[PittPenn 03]

http://pittsburgh.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2009/01/19/daily55.html

Thursday, January 22, 2009, 2:46pm EST | Modified: Thursday, January 22, 2009, 4:28pm

Moody's: Pittsburgh's commercial real estate market tops 100 other metros

Pittsburgh Business Times - by Ben Semmes

Pittsburgh’s residential real estate market isn’t the only one bucking the nationwide downward trend.

The area’s commercial real estate market outranked every other major metropolitan area in the country in the fourth quarter of last year, according to a recent report from credit rating agency Moody’s Investors Service.

The report, which focused on the office, apartment, and hospitality markets, gave Pittsburgh an overall average score of 77 out of 100 based on vacancy rates and other factors.

“Today, top credit experts have once again told the world that Pittsburgh’s steady growth continues to shine during these tough economic times,” said Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl in a statement.

Oklahoma City, 74, San Francisco, 74, Honolulu, 72, and Los Angeles, 68, rounded out the top five markets.

Riverside, Calif., 36, Jacksonville, 33, Trenton, N.J., 33, Detroit, 26, and Phoenix, 24, were the lowest scoring markets.

[dugdogmaster]

MAYOR INTRODUCES BIKE RACK LEGISLATION


Woot!

[dugdogmaster]

Moody's: Pittsburgh's commercial real estate market tops 100 other metros



And double the woot!:banana:

[Valsek]

This just came across my desk, figured I'd share with you folks...

PRESS RELEASE

MAYOR INTRODUCES BIKE RACK LEGISLATION
New ordinance, based on best practices, reinforces commitment to the cycling community


PITTSBURGH (January 22, 2009) Mayor Luke Ravenstahl today introduced legislation to City Council that makes it easier for property and business owners to install bicycle racks in the public right-of-way by simplifying the application process.


That's fantastic! Thanks for sharing. Can't wait for it to get warm out again and go riding. Will be nice to have more options to lock up our bikes.

[deja vu]

I second that!

[Evergrey]

http://pittsburgh.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2009/01/19/daily55.html

Thursday, January 22, 2009, 2:46pm EST | Modified: Thursday, January 22, 2009, 4:28pm

Moody's: Pittsburgh's commercial real estate market tops 100 other metros

Pittsburgh Business Times - by Ben Semmes

Pittsburgh’s residential real estate market isn’t the only one bucking the nationwide downward trend.

The area’s commercial real estate market outranked every other major metropolitan area in the country in the fourth quarter of last year, according to a recent report from credit rating agency Moody’s Investors Service.

The report, which focused on the office, apartment, and hospitality markets, gave Pittsburgh an overall average score of 77 out of 100 based on vacancy rates and other factors.

“Today, top credit experts have once again told the world that Pittsburgh’s steady growth continues to shine during these tough economic times,” said Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl in a statement.

Oklahoma City, 74, San Francisco, 74, Honolulu, 72, and Los Angeles, 68, rounded out the top five markets.

Riverside, Calif., 36, Jacksonville, 33, Trenton, N.J., 33, Detroit, 26, and Phoenix, 24, were the lowest scoring markets.

Moody's ranked us in the Bottom 10 ("red light") back in 2005... how the world has turned upside down in a few short years, eh Moody's?

anybody got a link to the ranking?

[Valsek]

Office building would be continent's third highest
Commerce Center to rise 1,510 feet, the tallest in Philly; developer hopes to start this year
Sunday, January 25, 2009
By Tom Barnes, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The $1.1 billion project, with 2.2 million square feet of space, would combine more than 60 floors of offices with about 26 stories of hotel rooms, plus several floors for utilities and some retail space, such as a department store, a theater and possibly a supermarket on the lower floors.

"I think Philadelphia is starting to recognize that for it to grow and mature as a city, it needs to go vertical," Mr. Miller said in a recent interview. "The blending of old and new creates an exciting and dynamic contrast."

"Density is a good thing," he said, referring to putting a lot of people on a small footprint of land in a city. "Cities should build tall buildings. They are symbols of human progress, and a source of pride for cities."

"Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are the economic engines of Pennsylvania," he said. "The Legislature should be focused on helping cities thrive and grow. That's a good thing."

Harrisburg Bureau Chief Tom Barnes can be reached at tbarnes@post-gazette.com or 1-717-787-4254.
First published on January 25, 2009 at 12:00 am

Any chance for a new signature tower in Pittsburgh anytime soon? Where could/should it be located???

[Johnland]

Any chance for a new signature tower in Pittsburgh anytime soon? Where could/should it be located???

One location, IMO, that should get a new, beautifully designed building is the property currently occupied by what I believe is the Post-Gazette building. If you look at the Point, it's a low rise building next to the former Westinghouse Bldg.

I mark it as a candidate because, while it is a vintage building underneath, the current exterior is worthless to the cityscape. Its prominent and highly visible location facing Point Park and approach to the city from the tunnel make it the place to put up a sharp, modern new design building that would become part of the city's image. And actually, it would be good if it were residential.

[Minivan Werner]

The long-term development plan for the Mellon Arena site calls for 1.1 million sq. ft. of commercial space.. That could conceivably be a 40-50 story building. There's also a pretty big parking lot near the Human Services Building along 1st Ave that could support a mid-sized high-rise.

[Valsek]

Its prominent and highly visible location facing Point Park and approach to the city from the tunnel make it the place to put up a sharp, modern new design building that would become part of the city's image. And actually, it would be good if it were residential.

I have to agree with you. Pittsburgh is extremely lucky to have the so-called "Grand Entrance" when you approach from the tunnels. It would be nice to have something striking in that location. (Although I was initially thinking more along ther lines of creating something from a parking lot area).

More residential would also be a good thing. I found it interesting that the article in the PG about the new tower in Philadelphia mentioned the possibility of having a grocery store incorporated into the plans.

[Valsek]

The long-term development plan for the Mellon Arena site calls for 1.1 million sq. ft. of commercial space.. That could conceivably be a 40-50 story building. There's also a pretty big parking lot near the Human Services Building along 1st Ave that could support a mid-sized high-rise.

How "long-term" are their plans? Are we talking in 5 years? 10years? More?

[Black-n-Gold]

Any chance for a new signature tower in Pittsburgh anytime soon? Where could/should it be located???

Any chance somebody is going to put together a major financing package anytime soon in this economic climate?

I think we should all be thankful that around half of the development proposed for the area lately is even moving forward. Seriously, there are a lot of big projects mentioned a few pages ago on "hold" or canceled now.

[themaguffin]

Well maybe something new will replace the State building one day which is in a comparable location to the PG. However, I doubt we would see anything much tall than what exists in that area towards the Point - Someone can correct me if I am wrong but doesn't zoning prohibit much higher on the western fringe of the triangle - which is why the tallest buildings on more east...?

I think that smart planning should allow for denser taller development around the arena site and that part of uptown and around (hopefully to replace) Allegheny Center (yes my almost monthly plea to the level that vast waste of space).

[Minivan Werner]

I know that the height of 5th Ave Place was cut back significantly from the original design to keep with the west-to-east "rise" in height of all buildings in the triangle. Not sure if it's actual zoning laws or just an unwritten sort of deal in regards to aesthetics and viewpoints but you definitely won't see anything of significant height around the point area, or along the rivers for that matter.


I'd love to see Allegheny Center leveled and the old Allegheny City street grid reconnected but I think it'd be more ideal for mid-rise buildings only, similar to the North Shore around PNC and Oakland. Keeping the skyscrapers in the triangle.

[Black-n-Gold]

Funny how all of the complaints about brutalism and too-tall parking garages can segue into speculation about the need for a "signature tower". Today's signature tower is very often tomorrow's eyesore. Besides, while PNC 3 may be a little generic looking, it should be nationally recognized for its mixed-use planning and sustainable design. There really isn't all that much like it going on nationally.

A true "signature tower" would cost in the neighborhood of $500 million and probably wouldn't do much for Pittsburgh at street level. Just think what a tenth of that amount could do to renovate some of the great old buildings on Wood Street or Forbes! There are a lot of vacant second and third floors in that area.

[themaguffin]

Well my points were necessarily for a signiature tower, but there's not much room in the triangle for such a large building.

Regardless Pittsburgh must get out of the mindset of towers can only be downtown. There is room to expand office space and turn Uptown into a really nice and much more useful district.

The North Shore is - while looking nicer, wasting valuable space with 6-8 story buildings. Should they be 40+ stories, maybe, maybe not, but a conservative and more useful height level would be at least 15-30 for the North Shore and
new buildings replacing Allegheny ctr could range from that height to one or two larger buildings to anchor a new well planned mixed used district with plenty of street level stores etc.

Oakland must grow taller. Again, most buildings would not be that tall, but there's room to create appropriate sized towers that make crowded Oakland more useful and help Pittsburgh maximize its land and build its tax base, all while pushing smart, dense, green development.

[tooluther]

Any chance for a new signature tower in Pittsburgh anytime soon? Where could/should it be located???

Two part response:
A. The economics do not work in our favor. While our office market is strong, the rents/s.f. still do not work in favor of new high rise construction (i.e. rent X capitalization rate < cost of new high rise construction)

B. There are basically 1.5 remaining sites on Grant Street. Directly across from the City County building is the best site downtown IMO. Also there is an addition to the salvation army building that could be demo-ed and combined with the parking lot there for an office tower.

[tooluther]

The long-term development plan for the Mellon Arena site calls for 1.1 million sq. ft. of commercial space.. That could conceivably be a 40-50 story building. There's also a pretty big parking lot near the Human Services Building along 1st Ave that could support a mid-sized high-rise.

The 1.1 million s.f. is commercial of all types and would not be a single large building. a 40-50 story tower would look ridiculous.

Also, the parking lots & the human services building it self are in the process of being bid out for residential development.

[tooluther]

Not sure if it's actual zoning laws or just an unwritten sort of deal in regards to aesthetics and viewpoints but you definitely won't see anything of significant height around the point area, or along the rivers for that matter.


The Golden Triangle does have vertical zoning as part of the law. Also, there is an overlay in the greater downtown area for river front height limitations.

Both are variable according to use. So, a riverfront residential building can be taller than a commercial building at the same site.


...sorry, I don't know how to quote multiple posts hahaha

[hyperion1110]

Well my points were necessarily for a signiature tower, but there's not much room in the triangle for such a large building.

Regardless Pittsburgh must get out of the mindset of towers can only be downtown. There is room to expand office space and turn Uptown into a really nice and much more useful district.

The North Shore is - while looking nicer, wasting valuable space with 6-8 story buildings. Should they be 40+ stories, maybe, maybe not, but a conservative and more useful height level would be at least 15-30 for the North Shore and
new buildings replacing Allegheny ctr could range from that height to one or two larger buildings to anchor a new well planned mixed used district with plenty of street level stores etc.

Oakland must grow taller. Again, most buildings would not be that tall, but there's room to create appropriate sized towers that make crowded Oakland more useful and help Pittsburgh maximize its land and build its tax base, all while pushing smart, dense, green development.

