[bruchaus]

Am I the only one who doesn't like fast Eddie? Seriously, this governor has every priority backwards! He's applying to upgrade already high speed rail between Harrisburg and Philly, proposing rail between Scranton and NYC (I got love for Scranton, but who exactly is that line going to serve?!), and he's going to STUDY rail between Harrisburg and Pittsburgh?! The only bright stop in there is Maglev. However, as much as I support the project, I would push for standard high speed rail from Downtown to the airport first. It would cost a lot less, and would be more likely funded.

Thankfully, the reign of the Mayor of Philadelphia...I mean the Governor is almost over...
_________________________________________________________________



I also think Special Ed is a piece of garbage. He is a politician only concerned with his image not what is best for the residents of Pennsylvania. He should be drawn and quartered.

[JakeLiefer]

Here is an update (:yuck:) on the north Oakland office lowrise. Some graffiti on the sign...

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/8453/image102.jpg

I think that area of North Craig is going to get highly developed over the coming years. Also in development on North Craig is The Chelsea, a mixed use building on Center & Craig (where a parking lot currently stands). Here's the plan for that building:

http://www.polaris-realestate.com/images/Documents/Centre%20&%20Craig%20-%20North%20Oakland.pdf

Also listed in that plan is a proposed 80,000sq/ft CMU office building at the former Ghetto Eagle site.

If these 3 developments go according to plan, they'll be an additional 150,000 sq/ft of office space on North Craig, 20,000 sq/ft of retail, and 300 apartments.

[UrbaniDesDev]

I also think Special Ed is a piece of garbage. He is a politician only concerned with his image not what is best for the residents of Pennsylvania. He should be drawn and quartered.

I call him Tony Soprano

[Minivan Werner]

I think that area of North Craig is going to get highly developed over the coming years. Also in development on North Craig is The Chelsea, a mixed use building on Center & Craig (where a parking lot currently stands). Here's the plan for that building:

http://www.polaris-realestate.com/images/Documents/Centre%20&%20Craig%20-%20North%20Oakland.pdf

Also listed in that plan is a proposed 80,000sq/ft CMU office building at the former Ghetto Eagle site.

If these 3 developments go according to plan, they'll be an additional 150,000 sq/ft of office space on North Craig, 20,000 sq/ft of retail, and 300 apartments.


Unfortunately it looks like the Chelsea is going to take out about 5 decent-looking homes, too.

http://maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&q=oakland,&fb=1&split=1&gl=us&ei=_eZhSve5DtmwtgeP16D-Dw&radius=0.29&sll=40.450907,-79.952381&sspn=0.003045,0.011029&rq=1&ll=40.451642,-79.952831&spn=0,359.988971&t=k&z=17&layer=c&cbll=40.451682,-79.952705&panoid=f6aWQXeJ9g8Oz_ZahFCJaA&cbp=12,184.23,,0,-5.07

[Johnland]

Unfortunately it looks like the Chelsea is going to take out about 5 decent-looking homes, too.

http://maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&q=oakland,&fb=1&split=1&gl=us&ei=_eZhSve5DtmwtgeP16D-Dw&radius=0.29&sll=40.450907,-79.952381&sspn=0.003045,0.011029&rq=1&ll=40.451642,-79.952831&spn=0,359.988971&t=k&z=17&layer=c&cbll=40.451682,-79.952705&panoid=f6aWQXeJ9g8Oz_ZahFCJaA&cbp=12,184.23,,0,-5.07

Yes, I noticed that too. Those are true, classic Victorians that characterize North Oakland's early, very dignified and professional middle class residential development. While I'm all for new development, the new building's design goes the route of perching the residential portion over a parking garage - never a first choice for good urban aesthetics. Ah well, times being what they are.....

Also, in that website, did you notice that CMU is planning an 80,000 sq ft offcie building for the opposite corner of Craig St? Wonder how that one is going to look.

[Minivan Werner]

Too bad they couldn't pick up and move a couple of those- particularly that red brick one on the end- to a vacant lot further north or something.

[PA Pride]

Unfortunately it looks like the Chelsea is going to take out about 5 decent-looking homes, too.

http://maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&q=oakland,&fb=1&split=1&gl=us&ei=_eZhSve5DtmwtgeP16D-Dw&radius=0.29&sll=40.450907,-79.952381&sspn=0.003045,0.011029&rq=1&ll=40.451642,-79.952831&spn=0,359.988971&t=k&z=17&layer=c&cbll=40.451682,-79.952705&panoid=f6aWQXeJ9g8Oz_ZahFCJaA&cbp=12,184.23,,0,-5.07

Yes, my cousin has lived in the beautiful victorian house at the intersection of Centre & N. Dithridge for the last 8 yrs.... It will be sad to see it go. It had some amazing woodwork and original stained glass inside; However, theose houses have long been sectioned off and used as multi-unit rentals; They are not in very good shape and would require hundreds of thousand of dollars of renovations.

[edncc1701d]

The former Fifth Avenue High School, 1800 Fifth Ave., has been sold by Uptown Investments LP to LMS Fifth LP for $640,000, according to a deed filed in Allegheny County. Casey Steiner, a partner with John Hill in LMS, said the building may be converted into 60 to 70 market-rate apartments, pending zoning approval from the city.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/business/s_633641.html

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3629/3579892492_c17700483c.jpg
Image From http://onlyinpgh.com/?p=712

[PA Pride]

^Excellent. That is a great building and a real focal point of the uptown neighborhood. Maybe this will be a catalyst for the renovation of fifth & forbes between the new arena and Oakland??

[Brandon716]

Nice building to rehab, glad to see it not be lost.

[Minivan Werner]

I always liked that building.

[Wheelingman04]

I guess you would rather have a right-winger like Toomey as governor then Rendell?

[PA Pride]

Here are the larger drawings and site aerials for The Chelsea proposal in North Oakland, copied from Evergrey's Chelsea proposal thread.

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?p=4367193#post4367193



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/austindaniel/The%20Chelsea/chelseadrawing.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/austindaniel/The%20Chelsea/chelseasideangles.jpg


Some sick aerials showing the site:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/austindaniel/The%20Chelsea/chelseasiteaerial.jpg


Looking north:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/austindaniel/The%20Chelsea/chelseasiteaerialnorth.jpg


Looking East:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/austindaniel/The%20Chelsea/chelseasiteaerialeast.jpg

[StoOgE]

I'm here on a business trip and just wanted to commend your city for being so beautiful. I hung around downtown yesterday and really enjoyed it. Would have been better if I didn't have to sit in the rain at the Pirate's game, but had fun there too. The view is perfect from the stadium.

The city is surprisingly green and the mountains surrounding downtown are great (I'm from Texas, so maybe they aren't technically mountains, but they are bigger than our hills in Austin)

[UrbaniDesDev]

It's always great to hear a visitor having a good time here. Pittsburgh is a hidden gem. You would be amazed the progress this city has made over the past decades

[hyperion1110]

Stooge, I'm also glad you had a good experience here in Pittsburgh. As for the mountains, you could really call them either one. The city sits on a plateau that averages about 1000 feet above sea level (the level of the rivers is about that downtown is just under 800 feet). But some points in the city, like Polish Hill, are around 1500 feet. To make things even more interesting, many of the hills aren't really hills. Rather, they are the roughly normal plateau elevation, but they have been made into hills glacial movement and river erosion working together to make deep valleys. Naturally, the effect of these deep valleys is to make the surrounding plateau seem mountainous.

So, you could call them hills, mountains, or neither. But, in any case, they are quite beautiful :)

_______________________________________________________________

It seems these planning committee reports are always long on details of the boring parts, but short of the cool stuff. I especially like the PNC vertical garden.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09203/985471-53.stm

Planning commission OKs amphitheater

North Side group trying to ensure neighborhood concerns are addressed

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

By Diana Nelson Jones, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A $12 million North Shore entertainment complex got the go-ahead from the city planning commission yesterday, with six conditions, including sound monitoring and an 11 p.m. curfew for outdoor shows.

Mark Fatla, executive director of the Northside Leadership Conference, said his organization has been trying to broker an agreement that suits the developer and the neighborhoods his organization represents.

Barry Ford, president of development for Continental Real Estate Cos., said he would work with Mr. Fatla to narrow the gap. Continental is working with the Steelers on the project.

One concern is that concert-goers will park for free on neighborhood streets and contribute to litter and noise, Mr. Fatla said.

In June, Continental and the Steelers asked for an extension in completing aesthetic-related elements of the project because state funding for the project was cut from $4 million to $2.5 million, Continental Chairman Frank Kass said.

Continental and the Steelers have said they plan to have the entertainment venue itself up and running by May 1, 2010, as required under agreement with the city Stadium Authority.

In other planning commission action, staff and board members of the Imagine Environmental Charter School in Regent Square left the meeting disappointed. The commission denied their request to add two temporary mobile classrooms to the playground to accommodate 60 students in the fall. The K-3 school will expand to include fourth grade in the former K-8 school at 729 Milton St.

Robert Warden, president of the board of trustees, said it would be for just one year while the school decides how to plan a more permanent expansion, either on the current site or elsewhere. Seven residents presented testimony against it; the commission decided that the mobile classrooms are not in keeping with the neighborhood environment.

Several groups lined up to get the commission's approval for projects they want to complete before the G-20 summit in September.

One is PNC Financial Services Group's proposal to build a vertical garden on the side of its property at Fifth Avenue and Wood Street Downtown. Susan Golomb, vice president of realty services, said it will be the largest "living wall" in North America, at 2,380 square feet.

The plantings will be contained within panels amid a stainless steel grid.

The commission also approved:

• A 10-by-17-foot LED light display for on-site announcements on the side of Heinz Field facing east.

• Alcoa's request to install a 12-by-12-foot sign on a corner of its headquarters on the North Shore.

• The design of a pedestrian walkway down a steep slope between the new Penguins arena and the Pythian Church.

Oakland, Calif., artist Walter Hood designed a meandering walkway, with rain gardens and looping recesses wrapped in three-dimensional "curtains" of glass tile.

Mr. Hood asked for people in the neighborhood to submit photographs, which will be screened on the glass to reflect the community. There will be 5,000 photographs.

