

KQV's 'Downtown View' premieres tonight

Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Adrian McCoy, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A new monthly radio program on Downtown developments will premiere tonight on KQV-AM (1410).

"The Downtown View" is hosted by Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership president and CEO Mike Edwards. Tonight's episode focuses on Market Square, with guests Mike Geiger of Moe's Southwest Grill and PDP economic development specialist Sean Luther.

The show will air the second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. for the next six months, with a re-broadcast the Saturday after at 9:30 a.m.

The broadcasts also will be archived on the PDP Web site, www.downtownpittsburgh.com.

tooluther

04-08-2008, 02:04 PM

"The Downtown View" is hosted by Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership president and CEO Mike Edwards. Tonight's episode focuses on Market Square, with guests Mike Geiger of Moe's Southwest Grill and PDP economic development specialist Sean Luther.

The bolded individual is not the only person on the show tonight who has posted on this board..."I Am Moe" will also appear!

themaguffin

04-08-2008, 02:31 PM

Well there will always be issues no matter how big or small a government is in terms of its political boundaries. Within the city, I bet residents of the poorest neigborhoods believe that Squirrel Hill, Shadyside etc get the most out of the tax dollars and that some residents in those areas believe that they are subsidizing the poorer areas.

It's not a mystery what a broader Pittsburgh would be like. Just look at any of the many cities with borders of 100's of square miles. People will need to deal with these age old biases and bullshit and realize that a streamlined Pittsburgh that covers an area that more represents its totality will be more effective and beneficial in the long run.

People will be antsy and expect change in a year or 5 years. It's not going to be that soon - some of it will, but the biggest payoffs will be long term.

cdc

04-08-2008, 02:32 PM

Are we better?

Mayor tries to get Pa. to lift its financial oversight
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08099/871405-53.stm

Tonight, state officials will hear testimony on whether
Pittsburgh should become just the seventh municipality in 21 years to
escape from the ranks of the financially distressed. ...

Also of interest today:

'Tartan Square?' CMU officials want to put their stamp on South Craig St.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08099/871351-298.stm

Places: City buildings play role in movie on architect
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08099/871295-254.stm

Birmingham Bridge troubles first seen in 1990
ttp://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_561145.html

hyperion1110

04-08-2008, 10:31 PM

:previous: That Tartan Square thing is absurd! CMU's presence along S. Craig is no greater than Pitt's. In fact, Pitt dominates that area much more so than CMU. I mean, there is a reason why the ravine is called Panther Hollow!

CMU has more than enough room to expand. There was debate back and forth about the Syria Mosque being turned into a parking lot. Well, take a look at the seas of asphalt CMU has! There are two massive and useless parking lots across Forbes from the main campus. If they want room to expand, make better use of that land. CMU is going to have to go vertical, just like Pitt.

Evergrey

04-08-2008, 10:36 PM

I'm really intrigued by this idea of Tartan Square! I hope CMU can provide us with some details and maps soon! Great to hear that they're focusing on that key corridor.

Evergrey

04-08-2008, 10:43 PM

http://www.popcitymedia.com/developmentnews/debate0409.aspx

William Pitt Debating Union asks: Should the Mon-Fayette be completed?

http://www.popcitymedia.com/galleries/Default/Dev%20News/Issue%20105/monfayettedebate_300.jpg

On April 14, the William Pitt Debating Union asks Should the Mon-Fayette Expressway Be Completed? during a free public debate at 6p.m. in Frick Fine Arts Auditorium, located at 650 Schenley Dr. in Oakland.

Experts Andrea Boykowycz of PennFuture and Shawn Fox with Allegheny County, along with students Colin Esgro and Richard Pittman, will debate the question during a format that includes audience participation, opening speeches, questions from student panelists, and closing remarks. The second installment in a new series funded by program alum Marcella Finegold, the debate asks participants to examine an overarching "Future of Pittsburgh" theme. In 2011, debate transcripts and analysis will be published.

Homing in on transportation led students to a timely and complex topic. While portions of the Mon-Fayette’s proposed 66 miles are complete, funding is not secured for key segments that would traverse Allegheny County. Advocates favoring the expressway’s completion argue that it would ease economic stress within the Mon Valley and traffic congestion along I-376. Opponents are concerned with the project’s cost and timeline, and argue that public resources and energies would be better invested in alternative transportation projects and existing infrastructure.

“Students had to come up with an issue that’s robust, engages interest and is salient. When the debate process is live, it directly contributes to deliberation in the community about a pending issue and has long-term value as a deliberative record,” says debating union director Gordon Mitchell. “This is one of the onion peeling topics—it’s philosophical, environmental and is about quality of life. One of the beauties of public debate is that you get to pick your topics and craft your format.”

To view the debate via webstream, go here (http://mediasite.cidde.pitt.edu/mediasite/catalog/).

Writer: Jennifer Baron
Sources: Gordon Mitchell, director, William Pitt Debating Union; Andrea Boykowycz, outreach coordinator, PennFuture

Evergrey

04-09-2008, 05:25 AM

looks like we weren't the only ones unimpressed with the Penguins arena renderings

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_561361.html

Changes sought on Pens arena design

By Bonnie Pfister
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, April 9, 2008

The Pittsburgh Planning Commission on Tuesday asked developers of the new Penguins hockey arena to revise the exterior of the nearly million-square-foot building and parking garage.

Commission members unfavorably compared parts of the $290 million project Uptown to a generic mall.

Wayne London, an architect for builder HOK Sport, said the firm will present images of the alterations to the commission on April 22, when members are scheduled to vote on the project.

Chairwoman Wrenna Watson described the stone wall along Centre Avenue as bland, while member Todd Reidbord said the Fifth Avenue ground floor retail space resembled a monolithic mall.

Reidbord expressed interest in decorative screening around the parking garage planned just east of the arena.

While designers champion the "glass spine" of the entrance facing Downtown along Washington Place, commission member Barbara K. Mistick urged them to take equal care with the other facades.

"You have an (entrance) on every side," she said. "Each one of those needs to be treated in a way that makes you proud to see that side of it."

London said his team could address those concerns and still come within budget and on time. Construction is expected to begin by July.

Mistick expressed dismay that two pedestrian walkways on either side of the arena connecting Fifth and Centre avenues were not part of the formal development plan, despite an agreement in January.

While a rendering of a would-be connection on the western side was shown yesterday, it was unclear how a similar connection on the eastern side would be designed or who would pay for them.

Penguins lawyer William Sittig Jr. said the team had committed only to allowing the property rights for those connections, not to paying for them. He added that he did not think an eastern pedestrian connection is doable.

"Whenever these were tacked on, we were very clear to the city right away about having to find an alternate source," Sittig said. "We do want to go to the foundations; we do want to find public money."

Images of the design are available at www.pgh-sea.com.

Bonnie Pfister can be reached at bpfister@tribweb.com or 412-320-7886.

DBR96A

04-09-2008, 06:32 AM

William Pitt Debating Union asks: Should the Mon-Fayette be completed?

Yes.

</debate>

JackStraw

04-09-2008, 01:18 PM

Yes.

</debate>

No. I would rather see extended light rail, trains, or other forms of public transportation over more highways.

cdc

04-09-2008, 02:39 PM

CMU's presence along S. Craig is no greater than Pitt's. In fact, Pitt dominates that area much more so than CMU. I mean, there is a reason why the ravine is called Panther Hollow!

CMU has more than enough room to expand. There was debate back and forth about the Syria Mosque being turned into a parking lot. Well, take a look at the seas of asphalt CMU has! There are two massive and useless parking lots across Forbes from the main campus. If they want room to expand, make better use of that land. CMU is going to have to go vertical, just like Pitt.

Looking at the campus maps:

CMU: http://www.cmu.edu/about/visit/campus-map.shtml

PITT: http://www.tour.pitt.edu/tour-firstmap.html
http://www.tour.pitt.edu/documents/map200506.pdf

I don't see Pitt dominating that area, especially if you factor in
Mellon Institute, Software Engineering Inst., and the old Vision
Services Building that CMU bought and recently renovated (at 300
S.Craig). (Not sure why CMU lists the RAND Building on its map
though, wishful thinking perhaps?) Friends who work at CMU tell me
that the general idea here is to try and help people who work in that
cluster of buildings on Craig St feel more a part of the main campus.

The Pitt PDF map only shows two buildings on Craig (the darker ones,
namely, Craig Hall and Forbes/Craig Apts.).

I don't see CMU doing anything with the parking lots on Forbes anytime
soon (e.g. Morewood Gardens). First, those are popular with employees
(cheapest parking permit). Second, CMU seems to be more focused on
their current projects (the two new SCS buildings, Doherty Hall phase
2) and planning work for a CIC2 building across panther hollow from
the first CIC building. There is also a non-CMU project (the Hotel
proposed for the old gas station site) that is going to have an impact
on the Craig St area.

Grego43

04-09-2008, 02:54 PM

That's all well and good, JackStraw, I think most people would support more public transit. But it does nothing to address the matter of access for all the brownfields that the Mon-Fay would open to development. What a great antidote to suburban sprawl that would be, no? Building rail lines to areas with a decimated population base would be a huge waste of money...who in the hell would use it. Perhaps someone remembers the old PATrain that used to ply that very same route???

PA Pride

04-09-2008, 05:27 PM

(Not sure why CMU lists the RAND Building on its map
though, wishful thinking perhaps?)

I was just reading about the RAND building online yesterday; The CMU Software Institute does take up some space in that bldg.