Yeah, I don't think it would make much sense to put anything even close to 15 stories on the North Side. Much of lower North Side is still heavily residential, like Allegheny East and the Mexican War Streets. That should be built upon, not inhibited with more office development. As someone mentioned a few posts ago, and as I have harped about for quite a long time, Allegheny Center needs to be torn down, and the street grid of Allegheny City restored...the proper way, in all of it's turn of the century grandeur.

As for high rises outside of downtown, Oakland really is the only place for that, in my opinion. It could easily support a few million square feet of office space (so, probably a couple of 20 story towers). However, the untapped potential of Oakland is not commercial, but residential. It boggles my mind that there are not dozens of proposals to put high rise residential buildings in there. With over 100K people working in such a compact area, there are literally thousands of people who would REALLY like to live close to work. And, for all of Downtown's charm, it doesn't hold a candle to the appeal of the "urban" living experience one has in Oakland.

[AaronPGH]

What exactly is left in Allegheny Center? I mean, even three years ago as an AIP student I remember it being desolate. National City is leaving as well, is that right? Who are the last major tenants? The tower that used to be student housing for AIP students is now dark and completely empty as far as I know.

There has to be a point where it's economically unfeasible for the property owners to keep that place as it is. I mean, you can't make any profit sitting on a gigantic empty complex of ugly buildings.

Also, while not anywhere near as terrible as Allegheny Center, Forest City should be ashamed of themselves for letting such a prime space like Station Square go to relative waste. I honestly think that space could be the most development ripe property in the whole city. It has connections to the T, easy access to Mt. Washington, downtown, south side, freeways north, north side, the airport - AND gigantic empty parking lots.

I wish Pittsburgh would enact some sort of law that would allow the city to designate areas as some sort of "prime development" district and force dormant property owners to either do something with the land or sell it off to someone who will.

[Black-n-Gold]

I wish Pittsburgh would enact some sort of law that would allow the city to designate areas as some sort of "prime development" district and force dormant property owners to either do something with the land or sell it off to someone who will.

There might be something in the Constitution that would prevent this!

There are actually examples of where this has happened locally (with the agreement of the seller). The ALMONO property - where LTV sold a huge riverfront property to a group of non-profits because they would develop a grand vision for what would go there and they could develop it much more quickly than LTV would. That was more than 5 years ago...

The bottom line is that if there is money to be made then development will come. If there is a lot of money to be made then development will come quickly.

If there isn't much money to be made then developing land is a great way to lose money.

[AaronPGH]

The bottom line is that if there is money to be made then development will come. If there is a lot of money to be made then development will come quickly.

If there isn't much money to be made then developing land is a great way to lose money.

Yeah, I understand that. It just makes it much harder when it's a company like Forest City. They are so large that the Station Square property is insignificant to them and not even close to a priority. Think about how many local developers would love to get their hands on that piece of land and do it right (and faster)?

[Johnland]

As someone mentioned a few posts ago, and as I have harped about for quite a long time, Allegheny Center needs to be torn down, and the street grid of Allegheny City restored...the proper way, in all of it's turn of the century grandeur.

As for high rises outside of downtown, Oakland really is the only place for that, in my opinion. It could easily support a few million square feet of office space (so, probably a couple of 20 story towers). However, the untapped potential of Oakland is not commercial, but residential. It boggles my mind that there are not dozens of proposals to put high rise residential buildings in there. With over 100K people working in such a compact area, there are literally thousands of people who would REALLY like to live close to work. And, for all of Downtown's charm, it doesn't hold a candle to the appeal of the "urban" living experience one has in Oakland.

Yes and yes! Yes, Allegheny Center should razed so the land can be devoted to higher use. And yes, it's utterly amazing Oakland isn't seeing more high-rise residential devlopment given its economic status.

As for the PG building site Downtown, I'm advocating a replacement in the way of a well designed residential building. The site is so highly visible, a fresh, modern, glassy design that is lit up at night would really transform that view of the city. While the setting is spectacular, the collection of buildings most visible are not. They are really just a hodgepodge of mediocre mid-century office buildings that are dead after 5 pm. A lively residential tower about 18 to 25 stories would fit in perfectly.

[Minivan Werner]

I'd love to see the better part of Gateway Center replaced with high-rise residential.. But I've always liked the PG building as is, not sure why.

[Gilamonster]

My two cents on the "signature tower" debate. First of all, congratulations to Philly as it looks like the American Commerce Center has a reasonably good chance of at least getting off of the ground. While I think it would be awesome if we got one here in the 'Burgh, I simply don't see it happening. Philly is a much more logical place for this. Philadelphia, is roughly # 5 or 6 in actual city population as well as MSA. Also, Philadelphia holds a high place in the history and beginnings of our country. I've always thought that their skyline was small and sparse for the size of the city. So really, they are catching up in a way with Comcast and now the AMC, and I hope it gets done. Hey it's still in Pennsylvania. :tup:
Now back to us. Even in a good economic climate, I don't see a huge skyscraper in our future for quite a while if at all. The biggest problem with a commercial building is finding an anchor tenant(AMC does not have one yet either). There has been, and will continue to be, consolidation in every industry, leaving less and less companies around who could pull off the kind of financing needed to build a huge tower. I don't a see a residential biggie in our future either. While Piatt place and 151 firstside have done well, there is an enormous amount of high end space that would need to be sold to finance a say 40 footer. Remember, the developer of 151 said the condos that were remaining unsold were the more expensive ones and in the future he would likely build less expensive ones. I would say the one chance we have is with PNC. They obviously can finanance a massive project and at some point in the future they may want to consolidate a lot of the old national city operations in the midwest here to Pittsburgh. While I am only a peon there, I am pretty nosy and will break the news here first if it ever comes!
For the sake of joining the above debate, I would actually like to see the skyline extended so somewhere out of the golden triangle would be preferred to me as far as location. The exception to that is if by some miracle we had some supertall coming, then it would have to be within the confines of the golden triangle to not ridiculously stand out.
By the way, did anybody hear any negative news on the Chelsea in Oakland or can we still look forward to a June groundbreaking?

[akPITT207]

With all this crazy signature tower talk, how about a supertall in place of the Mellon Arena???

[Minivan Werner]

Why not? Someone mentioned a page or two back that skyscrapers on the current arena site would look horrible, I don't see how it could. The only issue I see is that the buildings wouldn't be visible from the west (like from the West End bridge) unless they were significantly taller than USX and One Mellon. But they would still be plenty visible from the North Shore and from Mt. Washington, for sure.

It's close enough to Grant and the rest of downtown and in a spot where no vital buildings or neighborhoods would need to be razed. Maybe the crosstown kind of segregates that area from the rest of downtown, but that's all the more reason to push the skyscrapers past the cement "moat" and more into the lower hill.

[Evergrey]

This former eyesore has undergone a remarkable transformation

http://www.popcitymedia.com/developmentnews/keylfts0128.aspx

New condos in the Cultural District: Keystone Lofts celebrates grand opening

Keystone Lofts, Downtown’s latest residential development, is celebrating its grand opening Jan. 29 at 951/953 Liberty Ave. And with 50% of its units now sold, the project will welcome its first occupants within a month.

Located across from Downtown’s newest museum—the now under construction August Wilson Center for African American Culture—and just blocks from the Cultural District’s many restaurants, galleries and theaters, Keystone Lofts boasts 12 newly renovated lofts ranging in size from 840 to 1100 square feet.

Once home to a framing company, the historic four-story property features a cast iron and copper façade. Units—priced between $205,000 and $245,000—include exposed brick walls, beamed ceilings, hardwood floors, and eight-foot windows. A project of Vista Development and Ariba Construction, the building’s first-floor commercial space may soon house a tapas-style Italian restaurant.

“There is 98% walkability to everything Downtown. It’s a small building, so you’ll know your neighbors,” says Marcia Kraus, with Howard Hanna. “A lot of people are coming back to Pittsburgh. Many are young professionals or empty nesters who want time for themselves and to get rid of the big house and be close to the Cultural District.”

To schedule a tour of the Keystone Lofts, call Cory Chrisley or Marcia Kraus with Howard Hanna at 412-687-6000.

“We didn’t have the boom that Florida, New York and California had, so we didn’t have the crash. We’re seeing a 2-3% increase in the housing market overall,” adds Kraus. “People often say there are so many units, but they’re being sold.”


Writer: Jennifer Baron
Source: Marcia Rodriguez Kraus, Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

[Evergrey]

oy

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_609098.html

Residents speak out against housing development

By Jeremy Boren
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, January 28, 2009

More than 20 opponents of a proposed 418-unit housing development in Ridgemont urged Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday to protect their rural oasis.

City Vista at Parkway -- a mix of condominiums and townhouses -- would straddle Pittsburgh's border with Green Tree on a partially forested 26-acre site that once was a golf driving range.

Florida-based SouthStar Development Partners needs City Council to approve rezoning the land from commercial to residential.

Council members delayed voting until after a special election next Tuesday to fill the vacant District 2 seat, which represents Ridgemont and other southwestern neighborhoods.

Green Tree's council approved the rezoning because its members view the six-building development as a potential boon to the dying Parkway Center Mall next door.

"We're hoping this type of development will re-energize that facility and make it a viable shopping area," Green Tree council President Mark Sampogna told his city counterparts.

Ten-year Ridgemont resident Denise Zurcher said children often play football, hockey and other sports on Hamburg and Springfield streets near the developer's site.

She worries the addition of hundreds of cars traveling to and from City Vista could endanger youngsters and the area's quiet, rural atmosphere.

"People coming through the neighborhood as a shortcut aren't going to be watching for children in the neighborhood, running from house to house," she said. "The children's safety is what matters."

Irving Firman, an attorney representing SouthStar at the hearing, said the firm is willing to consider making Hamburg Street a one-way entrance to the development.

He said that would cut down on traffic through the neighborhood, one of the residents' major concerns.

Ridgemont residents said that was the first they had heard of the proposal.

City Council members did not say when they would vote on the rezoning request. The city Planning Commission already has approved it.

Mildred Foster, of Banksville, said Banksville Road already is "dangerously overloaded" with rush-hour traffic.

She knows firsthand the danger of busy residential roads.

"I was struck by a car on Banksville Road even with a walk signal in my favor," she said at the hearing.

Jeremy Boren can be reached at jboren@tribweb.com or 412-765-2312.

[Evergrey]

double oy

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09028/944988-53.stm

Community groups push for development at Don Allen site

Wednesday, January 28, 2009
By Mark Belko, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

After battling plans for a seven-story, 90-foot hotel in Bloomfield, community groups now are extending an olive branch to the property owner.

In a letter to Richard Voelker, Lenore E. Williams, chairwoman of the Baum Centre Initiative, said the group and others that fought the proposed hotel are still interested in seeing development at the site.

"We all have to make some allowances due to difficulties in the economy but we do still think something positive can happen on that property and the other property sitting there," Ms. Williams said in an interview.

Mr. Voelker teamed with developer DOC-Economou to propose a $230 million development at the former Don Allen Auto City site and an adjacent parcel on which the hotel would have been built.