Point Park University also unveiled a plan to turn the southeast corner of Wood Street and the Boulevard of the Allies into a plaza, with a waterfall, a cafe, an arcade walkway and nine-story glass stair tower attached to Frontier Hall.

Diana Nelson Jones can be reached at djones@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1626. Visit her blog, "City Walkabout," at www.post-gazette.com/localnews/.

[hyperion1110]

More on PNC's vertical garden.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/PNC_Plans_Living_/Green_Wall_In_Pittsburgh/prweb2663944.htm

http://ww1.prweb.com/prfiles/2009/07/21/214612/gI_0_PNCGreenWall.jpg

PNC Plans Largest Green Living™ Wall In North America

Pittsburgh, PA (PRWEB) July 21, 2009 -- The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC) today debuted plans to create an environmentally friendly living wall at its Pittsburgh headquarters.

The 2,380 sq. ft., soil-based Green Living™ Wall on the south-facing exterior of One PNC Plaza will be the largest in North America. A variety of plants suited to the region will grow into living art on the wall above the corner of Fifth Avenue and Wood Street.

"The wall will be a fitting reminder that PNC is the world-leader in green building," said PNC Director of Corporate Real Estate Gary Saulson. "City sidewalks are cooler and quieter thanks to shade and sound absorption by green walls and urban planting. Together with our recently announced PNC Triangle Park just one block away, the wall will create much needed green space in the Fifth Avenue corridor and offers a distinctive welcome to PNC's downtown campus."

PNC has constructed more green buildings certified by the United States Green Building Council under its LEED® program than any other company in the world. Its roster includes 64 trademark Green Branch® locations and two office buildings. More Green Branch locations and two other office buildings are either under construction or awaiting certification.

The wall is a product of Green Living™ Technologies (GLT) of Rochester, N.Y. and designed by Mingo Design of New York. Plant Connection is the US Distributor and Lead Grower for Green Living Technologies. Cenkner Engineering Associates of Coraopolis, Pa. and BD&E Strategic Branding and Design of Pittsburgh provided engineering and additional design. PNC acquired all hardware, plants, materials and installers within a 500 mile radius from Pittsburgh.

PNC expects the green wall to be installed in September 2009, pending municipal approval. The wall mount consists of a stainless steel bracketing and panel system anchored directly into One PNC Plaza's reinforced concrete masonry. Six hundred two panels of soil-based growth medium will weigh approximately 24 tons when fully watered via an internally controlled irrigation system.

"The PNC wall was carefully designed with plants that provide a wide variety of textures and color to accommodate not just the geographic region but the existing micro climate. This wall may require just 15 minutes of watering once a week," said GLT partner and co-founder George Irwin. "It also offers cooling for the building. Preliminary studies show a south facing Green Living Wall can be 70 to 80 degrees cooler than other surfaces on the same building."

[PA Pride]

^That should look good on that big blank wall of PNC 1.

[Burgh15]

It'd be nice if others follow in building green walls. That will be a very nice addition.

[Gilamonster]

The wall is definately an interesting idea, but I think it looks a bit silly.

[pj3000]

^ I think it will actually end up looking pretty cool.

[bradjl2009]

I think the wall is very cool and if it stays up for the long term, it will be another way that Pittsburgh is unique.

[AaronPGH]

I would love to see these all over downtown buildings....and I'd love to see non-corporate logo'd ones...possibly designed by top local artists.

Still...this is awesome and I can't wait to see it!

[PA Pride]

BTW, sweet avatar Aaron. Are you gonna vote for Obama in '08? LOL

[Tombstoner]

I think the wall is very cool and if it stays up for the long term, it will be another way that Pittsburgh is unique.

I really like the wall too and think it will be a great addition to the Pittsburgh streetscape, but I think the concept was made pretty high-profile by Jean Nouvel at the Musee du Quay Branly in Paris. Since then (2005) a few other cities have tried this, so unique it's not.

[Wiz Khalifa]

Looks like its a done deal now, Denzel is now back on board for "Unstoppable".



http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09204/985936-455.stm (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09204/985936-455.stm)


Denzel Washington back in movie filming in Pittsburgh
Thursday, July 23, 2009
By Barbara Vancheri, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Unstoppable" is back on track, literally, with Denzel Washington and bound for Pittsburgh.

A source at 20th Century Fox has confirmed to the Post-Gazette the studio is moving ahead with the project with the two-time Oscar winner on board. With "Warrior" pulling up stakes this week, the arrival of "Unstoppable" will make for almost non-stop work for the city's film crews.

The trade publication Variety first reported on its Web site that nearly two weeks after Washington formally withdrew from the Tony Scott picture, the actor and studio had come to terms and pre-production resumed in Pittsburgh.

The budget, which Fox reportedly wanted to hold to $90 million, and salaries for A-list director Mr. Scott and Mr. Washington, were sticking points, but the issues were resolved, paving the way for the actor and director to reunite for a fifth time.

Mr. Washington will appear alongside "Star Trek" breakout star Chris Pine in the story of an unmanned runaway train loaded with toxic cargo.
More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Post-Gazette movie editor Barbara Vancheri can be reached at bvancheri@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1632.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09204/985936-455.stm#ixzz0M8KrXUHx

[MattofSloppyVariety]

It's been a while since i have been here, but can anyone feel me in on what is going on on Baum Blvd.? They are currently digging the lot next to GetGo, and I'm not sure if they are tearing down the old Taco Bell, or just stripping the exterior to remodel it. There are two big dumpsters outside the building and all the awnings appear to be gone. Any information anyone can give would be great.

[themaguffin]

Hey guys, the in general "city discussion" sub forum, KCGridlock is asking for suggestions for cities to revisit

I have asked is he would actually make "first" trip to Pittsburgh before revisiting other cities. He has taken some skyline shots before I believe, but he am not aware of him doing one of his great "Above" collections for Pittsburgh. In any case, you might want to add to that conversation....

[Evergrey]

It's been a while since i have been here, but can anyone feel me in on what is going on on Baum Blvd.? They are currently digging the lot next to GetGo, and I'm not sure if they are tearing down the old Taco Bell, or just stripping the exterior to remodel it. There are two big dumpsters outside the building and all the awnings appear to be gone. Any information anyone can give would be great.

GetGo is expanding and eliminating the WetGo component.


...


surprised there isn't more chatter about this here...

http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/20192140/detail.html

Fishing Tournament Stands To Net Pittsburgh Millions

FLW Outdoors Forest Wood Cup Starts This Week

POSTED: 2:00 pm EDT July 27, 2009
UPDATED: 2:13 pm EDT July 27, 2009

PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh, brace yourself -- over the next few days the 'burgh is being invaded by bass boats.

The FLW Outdoors Forest Wood Cup Championship is being held in the city.

Seventy-seven of the world's best bass fishermen are converging on Pittsburgh, competing for $1 million.

But Channel 4 Action News's Kelly Frey found the city stands to reel in even more.

For the first time, the championship is taking place on Pittsburgh's rivers, thanks to the success of the Bassmaster Classic in 2005.

Never had a fishing tournament seen such a fan turnout in such a beautiful urban setting with such challenging terrain, Frey reported. So Forest Cup organizers decided they also wanted to cash in.

"The FLW people came and said, 'We want it! We want what they got,'" said organizer Ken Komoroski.

Komoroski said not only will Pittsburgh shine in the national spotlight and attract more than 60,000 fans, the city stands to reel in tens of millions of dollars.

"This will bring some $40 million to $50 million to the region. This is an enormous economic impact to the region. In fact, until the G-20 Summit was announced, this was by far the biggest event the VisitPittsburgh had planned for the city of Pittsburgh," Komoroski said.

Along with the main event, FLW will also host three days of events at David L. Lawrence convention center, including a large outdoor trade show.

Admission is free to the show and Pittsburghers can also participate in fantasy fishing online. Correctly selecting who will win the championship will net the winner $1 million, without him or her ever having to hit the water.

For more information about the Forrest Wood Cup Championship, visit flw.flwoutdoors.com/forrestwoodcup

[Evergrey]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09211/987380-407.stm

Developers don't want subsidies linked to wages

Thursday, July 30, 2009
By Rich Lord, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Telling stores and hotels what to pay their workers would be tantamount to telling them not to come to Pittsburgh, developers say in response to a push in City Council this week to tie construction subsidies to new business wages.

That was the concerted -- if not orchestrated -- response to calls Monday by labor unions and community activists, plus some council members, for new rules attached to city development aid. Some advocates want businesses lured to large, taxpayer-backed projects to have to pay "prevailing wages" or "living wages," and possibly agree to environmental standards and community benefits.

New rules "would potentially make it more challenging for us to land that tenant that would make our development successful, by putting strings on peoples' business operations," said Lucas Piatt, executive vice president of Millcraft Industries, which is bringing stores and restaurants to Market Square. "It may cause tenants to go to the suburbs."

Labor union leaders and council allies, though, said they believe legislation can promote fair pay at city-backed hotels, office complexes and stores, without stifling growth.

"If people getting big-scale money from the public don't want to commit to providing good-paying jobs, then don't take the money," said Gabe Morgan, director of Service Employees International Union Local 32 BJ. "It is absolutely government's place to say to large companies asking for large handouts, 'Here's what it's appropriate to do with our money.'"

The push for new development rules has emerged out of community groups' stalled drive for a benefits agreement related to Continental Development's North Shore projects. At a council public hearing on Monday, that push broadened into a call for citywide development aid rules.

That prompted an e-mail late Tuesday by city Urban Redevelopment Authority Executive Director Rob Stephany to developers, asking them to contact council and the media.

"While I think we all support the concept of living wages, we worry about putting the city at a competitive disadvantage as well as potential unintended detrimental impacts to city residents and neighborhoods" if wage requirements are placed on subsidy beneficiaries, he wrote.

"It'll kill development," said Mabon Lichtenfels, vice president of construction and design for the Soffer Organization, which is building the 34-acre SouthSide Works. "I think what would occur is [potential retail tenants would] come in and ask for a reduction in rent from the landlord to make up for the higher wage. We'd have to say we can't do that. And that would kill development."