From the developers website (The Elmhurst Group):
"RAND Corporation, our principal tenant, occupies 60,000 square feet on the top three floors, while Mellon Financial Services, Citizens Bank. CMU's Software Engineering Institute and Camille's restaurant occupy the remainder of the building."
Source: http://www.elmhurstgrp.com/_development/RAND_Corporation.html

hyperion1110

04-09-2008, 09:49 PM

Looking at the campus maps:

CMU: http://www.cmu.edu/about/visit/campus-map.shtml

PITT: http://www.tour.pitt.edu/tour-firstmap.html
http://www.tour.pitt.edu/documents/map200506.pdf

I don't see Pitt dominating that area, especially if you factor in
Mellon Institute, Software Engineering Inst., and the old Vision
Services Building that CMU bought and recently renovated (at 300
S.Craig). (Not sure why CMU lists the RAND Building on its map
though, wishful thinking perhaps?) Friends who work at CMU tell me
that the general idea here is to try and help people who work in that
cluster of buildings on Craig St feel more a part of the main campus.

The Pitt PDF map only shows two buildings on Craig (the darker ones,
namely, Craig Hall and Forbes/Craig Apts.).

The Mellon Institute is surrounded on three sides by Pitt buildings: the Cathedral of Learning, Bellefield Hall, and Bellefield Apartments. The Software Engineering Institute is actually on Fifth Ave. And you're right about RAND...I have no idea why they have that one their map. As for the two buildings on S. Craig, 300 S. Craig, though CMU-owned, is actually home to the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center, which is a joint venture of CMU, Pitt, and Westinghouse.

So, as I said, CMU's footprint on that area is really rather small. But, beyond that, I'm apprehensive about this idea of Tartan Square because there is nothing wrong with the area to begin with. The only thing that could come of it is that CMU tries to brand the street there's, which is what I think is a mistake.

But perhaps I am just frustrated in general. I work with CMU professors, students, and staff on a daily basis. They're big of ego and promises over there, but short on results. They full in less than half of the external research funding Pitt does, they fold less patents, and produce less commercial spin-offs. Yet the local media and politicians treat CMU as if it's the savior of Pittsburgh. Sorry, folks, it's not. The truth is that Pitt and UPMC are what have gotten this region through its tough times.

This is just another instance of how people in this region just don't get it. By nearly every measure, the University of Pittsburgh is one of the best research universities in the world. Yet Pitt could easily be remained Local State University, because that's all most people here seem to think it is.

Rant concluded.

Tombstoner

04-10-2008, 01:39 AM

:previous: There's no doubting that Pitt is a great school, but it's not really on par with CMU (I love them both).

AstrosFreak

04-10-2008, 02:35 AM

CMU also owns some buildings along the S. Craig St. area that aren't shown on their public maps. For example, CMU bought what used to be the Holiday Bar (Across from building 37 on the campus map) last summer.

Also, does anyone know whether that Hotel proposal (on the old gas station) that cdc mentioned is actually moving forward? That gas station has recently added more "We're Open" signs, and the hearing notice from December that is taped to the front of the parking area has started to disintegrate.

PA Pride

04-10-2008, 03:13 AM

But perhaps I am just frustrated in general. I work with CMU professors, students, and staff on a daily basis. They're big of ego and promises over there, but short on results. They full in less than half of the external research funding Pitt does, they fold less patents, and produce less commercial spin-offs. Yet the local media and politicians treat CMU as if it's the savior of Pittsburgh. Sorry, folks, it's not. The truth is that Pitt and UPMC are what have gotten this region through its tough times.

This is just another instance of how people in this region just don't get it. By nearly every measure, the University of Pittsburgh is one of the best research universities in the world. Yet Pitt could easily be remained Local State University, because that's all most people here seem to think it is.

Rant concluded.

Sorry to hear of your frustrations, hyperion... And I believe you that you've not had the best results involving CMU and it's faculty.

However, I think it's pretty hard to agree that Pitt and UPMC are the best thing for Pittsburgh, in a national reputation sense. The Univ of Pittsburgh definintely has a bigger size, with more students, more research money, etc. But it is not on par with CMU.
CMU has been ranked one of the "New Ivy" schools, which the definition is: Schools that are not in the Ivy League but compete for the same students and faculty and are challenging the very best of the best universities in the world.
To have a school like that in Pittsburgh is overall our most valuable asset.
And I know from experience reading all the business and news headlines everyday that CMU gets way more national press coverage on Pittsburgh than Pitt does.
Companies like: Apple, Seagate, Intel and more have all cited CMU as the main reason they opened branch offices here.

But hopefully the two big Oakland Universities will continue working together to accomplish big things in the future as has been the trend for the last few years. Nordenberg and Cohen are good friends and seem to have mutual goals in common.

Either way, both schools are at the core of Pittsburgh's economic and educational relevance for the future.

JackStraw

04-10-2008, 02:12 PM

This may be retarded, and coming from me, it probably is. Doesn't CMU and Pitt do research in different aspects which both benefit the local economy. Such as Pitt is huge with medical research and CMU is great in computer technology recearch.

Evergrey

04-10-2008, 02:18 PM

yes, and they have a very collaborative relationship too... no point in squabbling over reputations

PA Pride

04-10-2008, 04:28 PM

^That sounds like the comment of a Pitt student. Couldn't get accepted into CMU? LOL. Just kidding! Please don't kill me...

JackStraw

04-10-2008, 04:34 PM

^That sounds like the comment of a Pitt student. Couldn't get accepted into CMU? LOL. Just kidding! Please don't kill me...

:haha: You're such a dick.

cdc

04-10-2008, 05:19 PM

yes, and they have a very collaborative relationship too... no point in squabbling over reputations

agree. In fact, there are a number of areas where there is minimal
overlap (e.g. CMU does not have a Law School, a Med School, or an
Education program. Pitt does.).

Grego43

04-10-2008, 05:57 PM

AstrosFreak

04-10-2008, 06:25 PM

CMU leads in my half-assed, unofficial, unscientific, unresearched, movie location race (;)) :

CMU
Creepshow
Wonderboys
Smart People

Pitt
The Mysteries of Pittsburgh (if a distributor is ever found, natch)

Also, the Wean (CMU Engineering) Library was used in the the Mothman Prophecies; it feels creepy enough.

Evergrey

04-10-2008, 06:47 PM

hyperion1110

04-10-2008, 09:12 PM

I think Flashdance may have been filmed at Pitt, too, but I'm not sure if that counts as good or bad :)

jeffwhit

04-10-2008, 10:42 PM

Evergrey

04-10-2008, 10:52 PM

Is there a direct link to the archive? I can't find this to save my life.

http://www.downtownpittsburgh.com/highlights.aspx?HighlightID=21&HighlightCategoryID=12

Evergrey

04-11-2008, 05:58 AM

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08102/872377-52.stm

URA applies for funds to keep Eastside rolling

Friday, April 11, 2008
By Mark Belko, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The city's Urban Redevelopment Authority is working to keep the momentum going in East Liberty's booming Eastside district.

URA board members authorized applications for $20 million in state grants and loans yesterday to help fund pre-development work at two sites within the corridor, including one that potentially could house a Target store.

The two sites, one dubbed Eastside Beatty and the other Eastside V, are part of a larger effort aimed at "redefining the East End community as we know it," said state Sen. Jim Ferlo, a URA board member.

Ernie Hogan, deputy director of East Liberty Development Inc., said the projects will anchor the neighborhood's burgeoning retail district, one that currently includes a Whole Foods market, a Borders bookstore, a bike shop and other stores.

The $51 million Eastside V project is located at the east end of the district, at Penn Circle East and Penn Avenue. Officials hope to develop a 156,000-square-foot store at the location. It also would include 500 to 1,000 parking spaces.

Target is one of the retailers East Liberty Development has been in "serious discussions" with about the space, but no deal has been reached, Mr. Hogan said. Still, officials are hoping to begin site preparation this spring, with a store opening in summer 2010, according to the URA. It estimates the project could create 120 jobs.

Part of the site work will include the demolition of a high-rise apartment building that occupies part of the property.

Mr. Hogan said East Liberty Development eventually hopes to work with the Port Authority to create a state-of-the-art transit center on that side, one that would better integrate the nearby East Busway into the retail district.

The Eastside Beatty project would be located near the Whole Foods store on the western edge of the district in the 5800 block of Centre Avenue. Mosites Co. is hoping to build on the success of Whole Foods and other retail space, including Borders.

Cost is estimated at $31 million. The development is expected to include more retail and perhaps some residential units. The URA estimates it could create up to 200 new jobs.

"We have seen many developments along the eastern seaboard where residential is successful around Whole Food markets," said Mark Minnerly, Mosites director of real estate development.

Mosites hopes to start construction next year. Besides the state money, it is looking at a combination of private capital and New Market tax credits to fund the project.

In other actions, the URA board approved:

• An agreement that will provide up to $11.25 million in federal and state funding to widen East Carson Street adjacent to the SouthSide Works complex, a project that had been on hold since 2006 because of financing problems. The URA hopes to bid the project this summer and start construction in early fall.

• The purchase of the former South Hills High School from Pittsburgh Public Schools for $1. The school is the site of a proposed redevelopment that includes 84 units of senior housing, 24 market rate loft units, and 20,000 to 30,000 square feet of commercial space. Total development cost is estimated at more than $20 million.
Mark Belko can be reached at mbelko@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1262.

jeffwhit

04-11-2008, 07:10 AM

http://www.downtownpittsburgh.com/highlights.aspx?HighlightID=21&HighlightCategoryID=12

Cheers mate.

Is this Moe's guy the same one who was posting on here?

tooluther

04-11-2008, 04:00 PM

yes

UrbaniDesDev

04-11-2008, 04:18 PM

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08102/872377-52.stm

In other actions, the URA board approved:

• An agreement that will provide up to $11.25 million in federal and state funding to widen East Carson Street adjacent to the SouthSide Works complex, a project that had been on hold since 2006 because of financing problems. The URA hopes to bid the project this summer and start construction in early fall.

It's about time!!!
:cheers:

Evergrey

04-12-2008, 01:08 AM

I thought the interview with I Am Moe was really interesting.. very well-spoken individual with boundless enthusiasm for Market Square

Evergrey

04-12-2008, 04:53 AM

Take a "boring" trip into the North Shore Connector Tunnel

http://kdka.com/video/?id=40169@kdka.dayport.com

Evergrey

04-12-2008, 05:48 AM

finally

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08103/872677-53.stm

North Side townhouse construction to begin

Saturday, April 12, 2008
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The first phase of Federal Hill construction is scheduled to begin in several weeks, and the developers are ready to take presale agreements starting today.