But DOC-Economou pulled the plans for the hotel in December after it was unable to reach agreement with residents and neighborhood groups over the height of the building, traffic-related issues and other matters.

In talks, the developer had cut the height of the building from 97 feet to 90, eliminated 50 condominiums from the hotel parcel, and made other concessions, but still was unable to sway the community.

At 90 feet, the proposed height still was twice as high as that allowed in the district, and in the end DOC-Economou was forced to ask for an indefinite postponement of a public hearing before the Zoning Board of Adjustment on the issue.

In her letter, Ms. Williams said communication was "a major obstacle" throughout the process and was responsible for the "ultimate downfall of this project." In an interview, she said poor planning also was at work. She said the first traffic plan produced by the developer was incomplete and that a new one didn't come until the same week as the zoning board hearing.

"There were some issues where we wanted to work with them but just didn't have the time," she said. "What we want to do is to start early to get everything out of the way and hopefully get a project going."

Ms. Williams said there still may be a chance for a hotel at the site, if circumstances are right. "It is zoned to be 45 feet. Ninety still may be too much but it's something we can still talk about," she said.

Neither Mr. Voelker nor a representative for DOC-Economou could be reached for comment.

Given what happened in December, Mr. Voelker and the developer may very well say thanks, but no thanks, to the overture, Ms. Williams conceded.

"We hope they will not. We think it is a beautiful piece of land. There are a lot of possibilities that can be there as long as every one is open" and engaged, she said.

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

[dugdogmaster]

double oy




Couldn't have said it better myself. WTF!?!?!?!?

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l212/dugdogmaster/worfgif.gif

[AaronPGH]

way to go assholes.

[cdc]

in case anyone cares about Cranberry...


http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09028/944938-54.stm

Developer cancels Cranberry mall plans
Stalemate with PennDOT kills one of region's biggest projects
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
By Karen Kane, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette


One of the biggest proposed retail ventures in the region may be dead, the apparent result of a stalemate between the developer and the state Department of Transportation.

...

[Wheelingman04]

^ as if Cranberry needs any more retail.

[JackStraw]

in case anyone cares about Cranberry...


http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09028/944938-54.stm

Developer cancels Cranberry mall plans
Stalemate with PennDOT kills one of region's biggest projects
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
By Karen Kane, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Dale Pinkerton, chairman of the Butler County commissioners, said he's not blaming anyone.

"I think the biggest problem is the economy. Everyone is in a tight spot. But, I think this could still be pulled together if everyone would see this project for what it is: a regional project that benefits not just Butler County, but Beaver County and Allegheny County, too," he said.

You don't benefit my county. You sprawl out, create a homogenous everywhereville hell hole that steals a lot of the tax base to help the principle city in this area.

Thank God this project is gone. They already have a freakin mall up there. How many god damn retail chain stores, strip malls, big box stores, and malls do these exurbinites freakin need? Just a economy built on credit and greed.

The Westinghouse H.Q's construction drawings for the other 2 buildings are going out! Yeah for another irresponsibly done project. A person from Westinhouse was all excited one day when they came to the office explaining that there will be a whole shit load of new condos, housing plans, and even more retail in Cranberry when the Westinghouse H.Q. opens!:rolleyes: I would love to ask the CEO why he couldn't have choosen a brownfield near Pittsburgh to develop resonsibly on, and help revive a existing community. There should be tax breaks for companys that participate in smart growth. To bad companies try to take tax cuts, and get cheaper construction for irresponsible growth.

Ok, I am done ranting. Go Steelers!

[Valsek]

You don't benefit my county. You sprawl out, create a homogenous everywhereville hell hole that steals a lot of the tax base to help the principle city in this area.

Thank God this project is gone. They already have a freakin mall up there. How many god damn retail chain stores, strip malls, big box stores, and malls do these exurbinites freakin need? Just a economy built on credit and greed.

The Westinghouse H.Q's construction drawings for the other 2 buildings are going out! Yeah for another irresponsibly done project. A person from Westinhouse was all excited one day when they came to the office explaining that there will be a whole shit load of new condos, housing plans, and even more retail in Cranberry when the Westinghouse H.Q. opens!:rolleyes: I would love to ask the CEO why he couldn't have choosen a brownfield near Pittsburgh to develop resonsibly on, and help revive a existing community. There should be tax breaks for companys that participate in smart growth. To bad companies try to take tax cuts, and get cheaper construction for irresponsible growth.

I couldn't agree with you more!

[biscuit]

I would love to ask the CEO why he couldn't have choosen a brownfield near Pittsburgh to develop resonsibly on, and help revive a existing community. There should be tax breaks for companys that participate in smart growth. To bad companies try to take tax cuts, and get cheaper construction for irresponsible growth.

Ok, I am done ranting. Go Steelers!

That was a case of which county, municipality, and school district could offer the greatest tax incentives. It's bad enough that states and metropolitan areas have to play a shell game with tax revenues to lure companies to relocate. It's absolutely shameful that the state government allows municipalities within the same region to do so. What is the net gain for the region in doing this?


Oh, and Go Steelers!

[Evergrey]

I hate Cranberry more than any other Pittsburgh area suburb.

[Black-n-Gold]

I hate Cranberry more than any other Pittsburgh area suburb.

Trouble is, about 30,000 people disagree with you. In fact, since that number has grown from around 15,000 in 1990, the odds are about 2.3 more people will disagree with you by the end of the day today.

[deja vu]

Trouble is, about 30,000 people disagree with you. In fact, since that number has grown from around 15,000 in 1990, the odds are about 2.3 more people will disagree with you by the end of the day today.

^a scary thought.

[Johnland]

Dale Pinkerton, chairman of the Butler County commissioners, said he's not blaming anyone.



A person from Westinhouse was all excited one day when they came to the office explaining that there will be a whole shit load of new condos, housing plans, and even more retail in Cranberry when the Westinghouse H.Q. opens!:rolleyes: I would love to ask the CEO why he couldn't have choosen a brownfield near Pittsburgh to develop resonsibly on, and help revive a existing community. There should be tax breaks for companys that participate in smart growth. To bad companies try to take tax cuts, and get cheaper construction for irresponsible growth.

Ok, I am done ranting. Go Steelers!

No, we need the ranting. You're right. Pennsylvania is allowing 1950's style development to occur unchecked, and is losing valuable green space in the process. It is shameful a state with just about zero population growth, and for that matter Pittsburgh which has negative growth, to continue to destroy countryside for low-brow suburban development. With so many brownfields already located close in to city centers, they should be first devloped.

[Valsek]

Jan 29 2009
Start recovery here

An economic recovery program is a great opportunity to start with. However, there is a question of how to get people back to work and get our economy working again.

Let us start by cutting all telephone poles and burying all electricity lines, all cable lines and all telephones lines underground everywhere. It would take years to complete the process of burying lines. Manufacturers will start to open more jobs by making products for the burying of lines.

I hope Allegheny County would be the first one to start, as a role model for our whole country.

JAMES C. NOSCHESE
Forest Hills

http://community.post-gazette.com/blogs/openletters/default.aspx




I read this in the PG this morning, I wish we could make this happen!

[Brandon716]

d

[Tombstoner]

No, we need the ranting. You're right. Pennsylvania is allowing 1950's style development to occur unchecked, and is losing valuable green space in the process. It is shameful a state with just about zero population growth, and for that matter Pittsburgh which has negative growth, to continue to destroy countryside for low-brow suburban development. With so many brownfields already located close in to city centers, they should be first devloped.

Not only brownfields, but huge swaths of decaying, boarded up streets and towns.

[JackStraw]

Nevermind

[DBR96A]

Pittsburgh's metro population will have dropped by 2010. The region still doesn't have enough domestic in-migration or an increase in the birth rate to offset the death of all the old people. As strange as this may sound, I wouldn't be surprised if the city proper gained population by 2020 while the metropolitan area lost even more population. I get the sense that the city proper is becoming younger and more vibrant, while most of the suburbs are becoming older and more stale. Eventually, though, the entire metro will gain population again, probably starting after 2020. Remember that people born in the 1950s were the first to leave Pittsburgh en masse, and they'll be reaching retirement age by 2015. As the last "full" generation of Pittsburghers dies or moves away after retirement, then the metro area will bottom out population-wise.

One other thing I should mention: I'm getting seriously offended by all the obsessive Steelerism I've witnessed in this thread over the last week or two! All you narrow-minded yinzers need to get lives and stop being proud of the success of your sports teams! Don't you realize that every time one of you knuckleheads starts a "here we go Steelers here we go" chant, a pothole forms on one of your roads? Furthermore, every time you wave a Terrible Towel, 10 people in Pittsburgh lose their jobs! On the other hand, every time a Ben Roethlisberger jersey gets set on fire, taxes are cut! Also, every time you wipe your ass with a Terrible Towel, an upscale retail chain expands into the region! Clearly there is a negative correlation between the amount of Steelerism and the amount of economic prosperity in the region! But you dumb yinzers are too backward-thinking and narrow-minded to realize it! Cease and desist with the Steelerism before more people start feeling oppressed!

[Smoker]

That's your misconceived problem.

GO STEELERS!!!!!!!!!!!

[AaronPGH]

Pittsburgh's metro population will have dropped by 2010. The region still doesn't have enough domestic in-migration or an increase in the birth rate to offset the death of all the old people. As strange as this may sound, I wouldn't be surprised if the city proper gained population by 2020 while the metropolitan area lost even more population. I get the sense that the city proper is becoming younger and more vibrant, while most of the suburbs are becoming older and more stale. Eventually, though, the entire metro will gain population again, probably starting after 2020. Remember that people born in the 1950s were the first to leave Pittsburgh en masse, and they'll be reaching retirement age by 2015. As the last "full" generation of Pittsburghers dies or moves away after retirement, then the metro area will bottom out population-wise.

One other thing I should mention: I'm getting seriously offended by all the obsessive Steelerism I've witnessed in this thread over the last week or two! All you narrow-minded yinzers need to get lives and stop being proud of the success of your sports teams! Don't you realize that every time one of you knuckleheads starts a "here we go Steelers here we go" chant, a pothole forms on one of your roads? Furthermore, every time you wave a Terrible Towel, 10 people in Pittsburgh lose their jobs! On the other hand, every time a Ben Roethlisberger jersey gets set on fire, taxes are cut! Also, every time you wipe your ass with a Terrible Towel, an upscale retail chain expands into the region! Clearly there is a negative correlation between the amount of Steelerism and the amount of economic prosperity in the region! But you dumb yinzers are too backward-thinking and narrow-minded to realize it! Cease and desist with the Steelerism before more people start feeling oppressed!


Makes complete sense, very good points.


.....and wow, I'll be careful next time I actually cheer us on. I had no idea of the ramifications!

[CAPATeach]

Here we go, Steelers! Here we go!