National companies "are super-proprietary about anything that has anything to do with their hiring," said Mark Minnerly, director of real estate development at The Mosites Co., which is trying to bring a Target store to its Eastside complex on the border of East Liberty and Shadyside. The URA board has agreed to $2 million in tax-increment financing to improve the road system for Target.

While a tax credit or other incentive to pay good wages would help attract companies, any personnel-related demand "can be a deal killer," he said.

"How do I control what my tenants pay employees?" asked Mr. Piatt. "Do I have to kick them out if they don't play by the rules?"

Council President Doug Shields said council would only make rules for development that gets city taxpayer help, and wouldn't touch construction done entirely with private funds.

"If you want me as an equity partner in your business deal, then I, like any other equity partner, am going to have certain requirements," he said.

He said that developers like Continental often get three subsidies: land prepared by the city and sold at a bargain price; government grants or loans; and then the help the state and federal government must provide to low-wage employees like janitors. Workers in their developments, he said, should be paid enough so they don't have to live in public housing and rely on state health insurance.

Mr. Morgan said wages at subsidized developments shouldn't undercut those of workers at established businesses. Just as construction workers at government-backed projects get prevailing wages, workers at new, taxpayer-aided hotels and janitors at publicly backed office buildings should get salaries like those paid by competing businesses.

Prevailing wages usually are determined by the average of wages paid at all similar businesses, such as hotels, restaurants or construction sites.

Developers countered that they may be creating some entry-level jobs, but many of the positions they bring to the city pay much better. SouthSide Works, for instance, brought in the American Eagle Outfitters headquarters.

Councilman William Peduto said wages are just a part of an emerging raft of legislation that also would tie development subsidies to the environmental and community impact of a project. That reflects a deepening alliance between labor unions, community groups, environmentalists and some clergy, he said.

"It's a gathering of the tribes, and it's a politically powerful force to reckon with," he said.

A similar coalition narrowly failed to win city and Allegheny County living wage legislation in 2001. It would have set a minimum wage of $10.62 an hour, or $9.12 with benefits, for employees of those governments, their vendors, and businesses that get economic assistance. Business groups opposed it.

Mr. Peduto and Mr. Shields said they might introduce legislation in September.
Rich Lord can be reached at rlord@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1542.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09211/987380-407.stm#ixzz0Mkw51HH7

[bradjl2009]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09211/987380-407.stm

Developers don't want subsidies linked to wages

Thursday, July 30, 2009
By Rich Lord, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Telling stores and hotels what to pay their workers would be tantamount to telling them not to come to Pittsburgh, developers say in response to a push in City Council this week to tie construction subsidies to new business wages.

That was the concerted -- if not orchestrated -- response to calls Monday by labor unions and community activists, plus some council members, for new rules attached to city development aid. Some advocates want businesses lured to large, taxpayer-backed projects to have to pay "prevailing wages" or "living wages," and possibly agree to environmental standards and community benefits.

New rules "would potentially make it more challenging for us to land that tenant that would make our development successful, by putting strings on peoples' business operations," said Lucas Piatt, executive vice president of Millcraft Industries, which is bringing stores and restaurants to Market Square. "It may cause tenants to go to the suburbs."

Labor union leaders and council allies, though, said they believe legislation can promote fair pay at city-backed hotels, office complexes and stores, without stifling growth.

"If people getting big-scale money from the public don't want to commit to providing good-paying jobs, then don't take the money," said Gabe Morgan, director of Service Employees International Union Local 32 BJ. "It is absolutely government's place to say to large companies asking for large handouts, 'Here's what it's appropriate to do with our money.'"

The push for new development rules has emerged out of community groups' stalled drive for a benefits agreement related to Continental Development's North Shore projects. At a council public hearing on Monday, that push broadened into a call for citywide development aid rules.

That prompted an e-mail late Tuesday by city Urban Redevelopment Authority Executive Director Rob Stephany to developers, asking them to contact council and the media.

"While I think we all support the concept of living wages, we worry about putting the city at a competitive disadvantage as well as potential unintended detrimental impacts to city residents and neighborhoods" if wage requirements are placed on subsidy beneficiaries, he wrote.

"It'll kill development," said Mabon Lichtenfels, vice president of construction and design for the Soffer Organization, which is building the 34-acre SouthSide Works. "I think what would occur is [potential retail tenants would] come in and ask for a reduction in rent from the landlord to make up for the higher wage. We'd have to say we can't do that. And that would kill development."

National companies "are super-proprietary about anything that has anything to do with their hiring," said Mark Minnerly, director of real estate development at The Mosites Co., which is trying to bring a Target store to its Eastside complex on the border of East Liberty and Shadyside. The URA board has agreed to $2 million in tax-increment financing to improve the road system for Target.

While a tax credit or other incentive to pay good wages would help attract companies, any personnel-related demand "can be a deal killer," he said.

"How do I control what my tenants pay employees?" asked Mr. Piatt. "Do I have to kick them out if they don't play by the rules?"

Council President Doug Shields said council would only make rules for development that gets city taxpayer help, and wouldn't touch construction done entirely with private funds.

"If you want me as an equity partner in your business deal, then I, like any other equity partner, am going to have certain requirements," he said.

He said that developers like Continental often get three subsidies: land prepared by the city and sold at a bargain price; government grants or loans; and then the help the state and federal government must provide to low-wage employees like janitors. Workers in their developments, he said, should be paid enough so they don't have to live in public housing and rely on state health insurance.

Mr. Morgan said wages at subsidized developments shouldn't undercut those of workers at established businesses. Just as construction workers at government-backed projects get prevailing wages, workers at new, taxpayer-aided hotels and janitors at publicly backed office buildings should get salaries like those paid by competing businesses.

Prevailing wages usually are determined by the average of wages paid at all similar businesses, such as hotels, restaurants or construction sites.

Developers countered that they may be creating some entry-level jobs, but many of the positions they bring to the city pay much better. SouthSide Works, for instance, brought in the American Eagle Outfitters headquarters.

Councilman William Peduto said wages are just a part of an emerging raft of legislation that also would tie development subsidies to the environmental and community impact of a project. That reflects a deepening alliance between labor unions, community groups, environmentalists and some clergy, he said.

"It's a gathering of the tribes, and it's a politically powerful force to reckon with," he said.

A similar coalition narrowly failed to win city and Allegheny County living wage legislation in 2001. It would have set a minimum wage of $10.62 an hour, or $9.12 with benefits, for employees of those governments, their vendors, and businesses that get economic assistance. Business groups opposed it.

Mr. Peduto and Mr. Shields said they might introduce legislation in September.
Rich Lord can be reached at rlord@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1542.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09211/987380-407.stm#ixzz0Mkw51HH7
I'm torn on this, on one side I see this as government intrusion in the free market system where it isn't needed. On the other side, I also see that if the government is giving a developer a lot of money, the government should have to right to tell the developer to do some things at least. I would be worried though that some developers will just go to the suburbs instead of BSing with the city of issues like this.

[Black-n-Gold]

I'm torn on this, on one side I see this as government intrusion in the free market system where it isn't needed. On the other side, I also see that if the government is giving a developer a lot of money, the government should have to right to tell the developer to do some things at least. I would be worried though that some developers will just go to the suburbs instead of BSing with the city of issues like this.

I agree - a complicated issue to be sure. Another thing to keep in mind is that with our local government structure the "suburbs" could be just the other side of Banksville road (Dormont and Mt. Lebanon) or next door on McKnight Road (Ross Township) or across an alley in Regent Square (Edgewood, Swissvale and Wilkinsbug). Makes it that much easier for a developer to leave the city and still capture the same market they were after.

[AaronPGH]

I'm against it. Not on the fence....for the reasons you guys posted. Build up the city, make it desirable first and then the wages will naturally increase over time. That's how it works. They're jumping the gun here.

[Evergrey]

I'm against it. Not on the fence....for the reasons you guys posted. Build up the city, make it desirable first and then the wages will naturally increase over time. That's how it works. They're jumping the gun here.

Word. The council members of this city in fiscal receivership have already killed off enough developments by acquiescing to the fabricated histrionics of amorphous "community groups" in the past year (Baum-Liberty, Chicken Hill)... no need to make the city a "no-development zone" by enacting this "living wage" legislation. It would have many unintended consequences.





...


http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_636113.html

Snubbed developer seeks $5 million from Trust over RiverParc project

By Bill Zlatos
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, July 31, 2009

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/photos/2009-07-30/0731trust1-a.jpg
Pittsburgh Popcorn Co. on Liberty Avenue, Downtown, is one of the businesses opened with the help of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
Andrew Russell/Tribune-Review

With less money coming in from corporations and foundations and a request for more tax money to fill the gap, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust faces a court fight seeking millions of dollars over a stalled Downtown development.

Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Joseph James signed an order Wednesday that allows developer Concord Eastridge Inc. to pursue some of its claims against the trust for the $500 million project, called RiverParc.

The trust hired Concord Eastridge in 2006 for an ambitious transformation of the area roughly between Seventh and Ninth streets and Fort Duquesne Boulevard and Penn Avenue that was to include shops, a park, restaurants and housing. The project never went ahead. Trust officials in May 2008 cited the volatile economy, especially in the credit and mortgage industry.

Both sides declined to comment Thursday on the judge's ruling.

In its lawsuit filed in February, Concord Eastridge asked for at least $5.2 million. The developer alleges breach of contract and negligent or intentional misrepresentations caused by the trust's failure to advance the project and to sell parcels to the developer for $5.9 million.

In court filings, the trust contends that the documents cited by Concord Eastridge do not require the trust to enter into a formal development agreement with the company and sell it the land in the development area.

J. Kevin McMahon, president and CEO of the trust, insists that the project is postponed but not canceled.

"There's no question that a great new residential development will be built on those properties," he said.

James ruled that Concord Eastridge can pursue the lawsuit under the terms of a revised memorandum of understanding with the trust to sell the property and a draft development agreement outlining the proposed sale.

The trust is asking the Allegheny Regional Asset District for $1.2 million, which would be an increase of $430,000, or 56 percent, in 2010. David Donahoe, executive director of the Regional Asset District, said no RAD money can be used by the trust in connection with the lawsuit.

