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Originally Posted by DKNewYork
The South Bouquet student housing has always seemed clumsy and out of place so I was thrilled to see the plan to replace it, even though it is relatively new. And while the renderings of the replacement buildings are taller (and I realize that master plan renderings are just that), I would have hoped that Pitt would plan to build even taller. Nordenberg and Panther Halls are both more than ten stories. Perhaps the zoning laws don't allow taller on South Bouquet---if so, the university should appeal. The plan points out repeatedly that the school is limiting itself to property that it already owns. That seems a huge goodwill gesture to the Oakland community so Pitt's neighbors should return the favor.
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I'm guessing part of the reason why Boquet Gardens was built at low density was that Pitt was unable to get full site control, at the time. T
hey have since bought these two houses. They still don't own these two further down the block. I had no idea they had bought out the area across the street - looks like some of the transactions only cleared within the last few months.
The way that EMI zoning works is that the master plan effectively is the zoning document. Hence Pitt will set whatever height limits they want as part of this. They have yet to ask for their new acquisitions on the west side of Oakland Avenue to be added to EMI, but I'm sure that's coming, because in most cases the city seems to accept EMI expansion no questions asked. There are exceptions though. The bits which are zoned OPR (Oakland Public Realm) probably will not be swallowed into the EMI zone, because Pitt already owns property here which has kept that designation. Ditto the changes to the Frick Fine Arts building, as it's in an area technically zoned parkland. But in general, their new masterplan is the governing document.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DKNewYork
One more observation: It's great that the vacant space surrounding Hillman Library and Lawrence and Posvar Halls will be utilized. The good-sized triangular green space on South Bouquet will be fully filled-in with construction. And Posvar Hall's facades on both Bouquet and Clemente will be "veneered" with space---hopefully with some street retail---to better adhere to the street wall as well as soften the concrete expanse of Posvar. Assuming that this construction has ample glass and minimal concrete, it should help considerably.
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It's a bit surprising they're not talking about replacing the Katz building as well. It's a dated and sits very akwardly on its parcel for an urban campus. The front entrance being on Roberto Clemente Drive never made any sense.
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