The Central North Side development will start with 23 townhouses in the 1300 block of Federal Street. Prices range from $130,000 to $230,000 for the three-bedroom homes with two off-street parking spaces. Construction is expected to be complete by November.

For qualified buyers with incomes below 80 percent of the area's median income, the Urban Redevelopment Authority can provide deferred second mortgages to reduce the cost below $100,000. Prospective buyers may contact S&A Homes or the Central Northside Neighborhood Council to become prequalified. To enter into a presale contract, buyers must be qualified by S&A Homes and submit a deposit by April 23.

More information is available from Robert Iseman at S&A Homes at 724-333-4349 or Michael Barber of the Central Northside Neighborhood Council at 412-421-7742.

EventHorizon

04-12-2008, 08:34 AM

Take a "boring" trip into the North Shore Connector Tunnel

http://kdka.com/video/?id=40169@kdka.dayport.com

Aww, how cute, our own little mini chunnel

thx for the link... I actually found it interesting :yes:

PA Pride

04-12-2008, 09:05 PM

Take a "boring" trip into the North Shore Connector Tunnel

http://kdka.com/video/?id=40169@kdka.dayport.com

Awesome footage! They've made so much progress already, I'm impressed. Someone tell those workers to make a left once they reach Stanwix Street and bore a tunnel into Oakland while they're at it!

Evergrey

04-13-2008, 05:51 AM

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08104/872488-147.stm

Getting Around: Port Authority ridership up as gasoline prices increase

Sunday, April 13, 2008
By Joe Grata, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

There are growing signs that higher energy prices are prompting changes in people's transportation habits, albeit ever so slightly, throughout Pennsylvania.

Ridership has increased at the Port Authority. Statewide, gas and diesel tax receipts have dropped, a reflection of lower fuel sales. And Pennsylvania Turnpike traffic, while up a shade, has risen less than toll road officials had forecast.

An anomaly: Downtown parking garages and lots are still posting "full" signs on weekdays despite some of the nation's highest rates.

Total bus, trolley, paratransit and incline ridership at the Port Authority went up 2.8 percent in February, to 5.2 million rides, compared to February 2007 (the statistics included an extra day because of Leap Year). On a daily basis, the biggest gain was on the T -- up 4.3 percent weekdays and 14.6 percent Saturdays.

Chief Executive Officer Steve Bland has been encouraged most by a dramatic increase in productivity, an industry measure of passengers per hour of service. A Pennsylvania Transportation Funding and Reform Commission criticized the authority in 2006 for having one of the worst productivity records among peer transit agencies.

"In my mind, that's our ridership news," Mr. Bland said of the gains.

Despite record service cuts last June and across-the-board fare hikes in January, overall productivity increased 15.2 percent in February compared to a year earlier, meaning, for example, that light-rail vehicles that averaged 57 riders per hour a year ago carried 68 riders this February. Buses gained four riders, to an average 31.7 riders per hour.

"This represents efficiency ... maximizing the return on the public's investment in transit," Mr. Bland said. "It addresses one of the main criticisms leveled against us."

The Beaver Valley Transit Authority's ridership has been on a steady rise for years, including about 10 percent this year on buses that carry commuters to Pittsburgh.

Nonetheless, the Downtown parking demand remains strong, according to Dave Onorato, director of the Pittsburgh Parking Authority, which operates nine garages and the 700-space Mon Wharf.

"We're still filling up and having a good year, although you'd think that wouldn't be the case because of the high gasoline prices," Mr. Onorato said. "We're at 97 percent capacity every day on average and 105 percent at the Oliver Garage [under the new Piatt Place]," where attendants park cars in aisles by mid-morning.

Statewide, gasoline sales that amounted to 5.2 billion gallons in the 2004-05 fiscal year dropped to 5 billion gallons by 2006-07, while diesel fuel sales have remained consistent at 1.4 billion gallons a year.

Because the statistical reports lag actual fuel sales by at least four months, they don't necessarily reflect the impacts of recent record-setting gas and diesel prices.

But for the second month in a row, up-to-date tax collections reported by the state Department of Revenue showed that receipts are down in the Motor License Fund, where liquid fuels taxes bring in the most money.

Collections totaled $193.4 million in March, $6.8 million below estimates. Collections for the fiscal year now total $1.9 billion, which is $31.4 million, or 1.6, percent below estimates.

Class 1 automobile/light truck traffic for the first two months of the year on the Pennsylvania Turnpike system averaged 402,067 a day, almost the same as last year. Daily average traffic was adjusted to account for the extra day in February this year and for two days in February 2007, when the toll road was opened for free travel after a snow emergency closed interstates and stranded thousands of people for more than 24 hours.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike statistics are consistent with those of 15 other toll road agencies surveyed by TollroadsNews, an independent publication that covers toll agencies.

"Normal annual growth is in the 1 to 1.5 percent range," its editor, Peter Samuel, wrote, "so toll traffic is showing signs of weakness from high fuel prices and the beginnings of an economic recession. But the overall numbers aren't at all dramatic."

Some motorists have already started changing their ways, including buying vehicles with better gas mileage, but how much higher will energy prices have to go before people wise up?

Are you prepared to pay $3.60 a gallon by Memorial Day?

Will gasoline have to go to $5 before you consider public transit, ride-sharing and trip consolidation?

Does "Junior" still drive to school while half-empty buses pass the house?

Do you go 75 mph in a 55 mph zone, "gun it" up hills and make jack-rabbit starts that contribute to our gluttonous fuel consumption?

Are you feeling a bit guilty?

Evergrey

04-13-2008, 06:12 AM

more on population trends... for someone who has such an excellent grasp on this nuanced issue... I'm surprised Miller titled this piece as so... he should have titled it "How can we attract people to Pittsburgh?"... which is the point of his piece. While Pittsburgh is pretty "middle-of-the-pack" when it comes to "net domestic migration" (a small loss), last time I saw numbers (a few years back)... we actually had one of the lowest rates of out-migration amongst major regions... but had an even lower rate of in-migration resulting in the small migration deficit that compounds the unique birth deficit. One of these regional economists (perhaps Briem) wrote a few weeks back that most of Pittsburgh's migration loss today is due to retirees moving to the Sunbelt (a common phenomenon with little negative impact on the region), while we are actually doing quite well with many age segments of younger adults. If 9/11 would not have had such a negative impact on international migration... perhaps we'd be closing the gap much quicker by now.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08104/872629-28.stm

Regional Insights: What can keep people from leaving Pittsburgh?

Sunday, April 13, 2008
By Harold D. Miller

The latest Census population estimates indicate that the Pittsburgh Region continued to lose population in 2007. Does this mean people are fleeing the region?

Although it's true that about 6,000 more people move out than move in each year, our rate of net domestic out-migration in 2007 was actually lower than 16 of the top 40 regions, including Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Diego and Silicon Valley. What really hurts us is that we're the only major region in the country that has more deaths than births.

Underneath the net migration numbers is a significant amount of inflow and outflow. About 35,000 to 45,000 people move into the Pittsburgh metro area from outside Pennsylvania each year (either from elsewhere in the country or overseas), so in any given year, between 1.5 percent to 2 percent of our population is new to the region and the state. Although that's a large number, it's one of the smallest percentages among the top 40 regions.

Who are these people? The Census Bureau's American Community Survey tells us a number of interesting things about them. (It should be noted that since these statistics are based on surveys, they are subject to some degree of error.)

First of all, they are predominantly young. Of the 30,000 to 35,000 people who move here each year from another state, more than half are under 30 years of age.

In fact, we rank in the top five regions in terms of the percentage of 18- to 24-year-olds among people who move here from another state. That's a clear indication that our colleges and universities are major magnets for in-migration.

In contrast, our greatest weakness is attracting people 30 to 40 years old. We rank near the bottom among the top 40 regions in the percentage of U.S. in-migrants who are in that age group.

How about international immigrants? In the past Pittsburgh ranked dead last in the rate of international immigration, but that may be starting to change. While still very low, in the past few years the rate has increased significantly and has moved ahead of places such as Cincinnati, Cleveland and St. Louis. We also have one of the highest rates of growth in our foreign-born population among major regions. That's because we're starting with such a small base (we have the smallest proportion of foreign-born people among the top 40 regions) that even our low rate of immigration increases our foreign-born population significantly.

The international immigrants we do attract are much better educated than the immigrants to other regions -- more than 60 percent of our international immigrants who are age 25 or older have a bachelor's degree or higher, the highest percentage among the top 40 regions. Our universities, hospitals and research centers probably play a major role in this.

Attracting more international immigrants is just one of our diversity challenges. Not only do we have the smallest percentage of foreign-born residents, but we also are the whitest of the top 40 regions of the country -- 89 percent of the people in the Pittsburgh MSA are white, whereas in most of the major regions, at most 70 percent are white.

While the people moving here are more diverse than our current population -- about 20 percent of the U.S. residents moving to our region from out of state are nonwhite -- they are still less diverse than the migrants to other regions (in most regions, 30 percent or more of the domestic in-migrants are nonwhite).

Clearly, we need to attract more people to the region if we're going to reverse our population decline and provide the work force our employers need. Although our current rate of in-migration is still too low, at least it's moving us in the right direction -- attracting young people, highly educated individuals and a somewhat more diverse population than we have today.

Our challenge is to make them feel welcome and to provide the job opportunities they need to stay and build roots here. If we succeed in that, it will help to attract even more people in the future.

For more insight on the region, visit www.PittsburghFuture.com and www.PittsburghToday.org.

cdc

04-13-2008, 06:59 PM

for someone who has such an excellent grasp on this nuanced issue... I'm surprised Miller titled this piece as so... he should have titled it "How can we attract people to Pittsburgh?"... which is the point of his piece.

