PITTSBURGH | Development Rundown II

[Jonboy1983]

You know, this is something else that can hinder problem solving measures when trying to solve our connectivity issues, or any issue prett much -- constant bickering about who is saying what.

I'm not blaming anyone here; just making an observation. If anyone should be on the receiving side of bickering, it should be the Port Authority since they're one step closer to making this problem even bigger...

My solution to this whole thing (depending on if Port Authority can get bailed out), should be to have transit planning professionals collaborate (yeah, I know) and discuss how to integrate the bus and LRT systems with each other better to maintain its existing level of service and how to improve it in the future (expand it to serve other neighborhoods, attract new riders, etc). Also, it looks like PA get's almost all of its funding in the form of an "allowance" from the state. IMO, this detriment should have been rectified a long time ago. Why not adopt some of the measures by other transit agencies? WMATA uses adjusted land values to generate more revenue to be used ENTIRELY for transit-related purposes (more equipment, upgrades, expansion, etc)

Evergrey, I also hope that will be the case; having large numbers of non'SWPA-ers moving in to break down this mindset that we are all not well connected...

[Private Dick]

Originally Posted by glowrock

I agree with this notion completely, Private Dick. One of the biggest issues is that Pittsburgh is fractured, not just geographically but also culturally. It really does make it difficult to convince enough people that such niceties as legitimate transit connections between and amongst the various neighborhoods is really necessary. Don't get me wrong, I'm definitely not one who abides by that sort of backwards-logic, but I also realize that it does make things extremely difficult, both from an engineering (solvable, thankfully) and political (not as easy to solve!) perspective.

I've only lived here for a year (in fact, today is my one-year anniversary of living here! ), and I've witnessed the fracturing myself numerous times. People tend to stick to their own neighborhoods, regarding the major highways and especially the bridges and tunnels almost as if I might view a national border. There is an extremely provincial attitude that prevails amongst the long-time residents here that does make it difficult to get many projects going forward, especially those involving connecting various neighborhoods. Hopefully, with the influx of new residents (especially those NOT from SW PA), this will change over time. I don't expect any revolutionary changes for quite a number of years, however...

Aaron (Glowrock)

For sure.

It's much easier for "outsiders" to recognize the attitudes and ignorance about their own city which a large portion of greater Pittsburgh's population displays. It's an interesting psychology that exists here (and something that is common in Appalachia in general) more than in other urban metro areas.

Things will change over time with influx of new people and transit connections, but I'm pretty sure aspects will always remain... simply because of the isolation of neighborhoods/municipalities due to the natural and subsequent psychological barriers. We've obviously seen massive immigration to the Pittsburgh region by outsiders before who congregated for jobs and ethnic/cultural reasons in the isolated clusters we know today... thus forming the good and bad of Pittsburgh as we know it. I guess what I'm trying to get at is that the physical structure of a place obviously dictates what can be built where... but also not so obviously dictates the collective psychology of a city...and because of that, we are always going to have less connectivity in Pittsburgh -- which is really what makes Pittsburgh so unique and interesting (especially to non-SWPAers who actually explore the city and its environs extensively!).

Oh, and congrats on the one year anniversary of living in Pittsburgh. Pretty cool!

[Private Dick]

Originally Posted by PghSH22

Aaron was suggesting that I was trying to suggest that Pittsburgh should be equally measured against Rome Seoul and manhattan, which I wasn't and have now stated three times. Also stated multiple times was the fact that I wasn't necessarily commenting on only walkability, but more so connectivity. My point was that since Pittsburgh as a whole is naturally very unwalkable, it therefore would greatly benefit better transportation to increase accessibility throughout. I was directly responding to a comment that said Pittsburgh is "incredibly walkable", which I strongly disagree with. If a city is not walkable do to natural or boundaries then it is very reasonable to suggest that public transportation can and should help the situation. I do not not see how that is unnecessarily bundling walkability and transit issues, as they both determine how a population moves throughout a city and can affect one another. I think the lesson here is to actually read what someone posts before mischaracterizing it with defensive comments that aren't relevant to the original argument.