RAD supports stadiums, parks, libraries and cultural groups with one-half of the proceeds from an additional 1 percent sales tax in Allegheny County. RAD's board, though, warned that its revenues have been dipping the past few months because of the recession.

McMahon said support from foundations and corporations has declined about 35 percent.

"That's a big hit," McMahon said.

Earlier this year, the trust laid off 10 employees and eliminated six vacant positions. The personnel reductions make up 17 percent of the organization's work force. It now has 82 full-time employees.

McMahon trimmed expenditures by about $1.3 million this fiscal year. The programming budget was cut 18 percent.

"The main reason we're hoping we'll get an increase is we need one," McMahon said. "We are looking at 2010 with very serious concern over what resources will be available to us to program for the citizens of the county."

Donahoe, of the Regional Asset District, praised the trust's willingness to take over financially troubled groups such as the International Children's Theater and the Three River Arts Festival. Donahoe estimated that, next to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the trust has received the biggest increase in RAD funding — from $139,000 in 1995 to $770,000 now.

But, he added, "One thing I can assure you, the district's budget is not going up 56 percent."

[pj3000]

Construction worker prevailing wages on tax-supported projects is fair. This proposal seems to take it a step too far if attracting more development in the city is desired. Not a good time at all to enact this, unless we don't want to see any of those proposed developments really get out of the planning stages.

[Evergrey]

I'm surprised and delighted the Post-Gazette is coming out against City Council's "living wage" idea...

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09217/988581-192.stm

Risky business: The city shouldn't dictate an employer's wages

Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Anyone who thinks it's easy to lure development to Pittsburgh has a short memory.

Right now, construction of the new Three PNC Plaza office tower on Fifth Avenue is well under way and high-end condominiums are selling at Piatt Place at the corner of Wood Street. On the North Shore, a new hotel is in the works near PNC Park and the city's new slots casino will open Sunday.

But the local development scene has not always been so active, something City Council members must keep in mind when they consider imposing new rules on developers seeking to do business here.

Some members have raised the possibility of linking development subsidies to the wages that would be paid by businesses that move in. Council President Doug Shields says whether they're owners or tenants, those businesses should have to pay their workers enough money so they're not eligible for food stamps or the state's Child Health Insurance Program.

A long list of developers who do business with the city say otherwise, and we agree with them.

Such regulation undoubtedly would increase the cost of doing business in Pittsburgh, and the city is not an island; developers need only travel a few miles to the suburbs to avoid such a restriction. The situation would be different if a larger region, preferably the whole state, had the same rules in place.

This is not to say the city should not impose conditions on developers that accept subsidies funded by taxpayers. For instance, a measure crafted by Councilman Bill Peduto and enacted last month requires them to meet green building standards, which promises environmental payback for the city and the developer.

Maybe City Council can find a way to encourage developers to build close to public transit, for instance. There must be other ways, too, for the city to tie subsidies to outcomes that benefit the taxpayers, methods that aren't as risky as dictating wage rates for future Pittsburgh employers.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09217/988581-192.stm#ixzz0NHlN5YKX

[Evergrey]

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2009/08/10/story1.html?b=1249876800^1896131

Friday, August 7, 2009

Icelandic firm sues DOC-Economou

Pittsburgh Business Times - by Tim Schooley

First came the big splash. Now comes the legal chill across a frozen sea of debt.

In early 2008, the joint venture company DOC-Economou Partners proposed, within a month of one another, two major development projects estimated to cost more than $300 million: a $48 million condo hotel project at SouthSide Works and an ambitious redevelopment of the former Don Allen car dealership site in Bloomfield.

Neither project came to fruition, and now DOC-Economou is being sued by its Icelandic investor over funds fronted for the South Side project.

An Icelandic investment firm called SS Buyco EHF filed suit in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas accusing all local companies owned and affiliated with Fort Myers, Fla.-based Development Opportunity Corp. and Chicago-based Economou Partners of mismanaging and misappropriating its investments in the South Side development.

In its lawsuit, SS Buyco accuses the companies of “grossly unfair self-dealing” and “gross mismanagement” that lead it to have “virtually nothing to show for the millions of dollars that have been expended over the last two years” on the condo/hotel.

According to the lawsuit, Buyco initially agreed in November 2007 to invest as much as $14 million in the project and followed through with investments totalling $6.1 million. The company says DOC-Economou repaid $600,000, leaving $5.5 million spent in ways not accounted for.

Buyco says it was the only investor in the project and expected to be a 60 percent owner. Its lawsuit asks the court to demand documentation for how the money was spent and accuses DOC-Economou of using the money to pay themselves fees for a range of development services.

As a member of the organization established for the condo/hotel project, SS Buyco also seeks to have the partnership dissolved. Neither DOC nor Economou have yet to formally respond to the legal action.

Brenda Yurick, general counsel and executive vice president with DOC-Economou, said the company will defend itself over a case she described as “frivolous.”

“We clearly have attorneys engaged, and we’ll make an appropriate response,” she said.

Phil Hugh, a native of Fayette County and principal of DOC, said the company was blindsided by the lawsuit. The company has spent two years working diligently to get full approvals and permits to develop the project, only to have its ambitions thwarted by last fall’s credit crisis, which ended any possibility to get financing, he said.

Hugh said the company has all the documentation needed to prove it.

The lawsuit was filed in early July and follows a similar lawsuit a related company of Buyco filed in Wisconsin in June over a DOC-Economou project in downtown Milwaukee. In that case, a Buyco affiliate says it fronted $17.4 million for an unfinished hotel/condo project and requested the project be placed into receivership in June.

Hugh said the lawsuits are very different.

The Allegheny County lawsuit comes six to nine months after DOC-Economou dropped plans for both projects here.

The SouthSide Works condo hotel project was expected to include a 200,000-square-foot spa, a conference facility, restaurants and shops in a 13-story building with 120 hotel rooms and 23 condos.

Yet the SouthSide Works condo/hotel fell off the drawing board because the development couldn’t get enough financing to complete it, Hugh said. Its option agreement on the riverfront property eventually expired.

The Baum-Liberty project, a mixed-use development, struggled to get full community approval and eventually fell through as well.

The joint partnership combined the skills and assets of Economou Partners, a development company that operates with design, engineering and construction capabilities under one roof, with Development Opportunity Corp., a hotel development and management firm lead by Hugh. DOC-Economou’s office in Wexford now employs two after having a staff of 12 last year.

When it introduced its projects, the fact that DOC-Economou’s financial backing came from Iceland seemed like a curious footnote to dramatic neighborhood-changing developments.

Last fall, however, the country, which had become an oasis of banking and finance, was hit hard by the credit crisis and saw much of its paper wealth all but disappear.

Hugh said if financing were available that he’d consider pursuing the projects again.

“This project died purely due to the economy situation,” he said. “We were in the middle of a project when the U.S. banking system stopped funding.”

Dan Puntil, a senior vice president who leads the Pittsburgh office for Grandbridge Real Estate Capital, expects strained relationships between developers and their on-edge funders.

“There were people running around for a while thinking you could pretty much do anything and it would work,” he said. “There is, and there will be, a heightened sense of friction and tension between borrowers and lenders until the economy improves and the lending environment improves.”

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

[Gilamonster]

Just a day and a half until the casino opens ! ...:apple:
Once the insanity dies down, I'll go down to check out the building and the surrounding area and to see what they have to eat, but I won't drop a penny into a slots machine. Four years ago, I put $2.00 into a slot machine in California and it has haunted me since.

[Evergrey]

cool... take some photos of the garage and its ancillary structures for us (such as the casino)

[bradjl2009]

Well speaking of the casino, this will def cause some controversy, and may give the Meadows a boost on Steelers game days.


Football fans must pay $50 to park at casino
Free with $80 bet, Rivers Casino says
Saturday, August 08, 2009
By Mark Belko, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

If you're playing slots at the Rivers Casino on a Steelers game day, be prepared to drop at least $50. And that's just in the parking garage.

The casino is planning to charge $50 to park in its massive 3,800-space garage during Steelers games and other big events at Heinz Field. That is expected to start Thursday with the Steelers' first preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.

On game days, customers at the casino, which is located near the stadium, must bet at least $80 in order to get the fee waived. If someone bets less than $80, he or she still must pay the full $50 parking fee.

By comparison, reserved parking in lots near Heinz Field is $30 for Steelers regular season games and $40 for playoff games. Cash parking in non-reserved lots is $25 a game.

Casino officials said yesterday they set a $50 fee for Steelers and University of Pittsburgh football games and other big events at Heinz Field in an effort to preserve spaces for their patrons.

"This will ensure that people who come to plays slots will have access to our facility," Rivers spokesman Dan Fee said. "From our perspective, there are a limited number of days during which this will be an issue. Our goal has to be to make sure our patrons have an enjoyable time and get to the casino."

Casino officials said they do not believe asking players to bet at least $80 on game days to get free parking is unrealistic. Christie Barron, vice president of marketing, said that over a six-hour period most people will bet at least that much on slot machines.

She said any free play awarded by the casino counts toward the $80. The casino will keep track of the betting through player cards issued to customers.

"It's a very doable number for someone to receive complimentary parking," she said.

Rivers officials said they intend to re-evaluate the fee and the amount of wagering required to get free parking after the first preseason game.

"We're going to experiment and see what works," Chief Executive Officer Greg Carlin said. "The goal is that our customers, our players, they shouldn't have to pay for parking. But if you're going to the Steeler game and you want to use our lot, then you should have to pay."

On other days in August, parking will be free. After that, the casino likely will charge a daily fee to prevent parking from being gobbled up by commuters. At the same time, it wants to find a way to give free parking to customers, Mr. Carlin said.