Miller may not have done the title: see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headline

...
Headlines are generally written by copy editors, but may also be
written by the writer, the page layout designer or a news editor or
managing editor.
...

Evergrey

04-13-2008, 09:45 PM

good point... that's what I suspected myself

in fact... the title of his blog post (slightly longer than published in the PG) is "Who's Moving to Pittsburgh? And How Can We Keep More of Them Here?" (http://pittsburghfuture.blogspot.com/)

themapman

04-14-2008, 05:20 PM

Thought you all might enjoy this:
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080414/BUSINESS06/804140363

MICHIGAN: ROAD TO RECOVERY
Different city, similar story
Pittsburgh rebirth proof that Michigan's industry may not define it forever

BY KATHERINE YUNG • FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER • April 14, 2008

Part of an occasional series.

PITTSBURGH -- Few cities in America understand Detroit's economic pain better than the former steel town of Pittsburgh. But empathy isn't all it has to offer.

Pittsburgh knows what it takes to survive a massive loss of manufacturing jobs. Two decades after most of its steel mills shut down, the city has transformed itself into a diversified, service-oriented economy, albeit with a smaller population.

Its efforts to remake itself provide plenty of lessons for southeast Michigan and other areas grappling with these issues.

"The Pittsburgh economy is a healthy place," said Frank Giarratani, an economics professor at the University of Pittsburgh. "If Detroit can somehow find itself in the same place, it will be OK."

The two metropolitan areas share striking similarities.

Both long relied heavily on one industry for economic growth and ignored warnings to diversify. Both are home to strong research universities and foundations and a multitude of research and development centers. And both see their populations getting smaller and grayer.

But Pittsburgh was forced to cope with a severe economic crisis much earlier than Detroit. The outcome provides a glimpse of what may be in store for Michigan.

Today, along 2 miles of the Monongahela River, just east of downtown, former steelworkers dine and shop at the $300-million Waterfront retail, residential and office development, where U.S. Steel's flagship Homestead Works mill once stood.

Across the river to the west sit the offices and laboratories of the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse. It's playing a key role in the growth of start-up companies in fields such as medical devices, therapeutics and biotechnology tools.

And in what might be the biggest sign of change, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, the city's largest employer, is preparing to move its headquarters to the prominent U.S. Steel Tower this spring.

Thanks to expansions in health care and higher education, Pittsburgh now boasts more jobs than before the steel industry collapsed in the mid-1980s, said Chris Briem, a regional economist at the University of Pittsburgh's Center for Social & Urban Research.

"We have diversified," he said. "We feel your pain. We've been there."

Last year, venture capital investment in the Pittsburgh region was almost double the amount in Michigan, according to the PwC/NVCA MoneyTree Report. The city's technology association, the Pittsburgh Technology Council, has 1,400 members compared with 887 for Troy-based Automation Alley.
Troubles along the way

To be sure, not everything has turned out rosy.

When thousands of laid off steelworkers fled the area in search of jobs, they took their children with them. The city's population, now just more than 310,000 compared with more than 420,000 in 1980, never has recovered from the blow, and job growth has slowed in recent years.

Pittsburgh's finances also took a hit. After years of chronic budget deficits, the city has been under state oversight since the middle of 2004.

And many of the former mill workers who stayed in the area, such as Jay Weinberg, are earning less money than they would have made had the mills never gone under.

To survive, thousands of them opened their own businesses. Others juggled multiple low-paying jobs. Many of their wives went to work for the first time.

Weinberg, whose father and uncles worked in the mills, is one of the luckier ones. The ex-Homestead worker and former United Steelworkers officer serves as vice president of Maglev Inc., which is trying to bring magnetically levitated high-speed trains to the Pittsburgh area.

"I almost feel guilty for having survived so well," said the 59-year-old Pittsburgh native, who grimly recalls the suicides and mental breakdowns that followed the mill layoffs.

But the steel industry hasn't completely disappeared from Pittsburgh.

U.S. Steel still calls the city home and operates a research and development center and three manufacturing facilities in the area. The region also contains a number of thriving specialty steelmakers and steel service firms.

But the industry's share of the metropolitan area's total employment has sunk to just 1.3% from 14.5% in 1970. And Pittsburgh's steelmaking capacity now accounts for less than 4% of the country's total capacity compared with nearly 12% in 1980, Giarratani said.

"Detroit in a lot of ways has a leg up on Pittsburgh," said James Epolito, a Pittsburgh native and the chief executive of the Michigan Economic Development Corp. "We are still going to be the auto capital of the world.

"We've got to turn our present attitudes around in Michigan. We will come back, but it's not going to be overnight, and there are no quick fixes," he added.
Lessons learned

In Pittsburgh, economic and workforce development officials have gained some hard-won perspective on mistakes made and things done right in their struggle to find new sources of growth.

Some of the key lessons:

• More attention should have been paid to the importance of entrepreneurism. The Pittsburgh region lags in the rate of new businesses formed, according to Pittsburgh TODAY, an online report card about the region.

Business leaders tried to lure big companies to the area rather than creating an entrepreneurial culture, despite having universities and corporate research and development in the area, said Harold Miller, a local consultant and a former president of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development.

• Pittsburgh should have acted quicker to develop other industries that steelworkers could transition into rather than initially trying to bring the steel mills back, said Barry Maciak, director of the Center for Competitive Workforce Development at Duquesne University.

"We spent a lot of time trying to save what couldn't be saved," he said. "When it's over, sometimes it's over."

• It's worth investing in organizations that help start-up companies get off the ground.

Since 2002, the state-funded Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse has directly invested nearly $10 million in more than 45 fledgling companies involved in medical devices, therapeutics and other life science specialties. More than a dozen start-up firms also are leasing lab space at the Greenhouse at discount rates.

In addition, six senior-level life sciences executives recruited by the organization are helping 220 local life sciences companies grow their businesses.

"These former CEOs have experience these companies can't get anywhere, and if they could get it, they couldn't afford it," said John Manzetti, the Greenhouse's chief executive and president.

Since late 1999, another local organization, Innovation Works, has directly invested $37 million in 104 start-up companies in areas such as advanced materials, consumer products and electronics. A team of business advisers also works with these companies.

"You can never have too much of this really early-stage capital," said Michael Stubler, president of the Pittsburgh Venture Capital Association and managing director and cofounder of Draper Triangle Ventures.

• Vacant industrial sites and deteriorating neighborhoods can be transformed into assets.

When it became clear the steel mills weren't coming back, the city teamed up with the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, an economic development group, to buy properties, demolish the facilities and clean things up for development.

"Once you have the sites ready, you would be surprised at how much it makes a difference," said Mulugetta Birru, director of the Wayne County Economic Development Department and a former executive director of the Urban Redevelopment Authority in Pittsburgh.

Nowhere is the city's achievement more visible than at the Waterfront development located in the nearby suburb of Homestead, which is to Pittsburgh and the steel industry much like Highland Park is to Detroit and the auto industry. It reminds visitors that shuttered steel mills don't have to become permanent eyesores.

The 260-acre retail and dining destination opened in 2000 after several years of planning and development that included new roads and sewers and changing zoning rules involving three communities.

And revitalization efforts weren't limited to mill sites.

The Lawrenceville neighborhood has reinvented a lengthy portion of its once rundown main drag, Butler Street, into a thriving arts and design district with one-of-a-kind boutiques, art studios and restaurants.

To market the district, a community development group called Lawrenceville Corp. distributed more than 100,000 copies of a guidebook for shoppers. The zone now features more than 70 design-related businesses. Every April, it holds a 24-hour art show, called Art All Night, that attracts thousands.

• Don't underestimate the power of community spirit and pride.

More than anything else, Pittsburghers' devotion to their city seems to have kept it from becoming a wasteland. Those who didn't leave town when the mills closed have formed an emotional attachment to the area on par with the fierce loyalty exhibited by Pittsburgh Steelers fans across the nation.

"People love this city like no other city in the world," said Michael Madison, a University of Pittsburgh law professor who writes Pittsblog, a blog about the area.

Pittsburgh's devotees even include people such as Mike Stout, who says the city has gone downhill because of the loss of manufacturing jobs.

Like many others, Stout, 58, has learned that life doesn't stop because Big Steel leaves town. He now runs a small printing shop on Eighth Avenue in Homestead, near where the mill he once worked stood.

The former United Steelworkers grievance chairman also spends time on his singing career. He's part of a group that performs at union conventions around the world. He writes his own songs and has compiled them into CDs with titles such as "Break the Chains" and "Soldiers of Solidarity."

"Manufacturing work is what made this country what it is," he said during lunch at a seafood restaurant at the Waterfront.

Asked how it feels to be dining on the site of his former mill, he pauses and ruefully admits, "It's weird."

Then he continues eating.

Contact KATHERINE YUNG at 313-222-8763 or kyung@freepress.com.

As a Detroit native who has a lot of family in Pittsburgh, I definitely see some parallels, but there are some major differences too. Pittsburgh's topology makes new greenfield development more burdensome than it is in Detroit, which in turn encourages redevelopment in the city. Also, Detroit lacks the uniquely defined neighborhoods that Pittsburgh has. Also, Detroit carries more local and national emotional baggage. Not to mention differences in size, racial makeup, and leadership. I've always thought of St. Louis as a better comparison for Detroit, but the article still makes several good points.

Evergrey

04-14-2008, 06:50 PM

Wheeling laments that Pittsburgh has passed them by in the city-county merger race

http://www.news-register.net/page/content.detail/id/508210.html

Behind Again On Progress

The Intelligencer

At one time, Wheeling competed with Pittsburgh to be the industrial and commercial hub of our region of the country. Those days are long gone, of course. Pittsburgh surpassed Wheeling in economic development during the 19th century.

And, though Pittsburgh and surrounding Allegheny County have encountered many of the same problems that have plagued our local economy, they have continued to outpace us in economic development.