[Evergrey]

The reason Pittsburgh doesn't feel like a city in decline these days is because people aren't leaving... if a bunch of old people in nursing homes die off... do we notice? does it impact the vibrancy of the neighborhoods? I know it sounds harsh... but no... unlike other places that are losing population... we are not experiencing high out-migration... but just the legacy demographic effects of a previous period of intense out-migration

what this region needs to stop worrying about.. are the perceived problems of "brain drain" and young people fleeing... instead... we should be working on growing opportunities and attracting newcomers from the rest of the country and the from abroad

our poor showing in the recent Pew study about which cities America would like to live in (we ranked 6th worst) illustrates the difficulty we have in appealing to outsiders... many of whom identify us as nothing more than a dirty old steel town...

the growth of our employment post-steel afforded opportunities to the newly emergent labor force demographics (women, more seniors, etc.)... now we're at the point where continued growth will demand in-migration... the dramatic increase in the metro's labor force over the past year seems to indicate this is starting to happen

[dugdogmaster]

The reason Pittsburgh doesn't feel like a city in decline these days is because people aren't leaving... if a bunch of old people in nursing homes die off... do we notice? does it impact the vibrancy of the neighborhoods? I know it sounds harsh... but no... unlike other places that are losing population... we are not experiencing high out-migration... but just the legacy demographic effects of a previous period of intense out-migration

what this region needs to stop worrying about.. are the perceived problems of "brain drain" and young people fleeing... instead... we should be working on growing opportunities and attracting newcomers from the rest of the country and the from abroad

our poor showing in the recent Pew study about which cities America would like to live in (we ranked 6th worst) illustrates the difficulty we have in appealing to outsiders... many of whom identify us as nothing more than a dirty old steel town...

the growth of our employment post-steel afforded opportunities to the newly emergent labor force demographics (women, more seniors, etc.)... now we're at the point where continued growth will demand in-migration... the dramatic increase in the metro's labor force over the past year seems to indicate this is starting to happen

Dude, you're brilliant. Run for city council.......PLEASE!?!?!

[themaguffin]

The region experienced net population growth during the recession of the early 90's which was not nearly as bad as this historic train wreck we are living in now... this has to be impacting migration patterns - couple that with Pgh doing relatively "ok" and perhaps the region can end the decade on a positive not...?

[Smoker]

On City Data last year there was a fair amount of new people traffic questioning where to move in the area that fit their criteria and something for $500,000 or less. They were leaving places like CA and FL because they were tired of the expense. Our being the most livable city again helped a lot. That's all but gone in the past several months. Most recently is an inquiry about how to move here and rent a place without having a job.

We see ads on TV for cities and towns smaller than us saying how great they are and to come visit. Does Pittsburgh do anything like that? I wonder how we're promoted because it seems they did nothing about our 250th birthday. Will they promote the casino and gambling? That's such a black eye. The Steelers keep us in the nation's awareness. That and how much beer we all drink. Gumbands.

[Evergrey]

The Williams clan offers a few dozen promises in this article...

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09032/946197-52.stm

Williams family helping redevelop Uptown

In past at odds with leaders over vast real estate holdings

Sunday, February 01, 2009
By Mark Belko, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/images/200901/droke0130_uptown03_500.jpg
Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette
Tony Williams, right, and his son, Carmen, are part of the redevelopment effort of Uptown that is taking place with the construction of the new arena and possible Duquesne University expansion.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/images/200901/droke0130_uptown01_500.jpg
Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette
The Power Center is a new addition to the Duquesne University campus in Uptown.

When Tony Williams dreams about Uptown, he doesn't see parking lots.

That's surprising considering that parking has been a big part of his family's business -- and a source of tension in Uptown -- for years.

But to hear Mr. Williams tell it, those days are over. Parking, he said, "means nothing to us. We actually hate parking.

"I want to prove to [critics] I'm not a parking lot guy, I'm an Uptown guy."

The vow can be nothing but good news to the neighborhood, which may be poised for major redevelopment with construction of the new hockey arena and possible expansion by Duquesne University and UPMC Mercy.

If Uptown is to become more than a drive-through to someplace else, it will take the involvement of Sal Williams and his family, including son Tony, who is running the business.

Through Sal Williams Real Estate Investments, the family controls more than 150 parcels of property in the neighborhood, at least by Tony Williams' count. Many of them are located along Fifth Avenue, a prime thoroughfare into Downtown from Oakland.

More than a few of those parcels are parking or vacant lots.

"I think they're pretty important," Jeanne McNutt, chairwoman of the housing and economic development committee of Uptown Partners of Pittsburgh, said of the Williamses. "They obviously control quite a bit of real estate here."

Uptown's dealings with the Williams family haven't always been pleasant. In July, residents and community groups were prepared to battle Williams Real Estate over plans to use 16 properties for parking lots.

In the end, a compromise was reached in which Tony Williams and his father agreed to use the parcels for parking for no longer than six more years. They also said they would pay the city $54,000 for new trees, landscaping and landscaping training to residents.

Mr. Williams said the agreement essentially will put the parking lots out of business. That's OK, he added, because the family never saw parking as the end game, but as a means to an end, that being development.

At times in the past, crime, drugs and prostitution have flourished in Uptown, making redevelopment difficult, he said.

"For a while all you could put here were parking lots. Nobody wanted to come here," he said.

Some are skeptical of the Williams family's professed interest in redeveloping Uptown.

"I'm waiting to see the evidence. "[Sal Williams has] been in the Uptown area for a very long time. There shouldn't be proclamations of what he plans to do. I want to see the evidence," said former city Councilman Sala Udin, who represented Uptown.

Told that the family said it wants to be at the forefront of the green development movement, Mr. Udin replied, "It will be green all right, the color of money."

Mr. Udin, now president and chief executive officer of Coro Center for Civic Leadership in Pittsburgh, said one of his biggest regrets on council was not pressing harder for a proposed moratorium against demolishing buildings for surface parking in Uptown.

"I didn't follow through with it. It was one of the most serious mistakes of my council tenure. It allowed them to continue to demolish and build parking lots and I had been assured they would not do that," he said.

However, some of the Uptown leaders who have fought the Williams family in the past said they are willing to take them at their word.

"I think we all agree it is a new day here. We want to keep things positive, to keep moving forward," Ms. McNutt said. "I believe they really want to develop their properties."

Peter Smerd, Uptown Partners co-president, said he sees sincerity in the family's actions.

Tony Williams, for example, is a member of the Uptown Partners board. Mr. Smerd said the parking settlement will result in 200 trees being planted in the neighborhood, funded by Williams Real Estate.

The Williams family also donated $10,000 toward the Uptown Visioning Project, a new endeavor aimed at creating a road map for future development.

"I see those as good signs," Mr. Smerd said. "Tony Williams is the next generation and he's playing a more active role than his dad did."

Tony Williams said the notion that his family was all about parking is an inaccurate one. He estimates that Williams Real Estate has poured more than $8 million into buying and redeveloping properties over the years.

That includes purchasing, remodeling and later selling a building on Fifth Avenue that is now the headquarters of Orbital Engineering. The company also rehabilitated the former Merchants Savings Bank and Trust on Fifth Avenue and redeveloped a property on Forbes that first housed the Program for Female Offenders and now is headquarters for an eye doctor group.

His father, he said, also has bought suspected crack houses or buildings near collapse and either remodeled or razed them for parking or green space.

For the family to be linked solely to parking lots "is not fair," he said.

"We put our whole life and blood into Uptown. You always get people who criticize. We're the only ones doing anything."

Sal Williams, 80, was born and raised in a row house on Tustin Alley near Mercy Hospital, the oldest of 11 children. He purchased his first property in 1976 on Fifth Avenue for $8,000.

He has had his share of ups and downs over the years. He was identified as a Cosa Nostra associate in a 1991 report by the former Pennsylvania Crime Commission, an affiliation Tony Williams said was "stupid" and inaccurate. He also pleaded guilty to conspiracy and conducting an illegal gambling business in July 1996 and served nine months in federal prison.

City Councilwoman Tonya Payne, who now represents Uptown and who received campaign contributions from the owners of Williams Real Estate in 2005, spoke highly of Sal Williams.

As ex-president of the Uptown Community Action Group, Ms. Payne said the organization sometimes turned to him to buy problem properties and tear them down when the city wouldn't.

"He's definitely good for Uptown and he's always been," she said. "He's always been a friend to the Uptown Community Action Group. That's the truth. If I said anything else, I'd be lying on this man."

The Williams family may have plenty of opportunities to prove its sincerity.

That's because Uptown finally may be ready to escape the twin shadows of Downtown and Oakland, thanks to a convergence of powerful forces that could reshape the gritty neighborhood.

The new arena scheduled to open in 2010 could anchor Uptown's west end. On Forbes Avenue, Duquesne University already has built the $35 million Power Center, which includes a state-of-the-art rec center and a Barnes & Noble bookstore, and has future expansion plans. UPMC is mulling a possible expansion at Mercy Hospital that could include a new tower.

The growth of UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh in Oakland has left little room to expand there. To some, that leaves Uptown as a next logical step for those institutions.

"It's an untapped resource just waiting to be used," Mr. Smerd said.

Just what will become of Uptown will be the subject of a meeting Wednesday sponsored by Uptown Partners, Oakland Planning and Development Corp. and the Hill House Economic Development Corp. as part of the visioning project.

They have invited Uptown institutions, business owners, employees, students and others to share their views at the forum, which will run from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at Life's Work, 1323 Forbes Ave.

Linda Metropulos, of Metropulos Development, which is helping to lead the visioning project, hopes it will produce a plan that can be used to guide development over the next five to 10 years. She wants to have a final rendition by April.

"This is a really good time for Uptown. It's a natural place for development because it is the corridor between Oakland and Downtown. Oakland is pretty much saturated," Duquesne University President Charles Dougherty said.

Mr. Dougherty said Duquesne has plans eventually to redevelop a parking lot on the east side of the Power Center for academic or housing uses, with street-level retail. It's also converting a Fifth Avenue building across from the new arena into a community wellness center that will offer services free or at a "very low cost."

Penguins President David Morehouse sees potential for the arena having the same kind of impact on Uptown as the Verizon Center, which turned a blighted, crime-infested section of Washington, D.C., into a thriving entertainment and retail district.

Others see a mix of retail, office and residential development in Uptown, geared toward Downtown workers, doctors, nurses and professors as well as students.

Property acquisition may not be an issue. The Williams family, the city and the Urban Redevelopment Authority control well over 200 parcels in Uptown and the Lower Hill. Based on URA records, the city owns more than 150 parcels and the redevelopment authority nearly 50.

One key focus likely will be the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Colwell and Dinwiddie streets, where a number of the property holdings intersect. It is seen as a residential hub.

Tony Williams has his own ideas for redevelopment, though he said he will defer to the outcome of the visioning project before making any moves. He already has plans for a $1 million building at the corner of Fifth and Pride that would feature a restaurant, office space, apartments and a rooftop deck.

Across the street in a vacant lot, he sees a boutique hotel or apartment building. Near the arena on two parking lots, he wants to develop high-end restaurants.