The casino completed the last of two test runs yesterday evening and likely will get the go ahead today from the state Gaming Control Board for its noon grand opening tomorrow.
Mark Belko can be reached at mbelko@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1262.
First published on August 8, 2009 at 12:00 am

Read more: http://www.postgazette.com/pg/09220/989493-66.stm#ixzz0NbFXJrH5

[Evergrey]

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/business/s_637448.html

South Side Works developer widens appeal with locals, independents

By Allison M. Heinrichs, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, August 9, 2009

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/photos/2009-08-08/WomenShopping-a.jpg
Kisha Pattin (left), 24, and Shayla Calvert, 27, both of Wilkinsburg, browse at the new VIA Boutique at the South Side Works.
Sidney L. Davis/Tribune-Review

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/photos/2009-08-08/PaulaDunn-a.jpg
Paula Dunn owns Polished, another boutique in the South Side Works complex.
Joe Appel/Tribune-Review

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/photos/2009-08-08/Shop412-a.jpg
Customers peruse the racks at Shop.412 as a turntable spins some of today's popular sounds.
Joe Appel/Tribune-Review

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/photos/2009-08-08/PolishedBoutique-a.jpg
A woman walks past Polished boutique in the South Side Works.
Joe Appel/Tribune-Review

As he rang in the New Year, R. Damian Soffer decided something had to change.

The chairman and owner of Soffer Organization, developer of South Side Works, had watched as several chain stores closed shop and left behind vacant storefronts in a tough economic climate.

"All of a sudden, Sharper Image disappeared from the planet, and that was disappointing because it was a pretty cool store. And then some other chains followed," Soffer said. "So I made a New Year's resolution: I'm going to try to deal with locals and independents. And I went out and hand-selected them."

So far, the technique has worked. The outdoor retail mecca has four vacant storefronts, about 8 percent of its retail space. That is just below the national mall vacancy rate, which averages 8.4 percent, according to commercial real estate analyst Reis Inc.

The Waterfront, an outdoor mall in Homestead, has a 7 percent vacancy rate, or about six empty storefronts, according to its owner Diversified Realty in Beachwood, Ohio. Traditional indoor malls the Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills and the Monroeville Mall, have 27 percent and 35 percent vacancy rates, respectively, according to a Trib analysis of vacant storefronts.

Soffer Organization felt good about its effort to attract the anti-chains because those were the stores still standing at the South Side Works through the recession, said Pamelyn McMahon, Soffer's director of marketing.

"The only stores that closed here due to the recession and bankruptcy were the corporate stores," she said. "Anne Taylor Loft, Z Gallerie, Sharper Image — they were all because of bankruptcy or closing a number of stores to stay out of bankruptcy."

John Delaney, dean of the University of Pittsburgh's Katz Graduate School of Business, said the approach could do more than just keep storefronts filled — it could expand the shopping center's appeal.

"By bringing in more of these local entrepreneurs, you're liable to have a broader variety of stores," he said. "All these chains begin to blend together. But local shops have a variety of products and approaches that are more eclectic and might be an attraction in a location like the South Side Works."

The approach also will help the shopping center in the long-term, when the chain stores come calling again, said Burt Flickinger III, managing director of Strategic Resource Group in New York.

"It will be much, much more attractive to the more successful multiregional and national chains that will want the proximity to the Pittsburgh metropolitan market's most successful local stores," he said. "It's a strategy that will be much more successful for a sustained period of time vs. the national malls that are way over-stocked with retail chains."

To entice the local and independent stores, Soffer said he makes them attractive offers, such as month-to-month leases. He'll also work with entrepreneurs who have promising retail ideas by getting them in touch with his connections at Pitt's business school, where he lectures.

"We try to give them a chance, let's call it an incubator," Soffer said. "If you have a friend ... with some kind of idea to be in retail, bring them here, we'll help them, coddle them, help them get their financing, establish a business plan. Whatever they need."

Among the stores to open this year at South Side Works is Shop.412, a trendy clothing store that carries unique brands. It's owners, brothers Christian, 23, and Aaron, 25, Kinkela, created an inviting atmosphere for their younger clientele, complete with a couch, hip music and a turntable.

It's part of their effort to set themselves apart from the chain stores.

"Put simply, we care. When 9 o'clock hits and we are supposed to close our door, if there are still customers around, we don't lock it, we let them in. We relate to people because ... we are our own customer. I know how I want to be treated."

Across the plaza, VIA Boutique, a women's clothing store selling styles from up-and-coming local and national designers, recently celebrated its opening with a party in the store.

Co-owner Sharone Cohen said he picks clothes that can sell for reasonable prices and are too unique to be found in the chain stores.

"We're bringing you pieces that are straight from the runways," he said.

Paula Dunn moved her jewelry and accessories store to the South Side Works from Shadyside one year ago.

"I'm happy here, I really am," she said. "It's a lively, happening place. And down the road I see it getting even more exciting as they bring in more independent stores. The franchises, you can go anywhere, to any mall, and see the same stores. People want products you can't get anywhere else."

That's not to say that Soffer Organization is no longer courting the chains.

"Don't get me wrong, we'd take a chain," Soffer said. "But right now, the chains aren't answering the phone."


...


Here and gone

Chain-store closings that led to vacancies at the South Side Works prompted developers to pursue independent entrepreneurs and local shops, rather than corporate conglomerates.

These stores closed at the South Side Works in the past year:

• Z Gallerie

• Ann Taylor Loft

• Sharper Image

• Colleen Mac

• LS Altman

These stores and restaurants opened:

• Haufbrauhaus Pittsburgh

• The Wine Loft

• VIA Boutique

• Eyetique

• Polished

• Shop.412

• Buon Sapore

• Viatell

• IServizi Design

• Schoolhouse Yoga

These stores and restaurants plan to open soon:

• Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill!

• Adobe Gilas

• Walnut Grill/Shady Grove

• GNC

Source: Soffer Organization

About the writer

Allison M. Heinrichs can be reached via e-mail or at 412-380-5607.

[ColDayMan]

Nothing says urban like Toby Keith. They should have a restaurant next door called Terrorist Tapas.

[themaguffin]

Toby Keith????

This demonstrates that Soffer is incompetent.

[deja vu]

Photo Update on the nearly completed Gates Center Complex at Carnegie Mellon...Slated to be ready for those students and teachers lucky enough to occupy it for the fall 2009 semester.

http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/scencer/Gates%20Center/1.jpg

http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/scencer/Gates%20Center/2.jpg

http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/scencer/Gates%20Center/3.jpg

http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/scencer/Gates%20Center/4.jpg

http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/scencer/Gates%20Center/5.jpg

http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/scencer/Gates%20Center/6.jpg

http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/scencer/Gates%20Center/7.jpg

http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/scencer/Gates%20Center/8.jpg

http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/scencer/Gates%20Center/9.jpg

http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/scencer/Gates%20Center/10.jpg

http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/scencer/Gates%20Center/11.jpg

http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/scencer/Gates%20Center/12.jpg

http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/scencer/Gates%20Center/13.jpg

http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/scencer/Gates%20Center/14.jpg

[Gilamonster]

I went, I saw, I did not spend. I am not really impressed by this structure at all but here are some photos I took today. I did not go inside.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3469/3806199786_e321786744.jpg


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2638/3805377141_232da81f84.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3463/3805380515_919f25618a.jpg


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2628/3806196362_ed5253876f.jpg


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2560/3805378587_81d1ef99b9.jpg

The little park and amphitheater are quaint but nothing spectacular:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2661/3805378145_fecaea0b15.jpg


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2585/3805380123_b27f998543.jpg

Our favorite:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3512/3806198088_de00038a62.jpg


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2456/3806197650_50882771d2.jpg

There is quite a bit of empty land adjacent to the building towards the Heinz field side. It looks like it just hasn't been fully landscaped yet, though I wonder if thats the final plan for this parcel of land:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3568/3805377405_6c7c067f20.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3452/3805377909_1ab303a275.jpg

[Evergrey]

that parcel is projected for more slots according to the plans they published earlier

t'anks for the updates, folks!

[bradjl2009]

Yep an expansion for the casino and I think a hotel is also in the works for that spot eventually.

[Burgh15]

The casino turned out pretty bland IMO. Now the Gates Center is quite the complex there.

[Gilamonster]

Agreed. The Gates Center on CMU's campus is something that will really stand out and I say that in a good way though I'm sure some don't like it. What's with the thing that looks like a monorail track?

[designer3d712]

that parcel is projected for more slots according to the plans they published earlier

t'anks for the updates, folks!

Not sure that Parcel is for expansion. I know they talked about future expansion between the Casino and West End Bridge including garage addition and Hotel. All in all I think the Exterior is descent. I agree with everyone about the Garage. I just wish they would have designed it a little better. I drive right by the Casino during the weekdays to get to work, and there was no traffic what so ever. I was a little surprised. Actually looked like it was closed. Not sure when I will make it down there, but I would love to see interior photos, since that is where the majority of the money is spent.

The Gates Center looks pretty good. I would love to see an Aerial Photo.

[hyperion1110]

The Gates Center is so weird, and borderline ugly, that I think it loops back around to being cool looking :)

[deja vu]

Agreed. The Gates Center on CMU's campus is something that will really stand out and I say that in a good way though I'm sure some don't like it. What's with the thing that looks like a monorail track?

It's a 50ft high footbridge that links the complex to the Purnell Center for Drama. It's dedicated in memory to Randy Pausch, the former computer science professor who passed away. He was known for saying that drama goes hand in hand with computer science and that the two are always linked :) The handrail and finishes for it are just being installed now, and will incorporate ideas and lifelong lessons that he promoted. On a more practical level, it serves as a much needed connector between the upper and lower campuses. There is also a bridge that links The Gates Center to the Newell Simon Robotics building.

I like this building. There are many environmental considerations that have gone into it, the most obvious being the amount of natural light that it receives and the integration of landscape with building, which also will feature multiple green roofs for lounging and studying. It also gives CMU a new level of density - the lower campus is become a jungle of buildings, but despite the drastic differences in designs, there is still some level of continuity between everything. I can't wait to get inside and photograph that too.

[deja vu]

As far as the casino, I agree that the architecture is bland, artificial and nearly non-existent as far as I can tell. They did a good job of matching the feel of many of the developments on the North Side riverfront though. I'm not saying whether that's good or bad...

[cdc]

Photo Update on the nearly completed Gates Center Complex at Carnegie Mellon...Slated to be ready for those students and teachers lucky enough to occupy it for the fall 2009 semester.

