Oddly enough, Homewood isn't really too bad, mainly because it's essentially been nearly completely depopulated. A place can only be so scary with so few residents, you know? :) I remember well being toured around town with Herodotus and specifically asking him to take us through Homewood, just so I could see what the fuss was about. Honestly, while it has obviously seen far, far better days, its not so much scary as it is simply depressing in terms of being so dilapidated.

On a brighter note, so nice to read that the renovation/residential conversion for the midrise in East Liberty is about to begin. Should really make a huge impact on the Penn Circle area, no question about it!

Just as an aside, for anyone who's wondering about the former Goodwill regional headquarters building on Carson St. at 26th St., the renovation and residential conversion is definitely still continuing, albeit seemingly quite slowly. My guess is that there was a LOT of environmental remediation to be done, probably a ton of asbestos and lead paint, and I'm sure that slowed things down a lot. Should be awesome when it's finally finished, though!

Aaron (Glowrock)

Here's Chevron's office bldg now in Moon Twp in the old offices of Atlas Pipeline. Took these pics a couple hours ago.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...l/P1000930.jpg

Across the street is Nova Chemicals

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...l/P1000927.jpg

A couple other office buildings nearby

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...l/P1000931.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...l/P1000934.jpg

CMU has released their updated master-plan for 2012. I have to say, it is incredible.

http://www.cmu.edu/cdfd/documents/2012-imp.pdf

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/...icized-630001/

Article in today's Post Gazette about the Market Square hotel and Office.

I find it funny that people criticize this building but no one seems to have a problem with two story buildings being build on the North Shore. Sigh...

^ Well, the people on this forum certainly do.

I don't think that the design of this project looks very good from the renderings, but I really don't think that an 18-story building will cause too much detriment to Market Square at all -- and it definitely will not block sunlight as was suggested, considering that this proposed building is east of the square.

I have longstanding concerns about CMU expanding its campus footprint. Holding that aside, however, you can't fault them for lack of ambition. The various big projects along Forbes would have the most obvious impact, but I also appreciate all the various "infill" projects they have planned.

I agree those objections don't seem well-founded.

Generally I like the design, but I do think the design of the above-ground parking portion is well worth discussing. From the renderings I think it could be better, and I agree it could be a particular issue from the Wood side (not shown in the renderings).

I think there's a lot of whining going on, quite frankly. Do something architecturally to at least try to subdue the impact of a tall parking garage, but overall I definitely still think this is a really good project, and one that will help, not hinder, Market Square's vitality.

Aaron (Glowrock)

Agreed. In fact, it seems obvious to me that a less expensive (than the Fairmont) hotel overlooking Market Square is a great addition for the Square (and the new office space won't hurt either).

What could possibly be concerning?:shrug:

I definitely understand the concerns about an 11 (?!) story parking structure being included in The Gardens and hope that is amended in some way- however, the suggestion that it will block sunlight or be "disrespectful" to the square is really ridiculous.

Bishoff is just complaining because the office tower will block the rear windows of the Investment Building (which he owns). Besides he is one of the biggest office slum lords around and his ownership is more detrimental to the city than anything that Millcraft is proposing.

The most commonly raised issue is taxes. Personally, I am most concerned about how campuses tend to become dead spots in the urban fabric--non-members of the university community are excluded from most on-campus activity, and members of the university community are encouraged to stay on-campus for non-core activities (eating, sleeping, playing, etc.).

Of course that doesn't mean growing urban universities are a bad thing overall. But I think their benefit for the host city is maximized to the extent they are encouraged to build up and not out, and to the extent their facilities are interwoven with unaffiliated entities rather than occupying their own separate campuses.

That was my conjecture.

We are all criticizing it on SSP... Cause we want it taller, since we are skyscraper nerds. Everyone else prolly wants it shorter or smaller...

But yeah, it utilizes a set back for the upper portion, plus it's behind the first row of market square buildings. It will be perfect for adding density without hurting the square. Although it's not the sexiest building ever designed it should be GREAT for adding vibrancy to downtown.

Parking garages add vibrancy? :shrug:

I'm going to guess he was mostly referring to the other 70% of the building.

That said, Market Square probably could benefit from some close, cheap evening structured parking.

Dude, you've been obsessed with the parking garage portion of this development since it was announced. Think of the other 70% of the building, do it for the children!

Every time you harp on the size of the parking garage, a kitten dies. Please, Evergrey, think of the kittens! :haha:

Aaron (Glowrock)

PS: On a different note, when the hell is the last time there's been a Pittsburgh forumer meet? I know there hasn't been any mention of one since I moved here, and that's almost a year ago already!

The Investment Building? To be honest, I'm really not all that impressed with it. The Benedum Trees apartment building I think is more impressive looking. I'll give it that it has an interesting base, but other than that, blah...

The fact that it will contain 11 levels of above-ground parking is something I have an issue with; it's the only thing I have an issue with, and I'd rather they allow for more office space than parking. However, I have seen multi-level parking garages that provide ground level retail and even look like a regular multi-level high-rise tower; as if it contained regular level floors of leasable space instead of parking...

Maybe if they incorporate that into their design it won't seem so bad...

How is a hotel, office space and ground level retail not going to add people to that street?