But for Mr. Williams, the centerpiece rests on a hillside along Colwell Street near the Birmingham Bridge. There, on family-owned property, he wants to develop solar-powered, zero-emissions apartments or condos.

The perch offers magnificent views of the South Side and the Downtown skyline.

"This is the catalytic project that connects everything," he said on a recent day as he gushed over the views. "I'm in love."

It's a $30 million project, by his own estimate, but one that could put Uptown on the map like never before -- and perhaps even help change a family's reputation. Even in the troubled economy, it's a challenge worth accepting, Mr. Williams said.

"At the end of the day, it's not how much money you had in the bank, but what impact you've had on the city of Pittsburgh," he said.

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

[Johnland]

That was very interesting about the devlopment plans the Williams family has for the Uptown neighborhood. Not knowing Colwell St, I took a Google Street View tour of the area. I can see why they are enthusiastic about Uptown. I'd forgotten how it is literally just blocks from Downtown. Going down Fith Ave. towards town, the vintage building stock on the south side of Fifth contains many fine old commercial and mercantile trade lofts, that if rehabbed and spruced up, could form a great little retail/restaurant/residential street. Duquesne University provides a ready population just blocks away.

And to back up a few threads, someone asked hypothetically about the potential for a new 'signature' tower in Pittsburgh. I've seen the perfect location for a new residential highrise. The northwest corner overlooking Mellon Sq. The site currently has the Brooks Brothers on two floors, and it appears there's two more office floors above the store. I see that site as perfect for a residential tower, say in the 20-25 story range. The views on Mellon Sq. would be great, and those south-facing units would always get sun. Not only that, there would be views of prime Pittsburgh architecture - the Alcoa Bldg, the Oliver Building, William Penn Hotel and the Union Trust Bldg.

[pj3000]

our poor showing in the recent Pew study about which cities America would like to live in (we ranked 6th worst) illustrates the difficulty we have in appealing to outsiders...


many of whom identify us as nothing more than a dirty old steel town...

... with a good football team, but nothing else

[Black-n-Gold]

And to back up a few threads, someone asked hypothetically about the potential for a new 'signature' tower in Pittsburgh. I've seen the perfect location for a new residential highrise. The northwest corner overlooking Mellon Sq. The site currently has the Brooks Brothers on two floors, and it appears there's two more office floors above the store. I see that site as perfect for a residential tower, say in the 20-25 story range. The views on Mellon Sq. would be great, and those south-facing units would always get sun. Not only that, there would be views of prime Pittsburgh architecture - the Alcoa Bldg, the Oliver Building, William Penn Hotel and the Union Trust Bldg.

Get some investors together, buy an option on the property, hire an architect and make it happen!

Also, a few pages back there were some complaints that the parking lot and old Salvation Army building on Grant Street should really be re-developed. That building is being actively marketed right now, so if you really think its a good idea buying the property would be the first step!!

[JackStraw]

That was very interesting about the devlopment plans the Williams family has for the Uptown neighborhood. Not knowing Colwell St, I took a Google Street View tour of the area. I can see why they are enthusiastic about Uptown. I'd forgotten how it is literally just blocks from Downtown. Going down Fith Ave. towards town, the vintage building stock on the south side of Fifth contains many fine old commercial and mercantile trade lofts, that if rehabbed and spruced up, could form a great little retail/restaurant/residential street. Duquesne University provides a ready population just blocks away.

And to back up a few threads, someone asked hypothetically about the potential for a new 'signature' tower in Pittsburgh. I've seen the perfect location for a new residential highrise. The northwest corner overlooking Mellon Sq. The site currently has the Brooks Brothers on two floors, and it appears there's two more office floors above the store. I see that site as perfect for a residential tower, say in the 20-25 story range. The views on Mellon Sq. would be great, and those south-facing units would always get sun. Not only that, there would be views of prime Pittsburgh architecture - the Alcoa Bldg, the Oliver Building, William Penn Hotel and the Union Trust Bldg.

That building is actually considered "Historic". Even though it doesn't look like it is anything really special. It contains a branch of the Carnegie library next to the Brooks Brothers. You are right. It is two floors of Brooks Brothers, and there are two floors of offices on top of that. I did the Lighting and electrical systems to the top floor of that building for Fragasso group, and surveyed that buildings electrical system. You will notice their nice green sign on the top of the building now. It would be prime location for a residential tower. Even the views on the fourth floor of that thing when I was up there were nice.

I do agree that that building could go for a nicer highrise. I think the best spot for a tall skyscraper is a empty parking lot on Grant/Forbes I believe that would be perfect for a tall skyscraper. Maybe when the recession is out. This would keep the Skyline's style of the taller in the back, and shorter in the front.

We do need another tall skyscraper. Its been a long as time.

[tooluther]

Get some investors together, buy an option on the property, hire an architect and make it happen!

Also, a few pages back there were some complaints that the parking lot and old Salvation Army building on Grant Street should really be re-developed. That building is being actively marketed right now, so if you really think its a good idea buying the property would be the first step!!

That wasn't a complaint. I was simply pointing out the only two logical places to put an office tower. You'll recall that I also explained why an office tower doesn't work right now. One downtown property at a time is enough for me thanks.

[tooluther]

FYI, here is the Downtown Partnership's 4th quarter housing report...

http://www.downtownpittsburgh.com/_files/docs/4th-quarter-2008-master.pdf

Cork Factory is included as a stabalized property for the first time and condo data includes the first units at 941 Penn to close.

[Steel Boy]

If I remember correctly, the lot at Grant and Forbes was at one time meant for Two Oxford Centre. This was way back in the 80s. Remeber that Oxford Centre was originally called One Oxford Centre when it was built?

[Minivan Werner]

The other buildings on that block, are they of any significance?

[themaguffin]

If I remember correctly, the lot at Grant and Forbes was at one time meant for Two Oxford Centre. This was way back in the 80s. Remeber that Oxford Centre was originally called One Oxford Centre when it was built?

I thought it was stilled called that. In any case yeah that parking lot needs to go.

[Johnland]

That building is actually considered "Historic". Even though it doesn't look like it is anything really special. It contains a branch of the Carnegie library next to the Brooks Brothers. You are right. It is two floors of Brooks Brothers, and there are two floors of offices on top of that. I did the Lighting and electrical systems to the top floor of that building for Fragasso group, and surveyed that buildings electrical system. You will notice their nice green sign on the top of the building now. It would be prime location for a residential tower. Even the views on the fourth floor of that thing when I was up there were nice.

I do agree that that building could go for a nicer highrise. I think the best spot for a tall skyscraper is a empty parking lot on Grant/Forbes I believe that would be perfect for a tall skyscraper. Maybe when the recession is out. This would keep the Skyline's style of the taller in the back, and shorter in the front.



I didn't realize there a Carnegie Library Branch in there. That's a pretty good asset to have Downtown.

In my plan, I would want to keep the Brooks Brothers (quality retailer, no-brainer - keep) and now that I know about the Library, keep that too. I just think that location could be somewhat like Rittenhouse Square in Philly. I know it houses a parking garage, but it is just so well done (the casino people should've taken a look at the possibilities). It's a classic mid-century design. I wonder if the air rights could be developed over the existing building.

[Evergrey]

click the link for 7 minute video

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/01/us/01braddock.html?_r=2&adxnnl=1&ref=us&adxnnlx=1233511276-jkLRYtz3Xs4SJGE+IMEOTA

Rock Bottom for Decades, but Showing Signs of Life

By DAVID STREITFELD

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2009/02/01/us/01braddock_span.jpg
Lisa Kyle for The New York Times
The state has deemed Braddock, Pa., a “distressed municipality.”

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2009/02/01/us/01braddock2_650.jpg
Lisa Kyle for The New York Times
The mayor, John Fetterman, with tattoos of the dates of killings during his time in office.

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2009/02/01/us/01braddock3_650.jpg
Lisa Kyle for The New York Times
The mill town once had 18,000 residents.

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2009/02/01/us/01braddock4_650.jpg
Lisa Kyle for The New York Times
Now it has 3,000 and is full of abandoned buildings.

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2009/02/01/us/01braddock5_650.jpg
Lisa Kyle for The New York Times
The Carrie Furnace, on the riverbank, operated until 1982.

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2009/02/01/us/01braddock_map.jpg

BRADDOCK, Pa. — As Americans wonder just how horrible the economy will become, this tiny steel town offers a perverse message of hope: Things cannot possibly get any worse than they are here.

Hunched on the eastern edge of the Monongahela River only a few miles from bustling Pittsburgh, Braddock is a mix of boarded-up storefronts, houses in advanced stages of collapse and vacant lots.

The state has classified it a “distressed municipality” — bankrupt, more or less — since the Reagan administration. The tax base is gone. So are most of the residents. The population, about 18,000 after World War II, has declined to less than 3,000. Many of those who remain are unemployed. Real estate prices fell 50 percent in the last year.

“Everyone in the country is asking, ‘Where’s the bottom?’ ” said the mayor, John Fetterman. “I think we’ve found it.”

Mr. Fetterman is trying to make an asset out of his town’s lack of assets, calling it “a laboratory for solutions to all these maladies starting to knock on the door of every community.” One of his first acts after being elected mayor in 2005 was to set up, at his own expense, a Web site to publicize Braddock — if you can call pictures of buildings destroyed by neglect and vandals a form of promotion.

He has encouraged the development of urban farms on empty lots, which employ area youths and feed the community. He started a nonprofit organization to save a handful of properties.

In an earlier era, Braddock was a famed wellspring of industrial might. The steel baron Andrew Carnegie put his first mill in the town, the foundation of an empire that helped build modern America. With the loot and guilt Mr. Carnegie piled up, he also built a library here, the first of more than 1,500 Carnegie libraries in the United States.

Immigrants came to work in the mill, and through ceaseless agitation won union representation that enabled their children — helped by the library on the hill — to achieve a better life.

A local boy, Thomas Bell, celebrated this hard-won success in his autobiographical 1941 novel “Out of This Furnace.” The story recounts the strivings of three generations in Braddock’s mill and their transformation from exploited and maligned “Hunkies” from Eastern Europe into full-fledged Americans.

This year, the town will be featured in the film version of another work of art, Cormac McCarthy’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “The Road.” Set in a post-Armageddon America where food is so scarce that many survivors turned to cannibalism, “The Road” was shot partially in Braddock.

A town whose story has evolved from building America to making Americans to eating Americans for dinner might seem a hard sell. So Mr. Fetterman, who is paid $150 a month, also promotes Braddock as a place to buy extremely cheap real estate.

Erik and Shannon Gustafson heeded that call. The couple were living in Chicago, where Mr. Gustafson was a part-time commodities trader, when they heard about Braddock last winter. They settled on a two-bedroom house whose owner warned them that it had black mold and was probably a tear-down. Her price: $4,750.

The Gustafsons paid the money and discovered that the mold problem was overstated. “Space is cheap here,” said Mr. Gustafson, 30. “We can afford to focus on our hobbies.” He is a graphic designer; she is a photographer.