Nice picts, thanks. CMU got a temporary occupancy permit (the
building is "97% finished" or so they say), so they are able to start
their Gates move in today. (So, random people should be able to get
in the building, in case you want to get some inside shots or just
check it out.) The only entrance that will be open is the one on
level 3 (between Smith and Newell Simon). The other entrances should
be open by Aug 24th. The Newell Simon bridge should be opened around
Sept 8, the Pausch Bridge towards the end of Sept.

Bill Gates himself is supposed to come to CMU for the formal building
opening, around the time of the G20 meeting.

[cdc]

Agreed. The Gates Center on CMU's campus is something that will really stand out and I say that in a good way though I'm sure some don't like it. What's with the thing that looks like a monorail track?

Monorail track is really the Pausch Bridge (not complete yet). It
will connect Gates up to the Purnell Center for the Arts and provide a
new walking path from the eastern part of campus to the west (via
Gates). The concrete bed of the bridge has its own heating system, so
they shouldn't have to shovel or salt it in the winter.

[JakeLiefer]

In a setback of successful urban planning, the garage-laden Rivers Casino has cut off access to part of the North Shore trail. The trail, which runs along the Ohio River and up the Allegheny (with plans to soon go all the way up to Erie), now has 'Private Property' signs listed up at the Casino and requires bicyclists to dismount and walk their bicycles on the property. Once again, the casino has sidestepped the community plan and not fulfilled their obligations. In the community plan, there is an agreement that the trail will be opened and accessible. This is hardly accessible or a complete trail for everyone in the community to enjoy at this point.

I would appreciate it if you call the city's 311 hotline and the casino at 412-231-7777. This trail is part of a comprehensive multimodel transportation system that we'd all like to see. Let's not allow the casino to further their suburban sprawl mentality in our city.

[PA Pride]

Thanks Deja & Gila!

Gates center looks awesome. Love it!

http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/scencer/Gates%20Center/2.jpg

Casino looks good from the river, ugly from any other angle. And I would like to say that in my opinion, the garage doesn't look nearly as bad as I thought:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3512/3806198088_de00038a62.jpg

[JakeLiefer]

Cyclists upset about casino's 'no ride' policy on trail
Monday, August 10, 2009
By Rich Lord, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Cyclists should be able to ride past the Rivers Casino, Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said today, in response to a chorus of concerns about a walk-your-bike policy along that section of the North Shore trail.

Cyclists who endured the lengthy closure of the trail during the casino's construction were upset to learn, over the weekend, that they had to walk their bikes in front of the slots venue.

Howard Slomer, a 66-year-old retired computer analyst from Reserve, who bikes area trails several times a week, said he was dismayed on Sunday to see signs requiring that cyclists walk their bikes past the casino.

"I cannot easily walk that distance in bike shoes and I also have a bad knee that makes it difficult to walk and push my bike that distance," he said. He said that when he ignored the signs, a security guard told him to dismount, but he biked on.

"Many folks in the bicycle community are upset, as well they should be, because that trail should be a point where people can continue to bike," said Mr. Ravenstahl. "I would say that we share the frustration of the cyclist community with that issue. It was our understanding that that would be an area where cyclists could continue to bike.

"We're going to work with the casino to try to get that rectified."

Casino spokesman Dan Fee said he was aware of the restriction, but did not know if it is temporary or permanent. Nor did he have any immediate information regarding the reason for the restriction.

"It is private property," he said. "I don't know what the substance of their complaint is."

Within the city, the trail runs from Washington's Landing to Western Penitentiary.


Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09222/989915-100.stm

[psuhoops123]

Does anyone know what that stone structure is that they're building in front of Heinz Field?

[EventHorizon]

It's a structure dedicated to children. A statue of Fred Rogers will be placed there.


Tribute (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07144/788654-53.stm)

It's being carved out of the old Manchester Bridge pier:
http://www.post-gazette.com/images4/20070524ho_artistsillo_rogers1_450.jpg

[Gilamonster]

The casino spokesman is Dan Fee.

[DBR96A]

The casino spokesman is Dan Fee.

Appropriate surname. :P

[JakeLiefer]

Cyclists will be allowed to ride trail near casino
Monday, August 10, 2009
By Rich Lord, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Cyclists will again be welcome to ride the trail adjacent to the just-opened Rivers Casino, according to Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato's spokesman.

Bike riders were incensed over the weekend to see a sandwich board sign on the North Shore trail, at the border between the Carnegie Science Center's property and the Rivers Casino's front lawn, reading "Private Property, Please Walk Bikes." The longstanding, popular trail that runs from Washington's Landing to Western Penitentiary was closed for more than a year, and cyclists were anxious to start using it again when casino construction ended.

Legislation passed by Pittsburgh City Council and signed by Mayor Luke Ravenstahl in May governing the land in front of the casino guaranteed that the trail would be open as "a public pedestrian walkway and bike path" for as long as they city wanted it to be used as such, except when it has to be closed for construction, improvements, maintenance, emergencies, or when the casino feels use of the trail "may adversely affect safety or security of the public."

After cyclists complained about the walk-your-bikes restrictions, Mr. Onorato's Special Projects Coordinator Darla Cravotta today called casino Community Relations Manager George Matta. "George told us that they are going to change the sign that's there," said county spokesman Kevin Evanto "to something along the lines of, 'Please proceed with caution.' "

"We do not want our customers to be inadvertantly hurt by anybody, or a biker to be hurt," Mr. Matta said. "Yesterday we had thousands of people on the esplanade. We had a concert there. It was opening day.

"We felt that [the sign] was appropriate for the crowd control that we had last night."

Very soon, the language will be changed to urge cyclists to use caution, he said.

Earlier today, Mr. Ravenstahl took the side of the cyclists.

"Many folks in the bicycle community are upset, as well they should be, because that trail should be a point where people can continue to bike," said Mr. Ravenstahl. "I would say that we share the frustration of the cyclist community with that issue. It was our understanding that that would be an area where cyclists could continue to bike.

"We're going to work with the casino to try to get that rectified."

Howard Slomer, a 66-year-old retired computer analyst from Reserve, who bikes area trails several times a week, said he was dismayed on Sunday to see signs requiring that cyclists walk their bikes past the casino.

"I cannot easily walk that distance in bike shoes and I also have a bad knee that makes it difficult to walk and push my bike that distance," he said. He said that when he ignored the signs, a security guard told him to dismount, but he biked on.

Rivers Casino spokesman Dan Fee said the wording on the sign was always viewed as temporary. "It would have helped if the biking community called us to see what the facts were before they started alerting the media," he said.

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

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09222/989915-100.stm


Dan Fee quickly changes his tune after Luke & media question him on it. Until this afternoon the official line was "It's private property, we can do what we want." I called the casino personally and complained, they never mentioned the sign being temporary. Infact, read the article posted here before it was updated to see Fee do a complete switch from no-one-else-matters mentality to the-casino-is-the-victim mentality.

[chucka]

I thought P.J. Dick Corporation was going to relocate into a new building at the South Side Works? Now they are considering the North Shore.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/business/s_637669.html

Construction giant P.J. Dick eyes North Shore
By Sam Spatter, FOR THE TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Construction giant P.J. Dick Inc. is considering relocating its headquarters from West Mifflin, with one possible site the Equitable Resources building on the North Shore.

The move would mean more than 100 personnel from Dick and its Trumbull Corp. unit occupying space left vacant by the move of the natural gas service company's headquarters into 257,000 square feet in the former Dominion Tower — to be known as EQT Plaza — at 625 Liberty Ave., Downtown.

EQT Corp. spokesman Kevin West confirmed P.J. Dick has looked at the North Shore building. EQT, formerly Equitable Resources Inc., is the parent of Equitable Gas and other subsidiaries.

The company's move Downtown should be completed by Aug. 28, West said. Initially, several hundred employees will be relocated, but the company anticipates up to 700 — many of them new hires — will locate there.

Equitable Gas, with about 175 employees, will remain on the North Shore. EQT's expanding gas production, transportation and shared services business units will be moved Downtown.

A P.J. Dick spokesman said the company is "considering all options, including remaining at its current West Mifflin headquarters, although the company is experiencing internal growth that requires additional space." Dick's Lindy Paving Inc. unit would remain in New Castle.

If the move takes place, no decision has been made on Dick's headquarters building at 1020 Lebanon Road, which it owns, the spokesman said.

George (Duke) Kingsley III, executive vice president, Grubb & Ellis/Pittsburgh, who is handling the search for Dick, declined to comment.

The North Shore building, which opened in 2005, is owned by Continental Real Estate Co. of Columbus, Ohio. It has 180,000 square feet of space and cost $35 million to build.


Previous Article:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07290/825977-53.stm

City approves Dick Corp. move to South Side Works
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
By Mark Belko, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The city planning commission cleared the decks yesterday for the move of the Dick Corp. headquarters to the South Side.

Members unanimously approved plans for the construction of a five-story office building at Sidney and Hot Metal streets in the SouthSide Works complex to house the company, now based in Jefferson Hills.

"I think it's great that the Dick Corp. is moving into the city," commission member Todd Reidbord said.

Dick will occupy at least a floor of the 152,700 square-foot office building, architect Rob Pfaffmann said.

Others will be recruited for the rest of the space. The $14.5 million project, being built on Urban Redevelopment Authority land, has attracted interest from other potential tenants, but no firm commitments so far, Mr. Pfaffmann said.

There also will be some street-level space set aside for retail. Candidates may
include a cafe or coffee shop given that the building is located only a block or so from the South Side riverfront trail.

Construction is expected to start in December or January and take about a year. A 288-space parking lot on the south side of Sidney Street will be built with the project.

Bike racks also will be available at both entrances to the glass and brick building. The developer also is hoping to seek an environmentally friendly LEED certification for the structure but is still awaiting final budget projections to determine if that is feasible.

Dick will move about 100 employees to the South Side. The firm may add more as it expands.

The corporation had considered relocating its headquarters to The Waterfront
complex in Homestead earlier in the decade and had worked on a building there for a year before deciding against the move in late 2002 because of cost concerns.

[chucka]

I don't think anyone posted this PG article from May.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09145/972564-53.stm

Plans unveiled for 'Remembrance Park' at Soldiers & Sailors
Monday, May 25, 2009
By Torsten Ove, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum today unveiled plans for a new park on the front lawn designed to attract more visitors and enhance the hall's mission of honoring veterans while also paying homage to its original architect.