One key issue facing Wheeling and Ohio County has been cooperation in developing the economy. For many months, “metro government” has been discussed as a method of promoting such cooperation.

Wheeling City Council members already have voted to take the first step in exploring “metro government.” That is creation of a special commission to study the issue and determine whether it can be helpful here. Ohio County commissioners have not agreed to take that step, however.

Meanwhile, something similar is being discussed in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. There, a task force looking into local government and development has recommended that the city and county merge at least some operations of government. The report suggested that Pittsburgh and Allegheny County officials should have “zero tolerance” for any duplication of government services.

Allegheny County officials seem to have favored some form of what we refer to as “metro government” for some time. After reading the task force report, Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said he agrees.

Once again it appears that Pittsburgh and Allegheny County will take a step to boost their area’s economy — while our area of West Virginia lags behind. What makes that of special concern is that the two areas compete in some ways for new businesses. Pittsburgh and Allegheny County will be in the lead in terms of combining forces to develop the economy — while local officials here continue to argue about whether doing so is a good idea.

One of the advantages Pittsburgh and Allegheny County have had for many years is a willingness to look beyond doing things the same way they always have been done. Clearly, that still is a serious problem in our area.

BEST CARTOON EVER!
http://www.news-register.net/photos/news/lg/508210_1.jpg

Evergrey

04-14-2008, 07:55 PM

btw, I love that Detroit/Pittsburgh comparison article. For once an article from outside the region about Pittsburgh doesn't rely on the same old cliches. The writer did her homework by interviewing regional economists like Briem, Miller and Madison. There is a quote by "someone" in a 1991 National Geographic article titled "Pittsburgh: Stronger Than Steel"... where the person states: "Pittsburgh is the classic overachiever. It became obsolete first, and is now overcoming obsolescence first." And it's very true almost 20 years later. Pittsburgh really did precede most of the rest of the Rust Belt in severe decline(with the exception of a few minor cities like Wheeling and Johnstown)... and while that big "population loss" number still lingers... the trends underneath are quite positive... and quite distinct from most of the rest of the Rust Belt. (For example, our continued population decline is due to "legacy costs" aka natural decline as opposed to the mass exodus occuring in other Rust Belt metros.) While we have a lot of challenges ahead of us... there's a lot that the rest of the Rust Belt can learn from us concerning economic revitalization and urban redevelopment. Detroit, in particular, is beginning to hemorrhage jobs over the past few years the way Pittsburgh did in the early 80s. Pittsburgh and Detroit is a very relevant comparison (much more so than StL) economically because both have been so historically dominated by a singular heavy manufacturing industry. I don't necessary foresee Detroit's auto companies "disappearing" the way steel disappeared in Pittsburgh... but Detroit looks to be on a trend of dramatic labor input reduction. Unfortunately, Detroit does lack some of the key components that helped Pittsburgh in its restructuring... such as the educational infrastructure (MSU and UM are on the fringe... but it makes a BIG difference when they're actually located in the city). StL could probably share some similarities with Detroit... especially with disinvestment and social problems in the urban core... and it's definitely taken its economic lumps over the years... but I don't believe StL was ever defined by one industry the way Detroit and Pittsburgh have been.

http://media.freep.com/documents/freep04142008/01freep02262008.jpg

themaguffin

04-14-2008, 08:07 PM

Evergrey

04-14-2008, 08:29 PM

That's the tough thing about Pittsburgh. It's come a long way, but still has much to do.

That said, yes it's misery predates most areas in the significant amount of loss it suffered.

I feel (and I most certainly could be wrong) that Michigan if far from rock bottom. Unless the auto industry gets competitive, it will continue to suffer greatly. I found the statement in the article about "we'll always be the auto capital" to be laughable and tragically foolish and naive.

Again, I wish that region all the best, but the writing has been on the wall for a long, long time and Detroit is getting blown away by more innovative competition. Yes there are complicated disadvantages like well documented high cost healthcare plans etc, but they could lead on those issues and so many others.

Instead it's just incompetence and the people of Detroit, Lansing.. and Toledo and Dayton and so many more will be the ones who truly pay the price.

I'm quite sure there were many who said "Pittsburgh will always be the Steel Capital" back in the 1960s. I do think Detroit auto industry does have a bit of an advantage over our dead steel industry in that it's an "advanced consumer product" as opposed to a "generic raw product"... so it could retain some relevancy as it downsizes... but Detroit cannot afford to be complacent and assume it will remain the auto capital. It's already lost a ton of market share not only to foreign competitors... but to auto plants in non-traditional domestic locales in the South.

Anyways... this was a MUCH better article than those Philly Inquirer rah-rah hatchet jobs on Pittsburgh... where they got the numbers right but the conclusions/analysis wrong (same old cliches).

JackStraw

04-14-2008, 10:37 PM

Great article theMapman. My brother use to work for Maglev, and talked about Jay all the time. In fact I went to one of the Maglev Christmas parties and met him. It is funny to read quotes from him in that article.

Evergrey

04-15-2008, 05:28 AM

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_562378.html

Brazen Downtown shooting raises concern

By Jill King Greenwood
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, April 15, 2008

As police review tapes from Downtown surveillance cameras to find the gunman in a fatal shooting on Grant Street, some say they're nervous that a business district focused on attracting development might be tarnished by the image of brazen crime.

The death early Friday of McKees Rocks resident David Freeman -- outside government buildings housing the mayor's office, sheriff's deputies and other officials -- marks the second time in a year that a man has been fatally shot on a Downtown street.

"It makes you nervous to think about it, because the violence is getting closer and closer to the middle of Downtown, and it's not just on the outskirts of the city anymore," said Lynne Ferrari, marketing and design coordinator for Grant Street Associates Inc., a commercial real estate services company based in One Mellon Center.

"When you work down here every day, you think about it, and you worry."

Downtown shootings garner attention, but officials say such incidents are rare.

Since 2003, police have responded to at least four fatal shootings and four other shootings in the central business district. In contrast, during the same time period, police responded to about 350 gun assaults and 30 homicides in Homewood, making that neighborhood the city's most dangerous.

Lucas Piatt, vice president of real estate for Millcraft Industries, said police and city officials have solicited the help of business owners and developers to tackle crime issues. Millcraft Industries is master developer for planned condos, retail outlets and office space along Fifth and Forbes avenues -- a long-awaited revitalization of Downtown.

"A shooting like this is an anomaly," Piatt said. "Downtown is a safe city, and it's getting better and better every day. A lot of work has been done to clean up Market Square and the surrounding area, and violent crimes like this just aren't common Downtown."

Since mid-2005, city police and Allegheny County District Attorney's Office narcotics investigators have swarmed the square, making more than 150 drug arrests and closing two nuisance bars and a barber shop officials said was a front for drug dealing.

Police Chief Nate Harper said more than 40 city officers are trained to respond specifically to emergencies in areas such as Market Square, where many homeless people stay.

Investigators say Freeman's slaying likely was gang-related and in retaliation for an earlier shooting. Police believe the shooters, who haven't been identified, were aiming for Freeman, according to major crimes Cmdr. Thomas Stangrecki. Police are reviewing surveillance tapes from cameras installed on the outside of buildings in the area.

Freeman, 34, and two cousins visiting from North Carolina spent about an hour Friday at Art's Bar in the Strip District (EG's note: there's been at least 3 murders connected to Art's Tavern since 2006) and left about 2 a.m., police said. They were driving a rental car on Grant Street when a light-colored or silver Cadillac pulled alongside and an occupant opened fire. Their car turned onto Third Avenue and crashed into a fire hydrant.

"I think it was a crime based more on opportunity than location," Stangrecki said. "I don't think it had anything to do with Downtown or there was any intent to specifically shoot him on Grant Street."

Yet, Stangrecki says he believes criminals today are more bold than ever. He worries about the number of illegal guns available.

Many people expressed concerns about Downtown safety after a brazen daylight shooting a year ago. Jibreel Scott, 27, was gunned down on Smithfield Street in front of a day-care center on April 19 as morning commuters sought cover and ran.

"I think criminals have a lot more opportunity now because guns are so prevalent and there are many more chances to get someone you're targeting," Stangrecki said.

Mike Edwards, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, said Freeman's shooting death is "horrible" but could have happened anywhere.

"We feel awful that someone was killed, but we don't think it reflects on the safety of Downtown, as it isn't something that happens every day," Edwards said.

"What happened that night started in the Strip District and ended up Downtown. We don't think it was intentional to have that happen Downtown, but it's horrible regardless."

Jill King Greenwood can be reached at jgreenwood@tribweb.com or 412-321-2160.

UrbaniDesDev

04-15-2008, 07:42 AM

I have seen a number of major fights Downtown. I see a lot of thug looking guys along Fifth Avenue, Market Square and at the Wood Street Station. They cruise up and down Fifth Avenue. It seems better now. I think mainly because Fifth Avenue is closed to traffic due to the construction of PNCs tower & Market Square was forced to have much more police presence becuase of problems there. There is no question in my mind of the gang activity that was along Fifth. The closing of some of the baggy pants/bling stores that lined it are a blessing and a sign that things are changing.

Evergrey

04-15-2008, 08:05 AM

JackStraw

04-15-2008, 12:06 PM

Our downtown has ways to go before showing improvement. When I heard about this shooting on Friday, I it again pissed me off. Not only at it possibly halting downtown improvements (as people WANTING to shop and live there make it important), but the lack of value thugs pose on life. When I lived in Philly, I remember somebody spraying bullets at a father picking his kid up at a school, a fucking school........... I remember moving back to Pittsburgh last year about this time hearing about that little shit teen that shot at his father who was walking his god damn baby, hitting the baby.

It is shit like this that gets JackStraw in rants...

themaguffin

04-15-2008, 02:31 PM

I'm quite sure there were many who said "Pittsburgh will always be the Steel Capital"

I don't doubt it. It seems evident that was part of the neglect etc that didn't help the looming situation.