Joel Rice, a furniture maker, bought a 15,000-square-foot former car dealership that he is converting to a showroom, workshop and home, with a greenhouse on the roof. The building cost $70,000, perhaps a tenth of what he would have had to pay for a tiny shop in Oregon, where he was living.

It will take at least two more years to clear the debris and put in new wiring, plumbing and fixtures. But Mr. Rice, 38, is undaunted. “If all our effort here crashes and burns,” he said, “it won’t be because we held anything back.”

Unlike many stricken steel towns, Braddock never lost its mill. Part of the U.S. Steel system, it still employs nearly a thousand workers. But they no longer live in town, and the stores followed them to the suburbs. Eventually, only the stubborn and those without resources remained.

“Even the bars and liquor stores closed,” said Ron Kutnansky, who was born in Braddock in 1953 and lived there and in North Braddock for decades.

A custodian at the University of Pittsburgh, Mr. Kutnansky finally moved out three years ago, after his home was broken into for the third time. “It’s a fairly big shame what happened to Braddock,” he said. He sold his house for a dollar, no regrets.

As Mr. Kutnansky was leaving, a political novice was starting to shake things up. Mr. Fetterman, now 39, is hard to miss, at 6-foot-8 and 325 pounds, with a shaved head and goatee. He has a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard but came to Braddock in 2001 to work for a county youth program. He won the May 2005 Democratic primary by exactly one vote. (He faced no opposition in the general election.)

The mayor wears his commitment to Braddock not on his sleeve but under it: On his right arm are tattooed five dates memorializing killings in Braddock during his time in office. The victims included a man delivering a pizza and a 2-year-old girl who was assaulted and then dropped into a snow-covered playground. She froze to death while trying to walk home.

On his other arm is a large 15104, the town’s ZIP code.

This impressed many of the younger residents. “I was shocked, because he’s not even from around here,” said Jeremy Cannon, 23.

Mr. Fetterman’s official powers are limited, partly because of Braddock’s “distressed municipality” status and partly because it is technically a borough overseen by a borough council. The council president, Jesse Brown, did not return telephone calls for an interview.

Mostly, the mayor offers encouragement, ideas and energy. With the financial help of his father, who owns a commercial insurance agency in York, Pa., he also makes direct and indirect investments in local real estate. He set up the nonprofit organization, Braddock Redux, and gave it $50,000 to buy a former Presbyterian church to serve as a community center.

Last year, Mr. Fetterman gave the organization another $12,000 — money he says he got by draining his 401(k) — to buy a duplex and another house next door. The next step was securing a grant from the Buhl Foundation in Pittsburgh to refurbish the buildings for six at-risk teenagers who, at 18, were too old for foster care. Run by two members of AmeriCorps, the group house will open this month.

“Where a lot of people would see a series of negatives — a bankrupt community with deteriorating housing, foster kids aging out of the system and confronting a lack of employment — John saw potential,” said Frederick Thieman, president of the Buhl Foundation.

One of Mr. Fetterman’s biggest coups was persuading a small alternative energy company, Fossil Free Fuel, to secure a warehouse on Braddock Avenue.

“This is a very welcoming place for a business, because it has so few,” said Fossil Free’s co-owner, David Rosenstraus.

All this is movement in the right direction, but the uninhabited buildings are still falling down. Dozens are scheduled for demolition. “If struggling communities don’t preserve their architecture,” Mr. Fetterman said, “there’s no chance of any resurgence down the line.” Sometime soon, he worries, Braddock will pass the point of no return.


...

Braddock featured on CBS News too

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/28/eveningnews/main4760827.shtml?source=search_story

[Evergrey]

one of the most prominent structures in the South Side

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_609952.html

Goodwill to select property buyer soon

By Sam Spatter
FOR THE TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Officials of Goodwill Industries will meet next week to choose one of three bidders to purchase its properties on the South Side and help it find a new headquarters location.

The three bidders are Burns & Scalo Real Estate Services Inc., of Green Tree; Cambridge Venture Partners, Downtown; and Walnut Capital Partners of Shadyside, said Michael J. Smith, Goodwill's chief executive officer.

"Burns & Scalo and Cambridge are the frontrunners, but Walnut Capital is still being considered," he said.

Bid prices were not disclosed. All three bidders confirmed they provided bids.

Smith said once a Goodwill committee makes its recommendation, a poll of 35 board members will be conducted via e-mail and responses returned through the Internet. "I expect that would occur within one or two days and if the board approves, the selection will be made," he said.

Goodwill is selling its main headquarters building at the corner of East Carson and 26th streets, and adjacent properties along East Carson.

Not included in the sale are its store and a building at 24th and East Carson that houses some of Goodwill's programs, its custodial care facilities and Allegheny County's Children and Youth Services.

Smith said about 300 employees will be relocated once it has either built or purchased a new building.

"We are not required to move. We will only move if the offer financially works for Goodwill," he said.

Holliday Fenoglio Fowler Inc. LP, Downtown, conducted a study for Goodwill in 2008 that recommended that staying in its current location was its worst option because of the building's problems and high operating costs.

Sam Spatter can be reached at sspatter@tribweb.com or 412-320-7843.

[AaronPGH]

Hmmm....not too enthused about either Burns & Scalo or Cambridge. Most of the projects and buildings I'm seeing on their websites are dreary as hell. Hopefully if that's who they choose - they step it up a couple notches when they eventually redevelop.

[Johnland]

Get some investors together, buy an option on the property, hire an architect and make it happen!

Also, a few pages back there were some complaints that the parking lot and old Salvation Army building on Grant Street should really be re-developed. That building is being actively marketed right now, so if you really think its a good idea buying the property would be the first step!!

I would love to. Pittsburgh's cityscape is so rich, a project on Mellon Sq. would a dream.

[UrbaniDesDev]

There was a plan a few years ago to add a residential tower above the Brooks Bros building. I never heard much about that again.

[JackStraw]

There was a plan a few years ago to add a residential tower above the Brooks Bros building. I never heard much about that again.


Was this plan to keep the Brooks Bros building? It just seems odd to add height to it structurally without demolishing it.

[Black-n-Gold]

Missed your chance to put your signature tower at that end of Grant Street...

http://pittsburgh.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2009/02/09/story1.html

Cleveland-based Polaris Real Estate Equities has sale agreement to buy Downtown Pittsburgh Salvation Army building
Pittsburgh Business Times - by Tim Schooley

Guy Totino’s new financial interest in redeveloping the Salvation Army’s Western Pennsylvania Divisional headquarters building Downtown comes with plenty of old memories.

“When we were in grade school, we used to play basketball there in Saturday leagues,” said Totino of himself and his partner, Rob Vadas, Pittsburgh natives who now are principals of Polaris Real Estate Equities, based in suburban Cleveland. “We went from playing there as kids to having it under contract.”

Last week, Polaris reached an agreement of sale with the Salvation Army, which awaits approval from its national parent to finalize the deal. Expecting to pursue a lengthy 260-day due diligence before closing on the sale, Polaris sees strong potential to redevelop the nine-story, 93,000-square-foot building for new uses.

The project is the second Polaris is pursuing in the Pittsburgh area. A company that specializes in real estate development and housing that serves educational markets, Polaris expects to break ground on a 17-story apartment building called The Chelsea at the corner of Craig Street and Centre Avenue in Oakland in May. The apartments are expected to target professionals and academics who work nearby in the area’s universities and hospitals.

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

[Evergrey]

glad to hear the Chelsea project is still alive... I was afraid the global financial meltdown may have scuttled it like so many others

[UrbaniDesDev]

Was this plan to keep the Brooks Bros building? It just seems odd to add height to it structurally without demolishing it.

Not sure of the specifics...
It was discussed on here at some point, about a year ago

[Evergrey]

this would be tragic... it's alarming how nobody seems to care about some of our oldest structures (such as that 18th century stone house in Hazlewood)

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09038/947543-52.stm

Historic Old Stone Inn in W. End faces demolition

Efforts to sell, restore tavern unsuccessful

Saturday, February 07, 2009
By Diana Nelson Jones, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/images/200902/asloctavern1.1_330.jpg
Andy Starnes/Post-Gazette
The Old Stone Inn is one of Pittsburgh's oldest buildings. The building is under agreement for sale to Harris Masonry Inc. and a demolition notice has been posted, prompting an effort by local preservationists to save the building.

The most conservative estimates of its age make the Old Stone Inn one of Pittsburgh's oldest buildings.

The late historian Walter Kidney wrote that the West End landmark was built in 1800, although 1752 is reputedly carved into a cornerstone. Documents that establish the building's earlier vintage have been confirmed and contradicted.

But what is clear is the demolition notice on one of the windows.

The building is under agreement for sale to Harris Masonry Inc. The company is adjacent to the tavern, which owner Mario Peticca closed last year.

The "intent to demolish" placard is given to every owner who applies for a permit, said Paul Loy, demolition manager for the city. The demolition notice was posted on Jan. 23.

Art Merrell, a nearby resident, has tried to gather investors to save the structure. He has talked to city officials, local politicians and the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation but has gotten no commitments.

Mr. Peticca said he was more than accommodating to preservation ideas, even lowering the sale price to help. The price last summer was $90,000.

Anthony Pivirotto, of Pivirotto Real Estate, said he did not want to disclose the sale price, and Mr. Peticca could not be reached.

An official at Harris Masonry declined to discuss the matter.

Ann Nelson, counsel for the Landmarks Foundation, said she was in regular contact with Mr. Merrell for more than a year and had met with him "to look at ways to work with him." Nothing came of those talks and nobody was compelled to invest.

The building's need of repairs and renovation was more of an obstacle than the sale price, said Mr. Merrell. Its sketchy history also did not serve it well.

Mr. Kidney, who for decades chronicled Pittsburgh's history for the Landmarks Foundation, wrote this of the building: "Despite a date stone giving 1752 as the building year, this, a work in masonry, not logs, is most likely to be of the early years of the 19th century. At that, it is one of the oldest buildings in the city and the oldest in steady use for commerce. The two-over-two window sash is typical of the mid-19th century."

Mr. Merrell sides with the older date, which would mean that the French built the building.

A survey of stone buildings in Pittsburgh in the 1770s showed there were 40, he said. The Old Stone Tavern was not listed, "but it was not part of Pittsburgh then."

The building served as an early toll house and has a holding cell for prisoners in the basement. It was the scene of political rallies and boxing matches. It has been a stagecoach stop, a travelers' inn and a tavern.

"There is documentation that when Charles Dickens visited the city in the 1850s, he stayed there," said Mr. Merrell. "But sometimes when you find a reference, there's a contradiction. One [document] lists it as Choates Tavern, a social hub, but another said that family didn't get here until 1812."

Shortly after its closing last summer, everything was dark but a game running the musical scale in eerie electronic trills. A full ashtray and a glass sat on the bar. A picket sign on the wall spoke to lost causes. It read "Keep Union Jobs in Pittsburgh -- Save Nabisco."

Mr. Merrell said plans for the building's demolition, while the right of the owner, are particularly disturbing considering Pittsburgh's recent 250th celebration.