"Remembrance Park," designed for free by a team of local engineers and architects, will feature a memorial lawn near the street, a garden for a new statue in tribute to the war on terror and a courtyard near the building.

The idea is to eliminate the static feel of the existing expanse of lawn and replace it with a more dynamic space that draws people in from the moment they arrive.

The Oakland museum will present conceptual drawings of the project, spearheaded by Powerhouse Design Architects and Engineers in Station Square, at its Memorial Day ceremonies today.

"It's what we were looking for," said John McCabe, head of the museum. "We had worked with this organization for a couple of months, and they understood what we wanted. It was just a nice relationship."

The hall plans to mount a capital campaign to raise money for construction. Estimates are preliminary, but the finished product could run as high as $4 million.

The project could be complicated by the fact that the lawn is actually the roof of an underground parking garage, but Mr. McCabe said he sees that as an opportunity to install the city's next "green roof." Rooftop gardens have been sprouting up across the city; this one will be on a mammoth scale.

Mr. McCabe said the hall, which celebrates the 100th anniversary of its 1910
dedication next year, was looking for a project to symbolize a "rebirth" for that occasion.

So the board reached out to Powerhouse founder Michael Cherock, 37, a former Navy submariner whose hand was partially paralyzed in an accident aboard the USS Columbia in 1995. Much of his work is for the federal government, which, under a program initiated by President George W. Bush, is required to award contracts to a certain percentage of firms run by disabled veterans.

He agreed to do the design pro bono and assembled a team that includes Jonathan Kline and his wife, Christine Brill, owners of Studio for Spatial Practice, and Bernie Lamm of Lamm Engineering.

Mr. Cherock said the team envisioned a park that would be inviting rather than intimidating; flexible to accommodate new ideas and future needs; and accessible to disabled and aging veterans, something the long walkway and staircase leading to the hall now is not.

"The question was, How do we pull the mission of the hall out onto the lawn and create a narrative?" said Mr. Cherock. "We wanted to develop a narrative starting at street level."

The memorial lawn, which Mr. Cherock said could function as an amphitheater for events, is circled by a path that would feature plaques or installations honoring each branch of the military.

Behind the lawn is a garden of low hedges in a symmetrical pattern of flourishes that the team said reflects the style of architect Henry Hornbostel, who designed the building in 1907.

The garden is where monuments and statues will be displayed. The main one,
designed by Michael Kraus, honors veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The garden will also feature the 7,000-pound bow ornament of the USS Pittsburgh. The ship, originally the USS Pennsylvania, was part of the Great White Fleet sent around the world by President Theodore Roosevelt from 1907 through 1909.

The bronze scrollwork ornament, forged in Homestead, has a connection to the hall in that Mr. Hornbostel also designed it.

Meanwhile, existing statues of a sailor and a soldier, now dwarfed by the building at its imposing entrance, will be moved to the front of the park near the street.

"To do the project really well is a serious undertaking," said Mr. Kline, who drew the design. "It's a very interesting, compelling project in a very public, urban space."

All it needs now is money.

Torsten Ove can be reached at tove@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1510


Current landscape:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/images/200905/20090525ho_ss_existinglawn_500.jpg

Proposed Park:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/images/200905/20090525ho_ss_remembrancepark_500.jpg

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/images/200905/20090525ho_ss_honorgarden_500.jpg

[hyperion1110]

Nice find, Chucka. I didn't see or hear anything about that project. But it looks stunning, and will definitely liven up that corner quite a bit. Now, if only UPMC would do something about that giant parking lot across the street...

Here is a PDF of the proposed Remembrance Park: http://www.soldiersandsailorshall.org/doc/Memorial%20Day%20Concept%20Presentation.pdf

[AaronPGH]

I am also one of the cyclists that left an angry message with casino management. That Dan Fee guy is a fucking jackass! I can't believe the attitude he showed with his first quote, and I personally referenced him in my message.

Nice to see the full weight of the PGH bike community being thrown around and actually getting results. ::beats chest::

[Evergrey]

I especially like the ghostly phantasms in this rendering
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/images/200905/20090525ho_ss_honorgarden_500.jpg

[PA Pride]

Cool renderings Chucka. I had no idea!

By the way, I like your avatar of the new casino parking garage. :tup:

[chucka]

Actually, my avatar is the Alcoa Corporate Center, viewed from the riverfront trial.

[PA Pride]

Actually, my avatar is the Alcoa Corporate Center, viewed from the riverfront trial.

Ooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. And here I thought you were just a big fan of the casino parking garage.

[deja vu]

I think I prefer the parking garage to its casino.

Thanks to cdc and the tip about the temporary occupancy permit in the Gates Center, I was able to take a peek around the inside tonight and was impressed with what I saw - there's still a lot of work going on- I would say it's only 93-95% complete :) The Guggenheim-esque atrium connects to multiple levels via ramps and walkways (and provides a way to reorient yourself when you get lost inside the building, which I did). There were many areas of the building that I still couldn't get access to, primarily because doors were locked and there were still workers there at 10:00pm when I went, and they weren't too keen on some punk kid walking around taking snapshots.

Anyway, here's a taste of the inside...


This is right when you walk in on the third floor entrance between Newell-Simon and Smith.
http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/scencer/Gates%20Center/gates%20center/gates%20center%20003.jpg

To the right is the Guggenheim inspired atrium, which features a "floating classroom" suspended several levels up.
http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/scencer/Gates%20Center/gates%20center/gates%20center%20006.jpg

http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/scencer/Gates%20Center/gates%20center/gates%20center%20007.jpg

http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/scencer/Gates%20Center/gates%20center/gates%20center%20008.jpg

http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/scencer/Gates%20Center/gates%20center/gates%20center%20009.jpg

http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/scencer/Gates%20Center/gates%20center/gates%20center%20011.jpg

http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/scencer/Gates%20Center/gates%20center/gates%20center%20014.jpg

http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/scencer/Gates%20Center/gates%20center/gates%20center%20017.jpg

on the ramp...
http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/scencer/Gates%20Center/gates%20center/gates%20center%20020.jpg

http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/scencer/Gates%20Center/gates%20center/gates%20center%20037.jpg


http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/scencer/Gates%20Center/gates%20center/gates%20center%20041.jpg

your typical office...with huge windows and plenty of natural light.
http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/scencer/gates%20center%20029.jpg

your typical meeting room...
http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/scencer/gates%20center%20030.jpg

View from inside the floating classroom (this pic doesn't really do it justice though)
http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/scencer/gates%20center%20035.jpg

looking down from what I think was the fifth level, out of 9 altogether.
http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/scencer/gates%20center%20038.jpg



loving this building - a great addition to CMU and to Pittsburgh!

[Evergrey]

wow.... great interior shots of the Gates Centre, deja vu! I wish Pitt could build something so innovative and forward-thinking...

[deja vu]

Thanks! I added a few more pictures to the previous post just now. This building/complex definitely has a well-though-out architectural intent, and if nothing else, it gets a thumbs-up from me simply for not featuring a single beige brick nor a piece of green copper cladding or trim.

[PA Pride]

Great pics. Wish I were smart enough to get into CMU.

[cdc]

Thanks! I added a few more pictures to the previous post just now. This building/complex definitely has a well-though-out architectural intent, and if nothing else, it gets a thumbs-up from me simply for not featuring a single beige brick nor a piece of green copper cladding or trim.

Thanks for the pictures! I went over to CMU/Gates yesterday too to
check it out, but I didn't have a camera. I was surprised at how much
work was still on going and how much tools and stuff were lying
around. How did CMU get a temporary occumpancy permit?

The building feels big, but it only has 2 passenger elevators. I'm
wondering how that is going to work out. I was going to take the
elevator up to the 9th floor, but gave up waiting and took the stairs
to the 9th. Deja vu: you should go to the 9th floor during daylight
and check out the "reading room" view that looks back up campus over
the Pausch bridge towards MMH and the UC. Also, you can get a good
look at some of the green roof stuff going on from the 9th floor.

I found the ramps in the atrium (I think they are calling this the
"helix"?) and some of the halls and stairs kind of narrow. I'm
wondering how this is going to work out when the students occupy the
building. I didn't get over to Hillman or down to the lower levels of
Gates, so I'm not sure what is going on over there.

I was looking at the connection from the Pausch bridge (Gates level 5)
to the ground outside Newell Simon (Gates level 3). Looks like you've
either got to go around all the loop ramps of the helix to walk from
one to the other (which I think will get tedious) or you take that
stairs (stairs number 4?) by the Pausch bridge entrance.

Anyway, it is a cool building, and now that it is open it is
definitely worth checking out.

[deja vu]

I was surprised by the elevator situation too. Wean hall, right next door, has 8 floors (excluding the mechanical penthouse) with 3 elevators, and during peak hours I've waited several minutes for an elevator. It's been even more interesting this summer with only the one elevator operational - I usually go for the freight elevator.

The helix did seem a bit narrow to me as well, and unless you have roller-blades or a bike and work on the upper floors, I don't know how much use it will get from top to bottom, but I am glad that it provides connections for multiple paths of circulation - it seems pretty well-integrated to the rest of the building. I've still yet to check out Hillman and the lower levels of Gates.

I'm excited to see the green roofs when they're complete - I think it will make that area of campus much more "habitable" and lighten the industrial feel that Wean Hall, FMS, and the Cloud Factory power plant give.

[cdc]

More Gates photos from yesterday from a friend who works at CMU:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/34301961@N04/sets/72157621897046291/

enjoy...

[Black-n-Gold]

...and if nothing else, it gets a thumbs-up from me simply for not featuring a single beige brick nor a piece of green copper cladding or trim.

Well if that's your standard, there's this great new building on the North Shore you should check out...

Do you think everyone said something similar back when Litchfield Towers or Posvar Hall were new?

[pj3000]

I especially like the ghostly phantasms in this rendering
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/images/200905/20090525ho_ss_honorgarden_500.jpg


Ghostly phantasms! Ahhh, I got a good chuckle out of that one.