I do think Detroit auto industry does have a bit of an advantage over our dead steel industry in that it's an "advanced consumer product" as opposed to a "generic raw product"... so it could retain some relevancy as it downsizes...

That is true. There will be an auto industry in Detroit. Even a GM half the size of its glory days is one huge company.

PittPenn 03

04-15-2008, 02:35 PM

Why is Wood Street Station such a den of scum and villainy? That should be one of our greatest points... right in the heart of it all... I blame it partly on the cluster of awful fast food chains clustered there

Yes - that area is full of the scum of the earth - lowest of the low drug addicted trash I have ever seen. I remember when that Dunkin Donuts was open they would all hang out in there and spew the most vile racist, homophobic trash talking I have ever heard (I kind of have a feeling that was why they shut Dunkin Donuts down - because it always nearly had a line out the door. I think the owner was tired of dealing with them.) It was an embarrassment not only to the city of Pittsburgh, but to humanity in general that people like this exist. I think there is a halfway house somewhere on that block that brings this absolutely useless trash into that area. I do not know where it would be fair to move it, but it certainly is not serving Pittsburgh well by having it in such a prominent area.

marinog

04-15-2008, 02:40 PM

Yes - that area is full of the scum of the earth - lowest of the low drug addicted trash I have ever seen. I remember when that Dunkin Donuts was open they would all hang out in there and spew the most vile racist, homophobic trash talking I have ever heard (I kind of have a feeling that was why they shut Dunkin Donuts down - because it always nearly had a line out the door. I think the owner was tired of dealing with them.) It was an embarrassment not only to the city of Pittsburgh, but to humanity in general that people like this exist. I think there is a halfway house somewhere on that block that brings this absolutely useless trash into that area. I do not know where it would be fair to move it, but it certainly is not serving Pittsburgh well by having it in such a prominent area.

Why dont we move it to Cranberry??? :banana:

JackStraw

04-15-2008, 02:46 PM

no, you give them free bus tickets to Denver.................

cdc

04-15-2008, 03:01 PM

News on Pitt's latest capital improvment projects. These guys keep
busy...

Pitt board OKs $120 million in projects
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_562365.html

Benedum Hall would get a $64.3 million facelift as part of
$120 million in building and renovation projects at the University of
Pittsburgh that received initial approval Monday.
...

PA Pride

04-15-2008, 05:55 PM

Reading the articles on Pitt's Engineering School Renovation inspired me to find before and after photos.

here's what the Swanson School of Engineering currently looks like:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b2/BenedumPitt.jpg/300px-BenedumPitt.jpg

And here's what the new external glass and steel addition will look like:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/austindaniel/pittengineeringaddition.jpg

JackStraw

04-15-2008, 06:00 PM

Evergrey

04-15-2008, 06:14 PM

Too bad it most likely is designed by Penn State Engineers :haha:

dem's fightin' words!

tooluther

04-15-2008, 06:45 PM

Why is Wood Street Station such a den of scum and villainy? That should be one of our greatest points... right in the heart of it all... I blame it partly on the cluster of awful fast food chains there

Its because the Wood Street Station is the transfer point of almost all the bus routes. Those of us who aren't completely reliant on public transportation generally forget than there are a lot of people who come into town just to transfer back out to other neighborhoods.

themapman

04-15-2008, 08:09 PM

Pittsburgh and Detroit is a very relevant comparison (much more so than StL) economically because both have been so historically dominated by a singular heavy manufacturing industry. I don't necessary foresee Detroit's auto companies "disappearing" the way steel disappeared in Pittsburgh... but Detroit looks to be on a trend of dramatic labor input reduction. Unfortunately, Detroit does lack some of the key components that helped Pittsburgh in its restructuring... such as the educational infrastructure (MSU and UM are on the fringe... but it makes a BIG difference when they're actually located in the city). StL could probably share some similarities with Detroit... especially with disinvestment and social problems in the urban core... and it's definitely taken its economic lumps over the years... but I don't believe StL was ever defined by one industry the way Detroit and Pittsburgh have been.

Definitely the education infrastructure is sorely missing in Detroit - Wayne State is an up and coming university for both academics and research but it does not compare in the least to a UM/MSU or Pitt/CMU combo. Yes, both Detroit and Pittsburgh were one-industry towns, but in many ways so was StL - agricultural processing dominated the city, especially on the Illinois side where it was easier to build and pollute. That shift happened a lot earlier in StL than it did in Detroit or Pittsburgh. They're all river towns that became industrial centers, and are going through painful deindustralization. However I find it hard to overlook the topography argument for Pittsburgh - unlike Detroit (or here in Dallas), there isn't an endless prairie to build upon. New construction is painful in western PA, which is why I think redevelopment has occurred more quickly. Plus Pittsburgh (and StL, and Cincinnati as well) all have a much more diverse housing stock than Detroit's endless blocks of single family bungalows. Nevertheless as the son of a Pittsburgh native (and Steelers fan since a) the Lions suck and will continue to suck, b) my dad loves them and c) I went to Miami when Big Ben was there) I am so pleased with the progress the city has made.

I feel (and I most certainly could be wrong) that Michigan if far from rock bottom. Unless the auto industry gets competitive, it will continue to suffer greatly. I found the statement in the article about "we'll always be the auto capital" to be laughable and tragically foolish and naive.

Again, I wish that region all the best, but the writing has been on the wall for a long, long time and Detroit is getting blown away by more innovative competition. Yes there are complicated disadvantages like well documented high cost healthcare plans etc, but they could lead on those issues and so many others.

Instead it's just incompetence and the people of Detroit, Lansing.. and Toledo and Dayton and so many more will be the ones who truly pay the price.

Michigan goes in cycles - the problem lies in the fact that each high is lower than the previous one, and each lower is lower still. The automobile industry will always be a major part of the local economy, but I am sure we will see the day when there are few if any vehicles actually made in Michigan, at least by the Big 3 and the UAW. Cars will continue to be a major consumer product, and they are much more complicated than steel. I think the American companies can get their shit together and that the industry will remain prominent in the Detroit region.

Anyways, back to your regularly scheduled Pittsburgh thread :)

UrbaniDesDev

04-16-2008, 01:13 AM

Evergrey

04-16-2008, 06:06 AM

this is gonna be huge

$15M Federal Hill starts pre-sales, new homes coming to Pittsburgh's North Side

http://www.popcitymedia.com/galleries/Default/Dev%20News/Issue%20106/federalhillRDA_300.jpg

Pre-sales for Federal Hill, a long-awaited housing initiative on Pittsburgh’s North Side, have begun.

Developed by the Central Northside Neighborhood Council (CNNC) and S&A Homes, the $15 million three-phase project will include 60 new three-story homes. Construction on the first phase will begin within five weeks.

“It’s going to mean an incredible change. The area will suddenly be a boulevard instead of being blighted,” says Joan Kimmel, with the CNNC, who along with neighborhood residents began planning the homes 10 years ago and worked collaboratively with Rothschild Doyno Architects. "Having those houses parading up the street is going to transform the area. People won’t will feel the same about the North Side."

The first phase's 23 units will be constructed along the 1300 block of Federal St. right near the area's North Ave. corridor, which is slated for redevelopment. Four unit styles, including the Jacksonian and Jeffersonian, will reflect the neighborhood’s traditional town homes. Three-bedroom homes ranging in size from 1,430 to 2,350 square feet will feature off-street parking, modern amenities, rear yards, and deck or porch options. Prices range from $130,000 to $230,000.

“You can’t find a new home for that price that anywhere, especially with the URA’s second mortgage deferment program,” says Robert Iseman, with S&A Homes. “We already have eighty-four interested people."

Part of a larger revitalization effort that includes residential, retail and offices, Federal Hill will also feature a new tree-lined median strip and streetscape improvements. Homes will be located within walking distance to the new Allegheny Branch of Carnegie Library, museums, Downtown and Allegheny Commons Park.

For sales information, go here.

Writer: Jennifer Baron
Sources: Joan Kimmel, CNNC; Robert Iseman, S&A Homes

Image courtesy Rothschild Doyno Architects

...

small but interesting development... and perhaps a harbinger of things to come for the Children's Hospital District

http://www.popcitymedia.com/developmentnews/penn0416.aspx

$800K townhouse project under construction at 5000 Penn in Bloomfield-Garfield

http://www.popcitymedia.com/galleries/Default/Dev%20News/Issue%20106/5000pennave_300.jpg

This afternoon at 2:00p.m., ground will be broken on 5000 Penn Avenue, a new townhouse development being constructed in Pittsburgh’s Bloomfield-Garfield neighborhood.

Situated at a highly visible lot located at the corner of Penn Ave. and Gross St., the $800,000 project represents a key development piece within the ongoing revitalization of the Penn Avenue Arts corridor, which stretches from Friendship to East Liberty, and is home to numerous arts venues, restaurants, studios, and businesses.

Developed by Friendship Development Associates (FDA), which purchased the lot in 1999, the project will feature three new loft-style townhouses. Units will include nine-foot ceilings, garages, washer/dryer hookups, and efficient heating and cooling systems. Buyer upgrades will be available. The market-rate lofts will range in price from $180,000 to $208,000.

"This site will be prime for new employees who will be working at Children’s Hospital and coming from all over the country. It will create more walkablity; you can walk from this development to Children's in twelve minutes,” says Dr. Howard Slaughter, Jr., with Landmarks Community Capital Corporation, which contributed $462,000 in equity investment. "This continues the development and stabilization of that thoroughfare, where thousands of vehicles drive. You’re beginning to see more loft-style housing, which we can lofters, in urban markets. It's a great prototype for others that will be built in the city.”

Project architect is Hammer-Mann Designwerks; contractor is TEAM Construction. The project’s façade was designed to be integrated within the neighborhood’s main street corridor. 5000 Penn Avenue is also supported by the URA, Pittsburgh Partnership for Neighborhood Development and the Community Design Center of Pittsburgh.