"We had special ball games and special races to commemorate 250 years," said Mr. Merrell. "We do everything to celebrate our milestones, but we don't celebrate our history."

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

[asher519]

what this region needs to stop worrying about.. are the perceived problems of "brain drain" and young people fleeing... instead... we should be working on growing opportunities and attracting newcomers from the rest of the country and the from abroad

Though it's been two years since my initial recconnaissance mission--when I had the good pleasure to meet a few of you--I'm finally almost to Pittsburgh. My van, Rosalita, and I have spent the past two weeks crossing the country from Portland, Oregon to... Youngstown, Ohio. I'm currently staying there with my brother and his family while I look for work in PGH. Once I've attained a position, Pittsburgh will not only gain a new citizen, but one who's (I'd like to think) young, educated, and creative.

I was downtown yesterday for a few hours to re-acquaint myself and very much look forward to completing my journey! "Hello again" to those I've met and "How goes it?" to those I haven't.

PS, BTW... if anyone has a lead on employment, feel free to PM me.

:notacrook:

[dugdogmaster]

Though it's been two years since my initial recconnaissance mission--when I had the good pleasure to meet a few of you--I'm finally almost to Pittsburgh. My van, Rosalita, and I have spent the past two weeks crossing the country from Portland, Oregon to... Youngstown, Ohio. I'm currently staying there with my brother and his family while I look for work in PGH. Once I've attained a position, Pittsburgh will not only gain a new citizen, but one who's (I'd like to think) young, educated, and creative.

I was downtown yesterday for a few hours to re-acquaint myself and very much look forward to completing my journey! "Hello again" to those I've met and "How goes it?" to those I haven't.

PS, BTW... if anyone has a lead on employment, feel free to PM me.

:notacrook:

Awesome, and welcome. I'm only 15 minutes from where you're currently staying. Ytown is a great city, though currently pretty distressed, but they're trying.

[AaronPGH]

Asher, what type of position are you looking for?

[Black-n-Gold]

x

[asher519]

Asher, what type of position are you looking for?

My background is mainly law library/legal research, but I want to move in a community development direction, hopefully leading to an urban planning program in a few years. Given my experience, however, I think I'm pretty adaptable to a variety of professional and pseudo-professional positions. I'm only now beginning to delve deeper into Pittsburgh's job market, but after a year of false starts and dead-ends in Portland, I feel like I'm up for anything... as long as there's a paycheck attached :D

[AaronPGH]

My background is mainly law library/legal research, but I want to move in a community development direction, hopefully leading to an urban planning program in a few years. Given my experience, however, I think I'm pretty adaptable to a variety of professional and pseudo-professional positions. I'm only now beginning to delve deeper into Pittsburgh's job market, but after a year of false starts and dead-ends in Portland, I feel like I'm up for anything... as long as there's a paycheck attached :D

Right on....I can't help you much in that area. I just saw you said "creative", wasn't sure if you were a designer or something (which is my field). Goodluck to you...nice to have some new people in town!

[Evergrey]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09041/948106-85.stm

Point Park, Wagner store seal deal for playhouse site

Tuesday, February 10, 2009
By Mark Belko, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/images/200902/20090210mh_honus_02_500.jpg
Michael Henninger/Post-Gazette
The Honus Wagner Sporting Goods store on Forbes Avenue.

For decades, the Honus Wagner Co. store Downtown has been a sports fan's paradise, crammed to the rafters with jerseys, jackets, T-shirts, sneakers and, of course, Terrible Towels.

But after more than 50 years on Forbes Avenue, the sporting goods retailer named after the Pirates' Hall of Fame shortstop could be in the twilight of its long run.

Point Park University has reached agreement with the store owner on an option to purchase the property as part of its plans to move the Pittsburgh Playhouse to Downtown.

Under the terms of the agreement, the university will take control of the property once the owner, Murray Shapiro, chooses to vacate or in four years, whichever comes first.

Either way, the clock appears to be ticking on the venerable store, which was founded in 1918 by the legendary Honus Wagner himself and has occupied the same spot on Forbes Avenue since 1952, when it was described as a "modern air-conditioned shop."

"I would not choose to close up if I had my druthers," Mr. Shapiro said yesterday. "There are four years and an awful lot can happen in four years."

http://www.post-gazette.com/images4/20090210point_park_univ.gif

Mr. Shapiro stressed in a phone interview that the store isn't in any imminent danger of closing. He said he hopes to be able to keep the business open for the full four years, if possible.

He declined to discuss details of the agreement with Point Park, citing confidentiality.

"We're running it as we always have for the last 75 to 80 years," he said.

Yesterday, that meant hawking Steelers Super Bowl merchandise, from plaques commemorating Santonio Holmes' game-winning catch and James Harrison's 100-yard interception return to sweatshirts proclaiming the team's record six Super Bowl victories.

At one time, long before professional sports became a multibillion-dollar industry, the store supplied uniforms for the Pittsburgh Pirates as well as semi-pro and high school teams in the region.

As for whether the store would move elsewhere when its run on Forbes ends, Mr. Shapiro was noncommittal.

"It's too early to speculate on that. Four years is an awfully long time," he said.

Point Park has coveted the property as part of its plan to transform its Downtown campus into an urban academic village, but until recently had not able to make headway with the owner.

A sales agreement on the property already has been reached and will take effect once Point Park exercises its option, university spokeswoman Mary Ellen Solomon said.

"It's been a parcel we've been interested in and the opportunity just came up," she said.

The school would not disclose the financial terms of the sale or the option. It already owns several properties adjacent to the Honus Wagner store, including a parking lot.

Together, they will serve as the building blocks of Point Park's plan to move the Pittsburgh Playhouse from Oakland to Forbes. The complex would feature three theaters ranging from 150 to 500 seats each, production and teaching areas, a residence hall and retail space.

"We took this step as part of our effort to look at the design of the Pittsburgh Playhouse as part of the academic village initiative," Ms. Solomon said.

While the university had wanted the building for some time, it apparently is in no hurry to see its tenant leave, as evidenced by its willingness to wait four years.

One key reason is that the move of the Playhouse to Downtown doesn't occur until the second phase of Point Park's academic village master plan. While no definite timetable has been set, the second phase still is a "few years down the road," Ms. Solomon said.

Point Park initially will focus on the Wood Street and Boulevard of the Allies corridors, the central part of its campus, where it plans to build a 1,000-seat arena, student housing and a park.

It also intends to open a new student center in the Downtown YMCA, which it now owns.

In all, Point Park owns more than 15 properties in the Golden Triangle, second only to the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, and leases another four in whole or in part.

The master plan carries a $210 million price tag, about half of which Point Park expects to secure through a fund-raising campaign it has yet to formally announce.

The Honus Wagner store, meanwhile, eventually could end up going the same way as another local institution, Candy-Rama, which closed its last store on Fifth Avenue in November 2007 after more than five decades Downtown to make way for redevelopment.

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

[Evergrey]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09041/948030-53.stm

Financing lined up for big grocery in the Hill

Tuesday, February 10, 2009
By Dan Majors, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

They're a long way from asking customers if they'd prefer paper or plastic -- they don't even have a date set for their ground-breaking -- but Hill House Economic Development Corp. officials yesterday announced that they've lined up financing for a new grocery in the Hill District.

For three months, supporters of the $8.4 million project had wrestled with a $2 million shortfall. The Urban Redevelopment Authority board had set its Thursday meeting as a deadline for the funding to be arranged.

Yesterday's announcement by Evan Frazier, Hill House Association president and chief executive officer, followed monetary commitments from public and private sources that are expected to cover those costs.

"We're pleased to share that we've secured funding to close the gap for the $8.4 million Kuhn's Market proposal for the Hill District grocery store," Mr. Frazier said.

"In spite of the challenging economy and the way financing has been struggling out there, we feel really good, thanks to people like Dan Onorato with the county and Jake Wheatley with the state and a few local foundations that really stepped up. The $2 million hurdle that seemed to be a barrier with the URA, we feel, has been satisfied. At least from our side."

Kevin Evanto, spokesman for Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, said the county is pitching in $750,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant money that is intended to boost low-income areas.

Another $500,000 in state money, Mr. Frazier said, was delivered by Rep. Jake Wheatley, D-Hill District. The remaining $750,000 has been secured from foundations and local sources, he said.

"We knocked on a lot of doors," Mr. Frazier laughed.

Mr. Frazier said the grocery is critically important, not only to meeting basic food needs for the neighborhood and the jobs it would bring, but also as a building block for developing the community.

"Not a day goes by that people don't ask what's happening," he said. "It's something we're all rallying behind to make happen."

The financing still must be approved by the URA board.

Kuhn's plans to build the 40,000-square-foot, full-service grocery, including a pharmacy, a bakery and a cafe, on city-owned property at Centre Avenue and Heldman Street.

If the financing had not emerged, however, discount grocer Save-A-Lot might have emerged as a contender with its plans for a 16,000-square-foot, limited-service store.

Whichever grocery ends up being built will get $2 million in help from the Pittsburgh Penguins and the URA under a community benefits agreement reached last year with Hill leaders.

"A number of factors, many of them beyond our control, remain to be dealt with before he could talk about actually breaking ground for the new store," Mr. Frazier said. "But we're doing everything we can to move ahead with this project. We'll know more after Thursday."

Dan Majors can be reached at dmajors@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1456.

[Evergrey]

Mayor Steelerstahl should be happy Toby Keith's bringing his bar to town lol

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09043/948629-85.stm

Two amphitheaters planned for city's opposite shores

Thursday, February 12, 2009
By Mark Belko, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Like many '70s rock bands, the tent amphitheater at Station Square is making a comeback.

PNC Entertainment Group has filed an application with the city planning commission to reopen the outdoor venue in the parking lot just west of the Sheraton Station Square, the same spot occupied by the former Chevrolet Amphitheatre before it closed in 2006.

The company, which is not affiliated with PNC Financial Services Group, hopes to have the tent ready for occupancy by May. Construction is expected to start in March, with the cost estimated at $50,000.

But the return of the Station Square amphitheater wasn't the only big entertainment-related development to emerge yesterday.

Continental Real Estate Cos. disclosed that it was in "preliminary talks" with country singer Toby Keith about bringing one of his "I Love This Bar" restaurants to the North Shore.

The dining and concert venue would supplement the proposed $12 million year-round entertainment complex being developed by the Steelers and Continental on a four-acre riverfront parcel next to Heinz Field.

"They're separate deals, although they clearly would play off each other," Continental Chairman Frank Kass said, adding the Toby Keith venue probably would be built next to the entertainment complex.

Mr. Keith has opened restaurants in Las Vegas, Oklahoma City, Kansas City and Mesa, Ariz. Others are planned in New York and Chicago. They are named after Mr. Keith's hit single. Mr. Kass said Mr. Keith told him that Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio together comprise the largest market in the country for his CDs and downloads.

The singer also is a lifelong Steelers fan. Mr. Kass said Continental has been in "on-and-off conversations" with Mr. Keith since last May.