I thought the same thing. Was it too much for the artist to draw suggestions of faces and clothing or are they supposed to represent the numerous spirits of foreign wars out enjoying their new digs?

[deja vu]

Well if that's your standard, there's this great new building on the North Shore you should check out...

Do you think everyone said something similar back when Litchfield Towers or Posvar Hall were new?

I'm not opposed to the striking similarity that many of the CMU buildings share. Even newer buildings, like the University Center and Purnell Center, which clearly reference the older style of the buildings around them, are effective designs and well-utilized buildings. The identity of the campus is in large part shaped by this architectural continuity.

But it is refreshing to see that CMU can build something that references site, landscape, and surrounding program, instead of just the facades of other buildings, and have it still feel like a part of the campus and not just an alienating form.

I don't know if the same holds true for Pitt. I've been inside Posvar Hall once or twice, and have only walked past Litchfield towers, but I feel like Pitt has a much greater variety of buildings to begin with. The Gates Center really stands out as a radical building when taken in context with what came before it on this campus, but it isn't radical just to be so. The last thing CMU should be doing is building more Hornbostel-inspired buildings. Such buildings may function and serve a purpose, but they will always seem fake to me for mimicking their surroundings.

[Evergrey]

Posvar Hall is the worst building ever built in the history of the world.

[PGHFan]

The Gates buidling looks like brutalism with dimpled metal on it. At least if there is a hail storn no one will know.

[AaronPGH]

Did anyone catch the G-20 signage designs that were released today by Onorato? They are TERRIBLE. What were they thinking?! They used every design cliche, bad font and piece of terrible clip art they could. Why was this not outsourced to a competent local design firm. We have a lot of design talent in this city that would have sprung at the chance to do these for free! These things are so bad they they look like a spoof of the city! I already emailed the PGH G-20 committee about my thoughts on these.

http://post-gazette.com/pg/09225/990569-482.stm

http://post-gazette.com/pg/images/200908/20090813lf_g20_loc_500.jpg

Look at that orange sign in the upper right corner. They laid in BINARY CODE across the bottom. WTF!!! This does NOT help our argument that we are a world-class city at all.

[Evergrey]

"We feel your envy."???? lol how lame... and is that a cell phone i see on the orange sign???

I'd rather have the world leaders gazing at our buildings, streetscapes and lush green hills than a bunch of crappy signs with cornball slogans... but at least the signs come with a customizable area for additional messaging

Personally... I've been rather alarmed at the way our local politicians have been hyperventilating about the G-20...

Though... I do think there's some legitimate hyperventilating concerning the federal government's refusal to cover the costs of security for this event... WTF!!!!!!!!!!

[Evergrey]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09225/990700-100.stm

Investor gets loan to buy back Penn Brewery

Thursday, August 13, 2009
By Rich Lord, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The city of Pittsburgh's development arm plans to get back in the business of backing beer, after the Urban Redevelopment Authority board voted today to lend $300,000 to an investor looking to buy Penn Brewing Co. and return its brewing and bottling operations to the base of Troy Hill.

That investor, Tom Pastorius, was the founder of the brewery and restaurant, but sold it to Birchmere Capital in 2003 and saw the manufacturing outsourced to Wilkes-Barre. He said after the URA vote that the loan will allow him to purchase the business -- as soon as issues regarding the ownership of the building are worked out.

His purchase is contingent upon the nonprofit North Side Leadership Conference buying the building -- which still contains the Penn Brewery restaurant and offices -- from its current owners, E & O Partners. The conference and the partnership were close to a sale until the latter demanded more cash -- in addition to tax credits and the assumption of debt -- than the latter could afford.

Because the transfer of the building isn't final, URA board member Jim Ferlo, a state senator from Highland Park, voted against the loan. The other four board members voted for it.

The decision comes just weeks after Iron City Brewing left the city for Latrobe, despite having received a loan from the URA and large-scale debt forgiveness from the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority.

"With Iron City's departure from the city," said URA Executive Director Rob Stephany, "Penn Brewery . . . could stand to really re-enter the marketplace in a strong way" as Pittsburgh's beer.

Mr. Pastorius said the URA's decision makes it possible for him to buy the business as soon as the building's ownership is settled.

"I love the business," said Mr. Pastorius. "I love the beer. It's my legacy. I don't want to leave it in shambles."

The URA board also approved a $50,000 loan to Brookline Beer, for which it had to waive guidelines that usually bar lending to beer distributors. Mr. Stephany said that loan is necessary to help a Brookline Boulevard anchor business to maintain inventory while refinancing debt.
More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09225/990700-100.stm#ixzz0O69JKaGU

[Minivan Werner]

"Customizable area for additional messaging"? How contrived. ;)

[PA Pride]

Posvar Hall is the worst building ever built in the history of the world.

What!?!? This beauty?

http://www.tour.pitt.edu/images/bigphotots/photo-tour-040-big.jpg

[Evergrey]

What!?!? This beauty?

http://www.tour.pitt.edu/images/bigphotots/photo-tour-040-big.jpg

it's infinitely more soul-crushing inside

[PA Pride]

Did anyone catch the G-20 signage designs that were released today by Onorato? They are TERRIBLE. What were they thinking?! They used every design cliche, bad font and piece of terrible clip art they could. Why was this not outsourced to a competent local design firm. We have a lot of design talent in this city that would have sprung at the chance to do these for free! These things are so bad they they look like a spoof of the city! I already emailed the PGH G-20 committee about my thoughts on these.

http://post-gazette.com/pg/09225/990569-482.stm

http://post-gazette.com/pg/images/200908/20090813lf_g20_loc_500.jpg

Look at that orange sign in the upper right corner. They laid in BINARY CODE across the bottom. WTF!!! This does NOT help our argument that we are a world-class city at all.


It's still better than their first version:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/austindaniel/Pittsburg-1.jpg

[deja vu]

^:haha:

[cdc]

It's still better than their first version:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/austindaniel/Pittsburg-1.jpg

Wow, an ADM-3a terminal in the top left of that picture. A classic.
Haven't used one of those since 1985. Its Yinzer Geek!

[bruchaus]

Vacant Downtown storefronts dressed up for summit
Thursday, August 13, 2009
By Jon Schmitz, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership today will begin installing the first of more than 30 graphic "makeovers" to vacant Downtown storefronts to improve their appearance for the G-20 economic summit.

The first storefronts to be treated are at 925 and 927 Penn Ave., a short distance from the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, where the Sept. 24-25 summit will be centered.

The partnership said seven images have been developed to depict the strengths of Pittsburgh and will remain in place after the summit.


Let's hope those shitty signs aren't going to be what they put in those shitty storefronts.

[Evergrey]

I'm all for cleaning up streets and making everything sparkle... but I'm not a fan of this idea to cover up vacant storefronts with signs and/or artwork... I think it reeks of desperation and actually draws more attention to vacant storefronts... nobody is going to care if a storefront is vacant... it happens in every city... and is an especially common sight during the Great Recession...

[AaronPGH]

^ I'm not either. Another argument that is really bugging me is when I hear talk about the city trying to cover up construction, such as the Hilton. Isn't all this construction going on a sign of our PROGRESS? Show that dirt, scaffolding, steel, building activity with pride! Don't try to cover it with tarps! :rolleyes:

[PittPanther]

It's okay everybody Dan Onorato got it covered. Seriously? Who designed those signs, I am 17 and made a more professional poster of Pittsburgh for a high school class.

[tooluther]

I did actually (http://www.downtownpittsburgh.com/whats-new/g-20-summit/vacant-storefront-activation):
Well not me, a design firm downtown. But it was my idea; and its an integral part of our developing retail strategy.

To Evergrey & Aaron's points: common guys, you know that's not how the media portrays a city. Rather than showing active businesses every news reporter always stands in front of the one vacant storefront on a block. The way we're activating the storefronts presents positive messages about downtown, delivers broker information in a clear and consistent way, advertises the PDP's website as a resource for shopping & dining and more importantly directs attention away from vacant storefronts and towards successful businesses.

The first one went up yesterday and to be blunt, I think it looks damn good.

To the rest of you, spare me the back seat driving this board has devolved into.

[AaronPGH]

It's not just this board. The whole Pittsburgh advertising and design industry collectively barfed when those signs were released yesterday. I couldn't count the amount of facebook or twitter posts about how bad they are on both my hands.

The fact that nobody raised a red flag at all on those terrible, amateur designs is awful. You guys have the wrong people running the show, and that design team should be embarrassed.

I can possibly get behind the storefront idea if it's done correctly, but those signs are not the correct way.

[Evergrey]

To the rest of you, spare me the back seat driving this board has devolved into.

Don't take things personally... this forum is here for people to discuss Pittsburgh development issues freely... to offer opinions and to engage in debate.

I think we all appreciate your contributions to the discussions here, tooluther... and I'm sure you and the PDP have some metrics devised to evaluate the success or failure of this vacant storefront activation plan.

My issue with the storefront activation plan (and the apparently scuttled plan to put massive artwork/advertisement on Mt. Washington's Edge ruins) is that it's not "real"... it comes across to me as a misguided attempt to create artificial streetscapes cluttered with contrived messaging and branding. I believe I read this strategy is used in Detroit when they host big events like the Super Bowl. Downtown Pittsburgh's retail sector could certainly use significant improvement... but it's not plagued with vacancies like Detroit or Cleveland or many other cities. It's not an environment that comes across as one rife with empty storefronts. Empty storefronts will not be part of the media narrative concerning Pittsburgh's role in hosting the G-20. If any member of the media goes out of their way to stand in front of an empty storefront and depict Downtown Pittsburgh as a wasteland... they'll do the same in front of an activated vacant storefront... "Look how desperate Pittsburgh is to appear successful... they cover up all their vacancies with these messages".

To make an inelegant analogy... it's like the square who so desperately wants to fit in with the cool crowd... so he buys all the latest trendy clothing to fit in... and then gets laughed at all the more for his deperate attempts.

But maybe the activated storefronts will turn out great... you could assuage some fears by posting some photos of these storefronts...

[AaronPGH]

I was all about the storefronts when at one point they were talking about having artists take them over. The point where I became skeptical was when this talk began of putting those signs, and/or branded messages in them.