Writer: Jennifer Baron
Source: Dr. Howard Slaughter, Jr. LCCC; Sarah Collins, FDA

..

http://www.popcitymedia.com/developmentnews/ppuy0416.aspx

Point Park to purchase 96,000 sf Downtown Pittsburgh YMCA property for $3.8M

http://www.popcitymedia.com/galleries/Default/Dev%20News/Issue%20106/ymca_300.jpg

Point Park University is set to add a new property to its Downtown portfolio. The university is purchasing The YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh’s 96,000-square-foot facitlity located at 330 Boulevard of the Allies.

One of Downtown Pittsburgh's largest property owners, Point Park is expected to close on the $3.8 million sale by May 15. “We’re continuing the master space planning process and looking at a variety of uses for the YMCA,” says Mary Ellen Solomon, with Point Park University. “It’s a perfect extension for Point Park and positions us to better meet the needs of our students and enhance our particular area of the Downtown neighborhood.”

In May, Point Park will announce its new campus-wide development plan. Last fall, a panel of Urban Land Institute experts facilitated local input and provided recommendations for Point Park's future development, including endorsing the university's plan to purchase the YMCA as part of a comprehensive effort to enhance and concentrate campus activity within Downtown’s Wood St. corridor. Since 2004, Point Park—which currently serves 3,592 undergraduate and graduate students—has seen a thirteen-percent enrollment increase.

In early 2009, the YMCA will open a new 38,000-square-foot facility in a former G.C. Murphy store as part of Millcraft Industries’ Market Square Place development. The full-service Y will feature a 25-meter 5-lane pool, wellness facilities, cardiovascular and strength equipment, and exercise rooms. The site will employ wellness professionals and offer an extensive menu of classes and services. This summer, the YMCA will also open a U.S. Steel Tower facility Downtown.

Writer: Jennifer Baron
Source: Mary Ellen Solomon, senior director, marketing and communications, Point Park University

Image courtesy YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh

JackStraw

04-16-2008, 01:23 PM

That is great news about the north side, while this is all great news with the townhomes in Bloomfield and Garfield, but I really like the news about the North Side. I am routign for that area to become lively and awesome again. It is just incredible a urban area with such beauty could have gone so far down.

There is a house that I see on North Ave, very close to the MWS areas that is being regentified into a cool looking apartment condo building it seems. Does anybody know what I am talking about? The architect have a rendering on a sign of what it will look like under completion, and the old building is pretty much staying, but going to look 100 times better.

cdc

04-16-2008, 01:39 PM

Why is it so hard for PAT engineers to come up with a budget that
actually reflects current cost patterns? They know costs are rising,
so how come they end up so far off the mark?

Subway bids are budget busters

Low bid for second contract for light-rail extension is more than 50% over earlier estimate

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08107/873655-53.stm

The apparent low bid for the second contract on the Port
Authority's light-rail extension project came in at $48.9 million
yesterday, well over budget.
...

Evergrey

04-18-2008, 01:21 AM

http://kdka.com/kdkainvestigators/Pittsburgh.tow.pound.2.702627.html

City Of Pittsburgh To Privatize Tow Pound

Reporting
Andy Sheehan

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― The KDKA Investigators have learned the City of Pittsburgh plans to privatize the city's vehicle pound in the Strip District.

The city submitted requests for proposals today.

City officials hope the prospective buyer will move the tow pound out of the city, allowing for riverfront development.

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl plans to do a walking tour of the tow pound tomorrow at 9 a.m.

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

Evergrey

04-18-2008, 06:11 AM

Grubb & Ellis 1st quarter market trends

available at: http://www.grubbandellis.com/research/reports.aspx

Office:

Despite Recession Fears Market Maintains Positive Trend

Pittsburgh office vacancy continued to decline, falling to 16.6% at the end of 2007 to 15.8%. CBD office vacancy fell to 18.1%. Pittsburgh market 495,000 sq. ft. in the 1st quarter, with 67,000 absorbed in the CBD. Oakland's vacancy remains the region's lowest at 8.3%, but saw negative absorption of 8,000 sq. ft. The Fringe, which includes most of the urban core outside the CBD and Oakland, was the most active submarket... absorbing 262,000 sq. ft. and seeing its vacancy fall to 15.3%.

There is 2,190,000 sq. ft. of office space under construction in the Pittsburgh market. 320,000 of that is in the CBD (Three PNC) and 160,000 in Oakland (Bridgeside II), with no construction in the Fringe. Almost half of that total is in the North submarket, where Westinghouse is relocating to a huge complex.

Class A asking rent for Pittsburgh Market increased during the quarter by $0.18. In the CBD, it increased by $0.35 to $24.96 per sq. ft.

A number of large companies have been active in the CBD, including: Heinz, UPMC, Siemens Power Generation and Equitable Resrouces. The Union Trust was sold and the new owners are renovating it.

The forecast is for Pittsburgh's office market to remain active over the next 6 months.

...

Industrial:
Seasonal Slowdown or Recession?

The region's industrial vacancy rate declined from 7.7% at year end 2007 to 7.6%. The market had a net absorption of 197,000 sq. ft. The urban core's vacancy rate declined to 7.7% with 64,000 sq. ft. of absorption. Beaver County remains the weakest industrial submarket with a vacancy of 12%. There is 225,000 sq. ft. of industrial space u/c in the Pittsburgh market.

cdc

04-18-2008, 03:18 PM

the show must go on!

Transit chief: Light-rail project must go forward
Cost overruns beset N. Shore extension
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08109/874448-53.stm

Port Authority Chief Executive Officer Steve Bland says not
finishing the 1.2-mile light-rail extension to the North Shore "is not
a viable option."
...

PA Pride

04-18-2008, 03:24 PM

the show must go on!

Transit chief: Light-rail project must go forward
Cost overruns beset N. Shore extension
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08109/874448-53.stm

I think it's a good idea to stop construction of the tunnels. Then we can have never-completed-subway tours like Cincinnati!! It will be a tourist attraction.

BANKofMANHATTAN

04-18-2008, 04:20 PM

I hope they knock a couple of windows in the ol' YMCA building - I used to work there - it's pretty dismal!

Where exactly are those new houses on the North Side going to be located?

hyperion1110

04-18-2008, 05:17 PM

:previous: If I understand correctly, in the best possible place. The main drag should be along Federal Street, on the other side of North Ave as West Park. For those familiar with the area, it is just up the street from Pasta Too, and just a few blocks from the Garden Theater.

Once this development is in place, and the Garden and surrounding buildings are renovated, it will be a stunning transformation. If all goes to plan, the area will go from terrible blight to stunning.

The next major project for the area should be to fix North Ave. For as busy as that road is, it's in a horrible state of disrepair!

Johnland

04-19-2008, 12:18 AM

Today's observations:

1) Yes, hopefully a little renovation can be done on the fortress-like YMCA building to open up some windows on that drab exterior.

2) Great news for the Strip to have the Tow Pound relocated away and open up redevelopment possiblilties for that neighborhood.

3) Not surprised to see Barden welch out on his promise to aid the Hill now that he has his license to print money in the bag. That was obviously a ploy just to cinch the deal.

diesel21

04-19-2008, 05:26 AM

I'm not surprised to see Barden back out either, especially with the news that his other casinos are hemorrhaging money as of late

Evergrey

04-19-2008, 05:42 AM

I like the higher branches idea...

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08110/874820-53.stm

Public to have say in ideas for Market Square

Firm hired to revitalize block

Saturday, April 19, 2008
By Mark Belko, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Imagine Market Square as an European-style piazza with more outdoor dining and dramatic lighting, or maybe as an oasis with lots of trees and grass, in keeping with the square's original use as a pasture.

Or perhaps a simple update is in order, with more outdoor dining and larger trees with higher branches to open up the square.

Those are the latest ideas for transforming the city's oldest public square, one undergoing a resurgence with a crackdown on illicit activity and new restaurants moving in.

The concepts were developed by Dina Klavon Design Associates Inc., a local landscape architectural firm hired by city planners to bring more life, both literally and figuratively, to Market Square.

They incorporate recommendations made in the Project for Public Spaces study done in 2006, feedback from Market Square merchants and the public, and steps taken by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, such as adding tables and outdoor heaters, to enliven the real estate.

The public will get a chance to comment on the proposals at a meeting at 5 p.m. May 5 at the Harris Theater on Liberty Avenue. The plans are available for viewing at www.DowntownPittsburgh.com.

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and the Downtown Partnership hope to select a design and seek bids by the end of the summer. Construction could start in the fall or early next year. Cost estimates for each plan range from $3.2 million to $5 million.

"I think they're pretty powerful ideas," said Mike Edwards, president and chief executive officer of the Downtown Partnership. "What we've noticed is that some of the buzz in Market Square these days is in anticipation of some of these changes."

All three plans would block traffic on Forbes from cutting directly through the square. Vehicles would be forced around the square and then back onto Forbes. All three proposals are based on buses being removed from the square altogether, which is expected to happen on May 15.

In addition, under all three concepts, parking would be eliminated along the inside lanes within the square and the sidewalks extended to add more dining space.

The first plan, described as "Minimal" would trim back the marble risers that tend to separate the square into four quadrants, while the two others would eliminate them altogether, creating vast tracts of open space.

In one plan, dubbed "Oasis," Market Street would be closed to traffic through the square and both it and Forbes Avenue would be raised a few inches to create a more level space. In the third plan, called "Historic," the other streets within the square also would be raised, allowing for one grand space.

"This creates the piazza that many people have been asking for and talking about," Mr. Edwards said.

The Historic plan also would use pavers and lighting to trace the original exact footprint of the former Market House that once occupied the space and also would identify old vendor stalls. LED up-light technology would be used to highlight the historic elements and help to illuminate the square at night.

The Oasis plan would add more grass and new, larger trees to serve as a canopy. Both the Oasis and Historic plans also would move the stage from its current position near 1902 Tavern to the other side in front of PPG Place.
Mark Belko can be reached at mbelko@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1262.