"They approached us because of the Steelers, because of the stadium, and because of the possibility of a larger entertainment complex," Mr. Kass said, stressing talks were still preliminary.

An amphitheater tent at Station Square, meanwhile, will be returning after a three-year hiatus. Station Square owner, Forest City Enterprises, did not renew the lease for the Chevrolet Amphitheatre because the site was needed for a proposed casino.

But when Station Square lost the casino bid, it was left with a vacant five-acre parcel. Forest City started advertising the site for redevelopment in August 2007 before landing the deal for the amphitheater.

"We felt it was important to bring it back after the gaming decision didn't go our way," Station Square General Manager Rocco Miller said.

"We're really excited about it. We get a bit of our identity back. We think it's important for our bars and restaurants and shops to have that venue and we believe it helps the entire property."

In its application, PNC, whose principals were not identified, said it plans to use the tent for live entertainment, festivals and other public events.

Station Square's deal with PNC Entertainment will run five years, Mr. Miller said. The tent will seat up to 5,500. Brian Drusky of Drusky Entertainment will book amphitheater events. Drusky now does bookings for a number of venues in the area.

With a new tent at Station Square and the Steelers' proposed complex to open in May 2010, it could produce dueling amphitheaters on opposite shores.

However, neither Mr. Kass nor Mr. Miller seemed much concerned about that prospect yesterday.

"We really don't care at all about that," Mr. Kass said. "We haven't given any thought to it. This is a whole new indoor-outdoor venue. Over the course of years, the bigger part of the revenue comes from the everyday business it will turn out."

He noted the complex will be open year round, with larger outdoor events in the summer and smaller ones inside during the colder months. There also are plans to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner at the venue, Mr. Kass said.

Mr. Miller said Forest City was primarily concerned about the impact the amphitheater would have on Station Square.

"I think we will benefit from this," he said. "It really was something we felt was very important for us to bring back."

The Steelers are seeking a $4 million state grant to help with the North Shore entertainment complex with a 5,600-seat amphitheater. Chuck Ardo, Gov. Ed Rendell's spokesman, said the return of an amphitheater to Station Square, a stone's throw from the North Shore, would not affect the decision-making on the grant.

"I think it's very much like clusters of restaurants on all four corners of a busy intersection. The more variety, the more people come around to make their choices," Mr. Ardo said. "So we believe offering more entertainment options will simply attract more people into the city."

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

http://www.cat.org/grf/news/toby_keith.jpg

[tooluther]

That's an awesome picture!

[themaguffin]

I would rather another casino (and casino sized) garage than anything with Toby Keith's name or similary cheezy redneck country bar. Jesus.

Could somebody please revive rock so this half assed garbage can go back to Mayberry?

[PA Pride]

OMG. LOL at that picture!

[UrbaniDesDev]

I would rather another casino (and casino sized) garage than anything with Toby Keith's name or similary cheezy redneck country bar. Jesus.

Could somebody please revive rock so this half assed garbage can go back to Mayberry?


Well, it brings them in from the outer counties to spend their money in the city.
so...
but yeah

[UrbaniDesDev]

I didn't know they were giving the Union Trust a thorough cleaning. It is a completely different color. I think this is a good sign the new owners are serious about their commitment to this great building

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e235/UrbaniDesDev/100_0119.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e235/UrbaniDesDev/100_0120.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e235/UrbaniDesDev/100_0121.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e235/UrbaniDesDev/100_0122.jpg
Damned, I need to get a tripod!

Here are some update pics of the new ARENA!
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e235/UrbaniDesDev/100_0123.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e235/UrbaniDesDev/100_0125.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e235/UrbaniDesDev/100_0124.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e235/UrbaniDesDev/100_0130.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e235/UrbaniDesDev/100_0133.jpg

[UrbaniDesDev]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09041/948106-85.stm

Point Park, Wagner store seal deal for playhouse site

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/images/200902/20090210mh_honus_02_500.jpg
.

I was wandering Downtown yesterday, Im amazed on how it's been transformed into a campus. Crawling with students. The Art Institute's flocks definately add a lot of color to downtown

[Grego43]

Has the fate of Mellon Arena and it's surrounding sea of parking been decided?

[UrbaniDesDev]

I don't think anything can be even dreamt of right now, in this economy. We're lucky the projects going now got under way when they did. It's going to be dry couple of years. Now Republicans slashed the stimulus, I just don't know anything anymore

[pj3000]

this would be tragic... it's alarming how nobody seems to care about some of our oldest structures (such as that 18th century stone house in Hazlewood)

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09038/947543-52.stm

Historic Old Stone Inn in W. End faces demolition

Efforts to sell, restore tavern unsuccessful

Saturday, February 07, 2009
By Diana Nelson Jones, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/images/200902/asloctavern1.1_330.jpg
Andy Starnes/Post-Gazette
The Old Stone Inn is one of Pittsburgh's oldest buildings. The building is under agreement for sale to Harris Masonry Inc. and a demolition notice has been posted, prompting an effort by local preservationists to save the building.

The most conservative estimates of its age make the Old Stone Inn one of Pittsburgh's oldest buildings.

The late historian Walter Kidney wrote that the West End landmark was built in 1800, although 1752 is reputedly carved into a cornerstone. Documents that establish the building's earlier vintage have been confirmed and contradicted.

But what is clear is the demolition notice on one of the windows.

The building is under agreement for sale to Harris Masonry Inc. The company is adjacent to the tavern, which owner Mario Peticca closed last year.

The "intent to demolish" placard is given to every owner who applies for a permit, said Paul Loy, demolition manager for the city. The demolition notice was posted on Jan. 23.

Art Merrell, a nearby resident, has tried to gather investors to save the structure. He has talked to city officials, local politicians and the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation but has gotten no commitments.

Mr. Peticca said he was more than accommodating to preservation ideas, even lowering the sale price to help. The price last summer was $90,000.

Anthony Pivirotto, of Pivirotto Real Estate, said he did not want to disclose the sale price, and Mr. Peticca could not be reached.

An official at Harris Masonry declined to discuss the matter.

Ann Nelson, counsel for the Landmarks Foundation, said she was in regular contact with Mr. Merrell for more than a year and had met with him "to look at ways to work with him." Nothing came of those talks and nobody was compelled to invest.

The building's need of repairs and renovation was more of an obstacle than the sale price, said Mr. Merrell. Its sketchy history also did not serve it well.

Mr. Kidney, who for decades chronicled Pittsburgh's history for the Landmarks Foundation, wrote this of the building: "Despite a date stone giving 1752 as the building year, this, a work in masonry, not logs, is most likely to be of the early years of the 19th century. At that, it is one of the oldest buildings in the city and the oldest in steady use for commerce. The two-over-two window sash is typical of the mid-19th century."

Mr. Merrell sides with the older date, which would mean that the French built the building.

A survey of stone buildings in Pittsburgh in the 1770s showed there were 40, he said. The Old Stone Tavern was not listed, "but it was not part of Pittsburgh then."

The building served as an early toll house and has a holding cell for prisoners in the basement. It was the scene of political rallies and boxing matches. It has been a stagecoach stop, a travelers' inn and a tavern.

"There is documentation that when Charles Dickens visited the city in the 1850s, he stayed there," said Mr. Merrell. "But sometimes when you find a reference, there's a contradiction. One [document] lists it as Choates Tavern, a social hub, but another said that family didn't get here until 1812."

Shortly after its closing last summer, everything was dark but a game running the musical scale in eerie electronic trills. A full ashtray and a glass sat on the bar. A picket sign on the wall spoke to lost causes. It read "Keep Union Jobs in Pittsburgh -- Save Nabisco."

Mr. Merrell said plans for the building's demolition, while the right of the owner, are particularly disturbing considering Pittsburgh's recent 250th celebration.

"We had special ball games and special races to commemorate 250 years," said Mr. Merrell. "We do everything to celebrate our milestones, but we don't celebrate our history."

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

I saw the for sale sign on it, but didn't know that plans were in the works to tear it down. This can't be allowed to happen. I'll have to talk with some of my family who live in the general area to get some more people aware of what's going on.

[themaguffin]

In this morning's PBT:


City officials, looking to spark a renewal of a blighted piece of Pittsburgh’s North Side, sat down recently with one of the area’s largest landlords to discuss their vision for the neighborhood.

In a hopeful sign for the neighborhood, city officials traveled to California a few weeks ago to meet for the first time with Guilford Glazer, a California-based octogenarian real estate investor and owner of long-struggling Allegheny Center.

While no commitments have been made, the conversation with Glazer — the 384th richest man in the United States with a net worth of $900 million, according to Forbes magazine — included talk of one day reconnecting the street grid demolished by an urban renewal project in the 1960s.

“I think, clearly, we have a chance to make right what was done wrong in the past,” said Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, who did not travel to the meeting but sent his chief of staff, Yarone Zober. “It’s my belief that the Allegheny Center area … is critical to the future of the North Side. We communicated our interest of trying to do something of higher and better use.”

[Minivan Werner]

included talk of one day reconnecting the street grid demolished by an urban renewal project in the 1960s.

Awesome.

[Johnland]

In this morning's PBT:

Re: North Side street grid and development potential:

"While no commitments have been made, the conversation with Glazer — the 384th richest man in the United States with a net worth of $900 million, according to Forbes magazine — included talk of one day reconnecting the street grid demolished by an urban renewal project in the 1960s."

The most intelligent, feet-planted-firmly-on-the-ground, rational proposal in ages. Tear it down and reconnect!!! TIDAR!!!

[AaronPGH]

Amazing news! Hopefully something is possible within the decade.

[Gilamonster]

Let's not get too excited. It's Pittsburgh officials who have initiated the talks, not Glazer. And seeing as how he is 80 years old + I tend to think he might not have some grand vision of change. That's not to say he won't be open and cooperative to some degree, but you have to realize he made his money his way and apparantly he is doing pretty good with the status quo. One benefit of his age though is that if he can be convinced to cooperate with city officials, things might start happening fairly quickly so that Glazer could actually be around to reap some of the supposed windfall the city will be promising him.

[Evergrey]

Let's not get too excited. It's Pittsburgh officials who have initiated the talks, not Glazer. And seeing as how he is 80 years old + I tend to think he might not have some grand vision of change. That's not to say he won't be open and cooperative to some degree, but you have to realize he made his money his way and apparantly he is doing pretty good with the status quo.

This is essentially the rest of that Business Times article. Allegheny Center "still produces cash flow for us".

[hyperion1110]

The Trib has an interesting article about what the stimulus bill means for Pittsburgh. Check it out:

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_611795.html

While I doubt Pittsburgh will get all of the $8.4 mentioned, I think it's realistic to assume that we would get perhaps half that amount, which is still astounding. Some interesting things to note, too: $2.5 billion for Downtown Oakland transportation projects (does that mean what I think it does...light rail to Oakland?), $4 billion for a roll road (huh?), and $8.3 of $8.4 billion to be spent in Allegheny County.

As I said, we likely won't see half of that. But even a fraction of that would be astounding.