Evergrey

04-21-2008, 05:08 AM

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_563472.html

Point State Park upgrade takes form]

By F.A. Krift
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Monday, April 21, 2008

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/photos/2008-04-20/0421ppark-a.jpg
A partial opening of Point State Park in June will give visitors about 10 to 12 acres of usable space close to Downtown. Still, work goes on and two events traditionally based in the park, the Three Rivers Regatta and the Three Rivers Arts Festival, will be held elsewhere this summer.
Philip G. Pavely/Tribune-Review

Point State Park's new sod is taking root. New metallic benches are in place. Electrical work is nearly done, and spring buds are sprouting.

Developers see the park's renovation as the legacy of Pittsburgh's 250th anniversary celebration, as a world-class upgrade and as a future green haven for urban dwellers.

"It's going to be bright. It's going to be shiny. It's going to be new," Bureau of State Parks Director John Norbeck said. "It's going to be an attraction more so than it's ever been."

A partial opening of the park is planned in early June, Riverlife Task Force Executive Director Lisa Schroeder said.

This "soft opening" will give visitors this summer about 10 to 12 acres of usable space close to Downtown that will be ready for the American Eagle Outfitters Tour of Pennsylvania bike race on June 29, said Chris Novak, spokeswoman for the Conservation and Natural Resources Department.

"We can hold as many people in the front of the park as we could in the entire park previously," said Ed Patton, the Riverlife Task Force's director of capital projects.

The rest of the park will remain behind a chain-link fence. Planting in woodland areas bordering the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers will be completed this year, Patton said. This area will be open to the public in 2009, but renovations on the fountain won't be completed until October 2010.

Two major events traditionally based in Point State Park will be elsewhere this summer.

The Three Rivers Regatta chose the North Shore between Heinz Field and PNC Park as home for the July 4 celebration.

"In terms of crowd control, water accessibility and parking, I'm not certain that Point State Park is quite ready for us," Three Rivers Regatta chairman John Bonassi said. "We would have been the first major group using the park. We thought under the circumstances that it would make more sense to use the North Shore."

The Three Rivers Arts Festival will be at locations Downtown instead of in the park, festival communications manager Lauren Bracey said.

The park closed in fall 2006 as the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources with the Riverlife Task Force, the city and Allegheny Conference on Community Development began a $35 million overhaul.

The renovations won't expand the size of the 36-acre park but will increase the amount of usable space. By filling in Fort Pitt's Music Bastion, for instance, planners opened a 4-acre area for recreation.

"The city side of the park will be the new green living room for Downtown," Schroeder said.

Riverlife Task Force officials want Point State Park to become a recreational destination for Downtown residents and workers as well as being linked to Three Rivers Park, a connected loop of trails and green space running along the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers.

Although the focal point of the city, Point State Park had outdated infrastructure that could barely handle the demands of major celebrations. The fountain was unreliable. The trees and flowers, which distinguished the park from the Downtown skyline, were unhealthy, according to the park renovation's Web site.

"It's a beautiful park from a distance," Schroeder said, "but it wasn't a very people place."

No longer, officials hope.

More native trees will be planted. Plans include planting 60,000 perennials and installing benches, bike racks, better lighting and terrazzo walkways edged with bluestone.

Accessible utility hookups for street vendors will untangle the messy wiring system that clogged the park during past events. An irrigation system will keep the landscaping healthy, Patton said, and the green space will be more open for play.

Norbeck said the historical interpretive plan will be written by this summer. The plan in the park's city side will be installed in October, Schroeder said

Later, the park will be connected to the Mon Wharf through a causeway and a bike path and on the Allegheny River side to its riverfront parks.

The Regatta wants to use the park when it's ready for bigger events, Bonassi said, possibly for concerts, hot air balloon releases, face painting and other activities.

Dollar Bank Jamboree officials are confident that Point State Park's new city side will be ready for that July 26 event, said Joseph B. Smith, Dollar Bank senior vice president of marketing.

"We think that we shouldn't have any problem," he said.

F.A. Krift can be reached at bkrift@tribweb.com or 412-380-5644.

Evergrey

04-21-2008, 05:11 AM

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_563473.html

Boaters to get docks at SouthSide Works

By Allison M. Heinrichs
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Monday, April 21, 2008

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/photos/2008-04-20/0421pdocks-a.jpg
An architectural rendering of the South Shore Riverfront Park, where the SouthSide Works meets the Monongahela River, shows where plans have a 525-foot tie-up facility going for recreational boaters.
Environmental Planning & Design, LLC

Boaters cruising the three rivers soon could cap a day on the water by taking in a movie and dinner at SouthSide Works.

Today or Tuesday the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is expected to accept a $1.35 million federal grant to build a 525-foot tie-up facility for recreational boaters, accommodating as many as 17 docks along the Monongahela River bordering the former steelmaking site.

"This is going to be great, not only for Pittsburgh boaters, but for out-of-town boaters," said Terry Grantz of Shaler, who runs the Web site boatpittsburgh.com. "It would absolutely be a welcome way to encourage boating in the region."

The docks are part of a $10.5 million plan to bring river access back to the South Side after it was lost to the steel industry more than a century ago.

"One of the things that the community wanted out of the SouthSide Works when the mill went away was access to the riverfront again," said Rick Belloli, executive director of the South Side Local Development Co.

In addition to docks, a portion of a concrete river wall will be removed, crushed and recycled to regrade the shore so people can walk to the river. Bicyclists could ride from the shoreline to Pittsburgh's trail system. The site would be handicap-accessible and historic parts of the former mill would be retained.

"These are quality-of-life amenities that encourage and really promote residents and visitors to enjoy one of our city's greatest assets, which are the rivers," said Christine Fulton, vice president of public finance and external communications for DOC Economou, which is developing a hotel and condominiums at SouthSide Works. "That's really what it's all about."

Work on the park is expected to begin this year, with dock construction beginning near the end of 2009.

At least initially, boaters probably won't be charged to use the docks, said Angelo Taranto, assistant director of economic development for the city Urban Redevelopment Authority.

In addition to the federal grant, money for the project is coming from state, philanthropic and private sources, including The Heinz Endowments, Richard King Mellon Foundation and the energy company NiSource.

The federal money is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service "users pay, users benefit" initiative that comes from taxes on boats, boating equipment and motor boat fuel, said Alberto Ortiz, grants coordinator for the northeast region, which includes Pennsylvania.

It is the largest grant of its type that Pennsylvania has received, said Scott Bollinger, boating facilities grants coordinator for the state Fish and Boat Commission.

Allegheny County averages 27,600 boat registrations each year, the highest in the state, according to the commission. Because more than 1,500 recreational boats used the three locks that access the Pittsburgh pool in 2006, the URA projects a steady stream of boaters using the tie-up facility, with a turnover of as many as five times a day during boating season.

Pittsburgh REI, which overlooks the Monongahela River at SouthSide Works, expects the docks to increase store traffic.

"We sell kayaks and you'll be able to kayak right to the store, so it's fantastic," store manager Ron Rodriguez said. "It's a whole other way to get to the SouthSide Works, which is great, and I think it will bring more people to the shoreline."

Allison M. Heinrichs can be reached at aheinrichs@tribweb.com or 412-380-5607.

Johnland

04-22-2008, 12:15 AM

What happened to the Construction thread for 3 PNC? Am I missing it?

PA Pride

04-22-2008, 01:54 AM

What happened to the Construction thread for 3 PNC? Am I missing it?

Here it is! http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=128291&page=3&highlight=pittsburgh

Apparently, we are next looking forward to Jackstraw giving us a photo update on Friday. :tup:

Evergrey

04-22-2008, 05:22 AM

could this whole process be bungled any more?

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08113/875376-53.stm

Mayor hopes to chat with casino owner about $3 million pledge

Tuesday, April 22, 2008
By Rich Lord, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl hopes to meet with casino owner Don Barden as soon as tomorrow in an effort to ensure that $3 million in development money pledged to the Hill District remains available for use in the city.

Last week, Mr. Barden filed a petition with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board asking permission to eliminate a pledge in his casino license application to put $3 million over three years into development in the Hill.

"I just want to have a conversation with him about some of the amendments that he proposed, just make sure that the interests of the taxpayers are protected in these discussions," Mr. Ravenstahl said. "I would anticipate that in some way, shape or form, if his proposal is not to use the $3 million in the Hill District, that it will be used in some capacity in the city of Pittsburgh."

Ed Fasulo, the Majestic Star Casino general manager in Pittsburgh, could not be reached for comment.

Mr. Barden had expected to be involved in what was then a proposed $350 million development adjacent to the new $290 million Penguins arena in the Hill District. Now the Penguins are leading that development push.

Mr. Ravenstahl said he assumes Mr. Barden will take the position that his $3 million pledge was "contingent upon [Mr. Barden having] development rights, which we know didn't happen, but that's a discussion we'll have."

Pittsburgh Councilwoman Tonya Payne, who represents the Hill, couldn't see a good reason for withdrawing the $3 million pledge.

"He's got the [casino] license, so he should have to live up to his commitments, right?" she said. "I think a promise made should be a promise kept. If he made a promise to the Hill District, he should keep that money in the Hill District."

She said that even if Mr. Barden doesn't want to give $3 million to a development with which he's not involved, there are plenty of other good uses for the money.

"All the social services in the Hill, housing development, commercial development -- there's a whole host of things it could be used for," she said.

Mr. Ravenstahl said that uncertainty about the $3 million should not derail efforts to reach an agreement with Hill District groups regarding guaranteed neighborhood benefits stemming from the arena.

"I think the discussions that we're having with the Hill District community are going well, and hopefully we'll be able to reach a community benefits agreement in the very near future," he said. "None of those discussions centered on, nor included, discussion about this $3 million."

It is up to the gaming control board to rule on Mr. Barden's request to amend terms of his application. His Pittsburgh entity, PITG Gaming LLC, expects to open the Majestic Star Casino on the North Shore next year.
Rich Lord can be reached at rlord@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1542.