I knew what you meant. I think that Pittsburgh is incredibly walkable on one hand and rather unwalkable on the other -- all depends on where you are and where you are trying to go. Connecting the very walkable sections of the city together via efficient transit through the unwalkable parts (due to topography, poor planning, and a combination of the two) makes the city as a whole walkable.

Originally Posted by Evergrey

As a non-SWPAer, I have always used the entire region as my playground... unencumbered by perceived psycho-geographical barriers.

Right on. An attitude lost on many native SWPAers. In fact now that I think about it, all the guys and girls I know who really explore the city and region for dining, drinking, shopping, recreation... basically living... all grew up somewhere else. Meanwhile, friends and family members from the Pittsburgh area seem to rarely step foot outside of the general area where they live. Weird. Someone should do a study on this phenomenon or make a comedy movie about it...

Guess it's those "psycho-geographical barriers". I like that term

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by Jonboy1983

If anyone should be on the receiving side of bickering, it should be the Port Authority since they're one step closer to making this problem even bigger...

Not to set off a massive debate, but I'd focus your attention on the state, and specifically Governor Corbett, since PAT's current funding crisis is the direct result of state funding cuts, which were themselves triggered by the I-80 toll plan falling through, and Corbett is currently blocking a solution to that broader funding crisis.

My solution to this whole thing (depending on if Port Authority can get bailed out), should be to have transit planning professionals collaborate (yeah, I know) and discuss how to integrate the bus and LRT systems with each other better to maintain its existing level of service and how to improve it in the future (expand it to serve other neighborhoods, attract new riders, etc).

So the Transit Development Plan process was pretty much this. PAT hired professional consultants (Nelson/Nygaard) to examine the entire system and work out a plan for redesigning the system to make it more efficient and provide more service where it was needed, and also to formulate proposals for upgrading the system (which ended up including a smartcard-style fare system, a proposed BRT (aka "Rapid Bus") network, and so forth). PAT is partially through implementing the TDP, and I would suggest that if the state funding crisis can be resolved, that should be the top priority for PAT (getting the TDP more or less completed).

Also, it looks like PA get's almost all of its funding in the form of an "allowance" from the state. IMO, this detriment should have been rectified a long time ago. Why not adopt some of the measures by other transit agencies? WMATA uses adjusted land values to generate more revenue to be used ENTIRELY for transit-related purposes (more equipment, upgrades, expansion, etc)

PAT also gets funding from the County, in a set ratio to the state funding.

In any event, all that is a matter of state law. To summarize a complex topic, the state funds a massive network of mostly rural roads and bridges, and to fund that system it takes a lot more in taxes out of the large urban counties than it returns to them in state road funds. To make that situation politically sustainable, the state then also returns some money to the large urban counties in the form of transit funding (note this only partially offsets the funding transfer to rural parts of the state, a net result which indicates how state politics has traditionally functioned).

It would be fine with me if we wanted to shift to a system in which more of PAT's funding was determined locally. But you couldn't just let the state off the hook for its transit funding commitments without further state-level reform, because again that state transit funding is how the urban counties don't get totally screwed (just partially screwed) by the state's rural road funding mechanisms.

Rationalizing this system is going to require a lot of changes to state law. I am hopeful that fundamental conditions are shifting in the direction of making such reforms politically feasible, but it is going to take a while yet, and the 2010 elections set things back quite a bit (for how long remains to be seen).

[Jonboy1983]

You know, you're right. The state IS making it rather difficult for our urban areas to fund their own transit systems. What I was actually getting at was the mismanagement Port Authority has displayed over the years regarding its own network and personnel.

I do agree that there needs to be some drastic changes to state law in terms of better funding for public transit. greater Pittsburgh really needs to be better connected with the regional commercial hub that is Downtown (commercial, financial) and Oakland (educational, technological, healthcare, some commercial). And thanks to the state, Pittsburgh is going to lose even more connections...

[pj3000]

Hey, long time no post. I'm back in the USA for a short time and it's really nice to see all of these projects under construction or planned in Pittsburgh. I rarely get a chance to check out the site anymore, as all my time online is spent with research down here.

The proposed office tower on Ft. Pitt Blvd along with the new PNC HQ tower are going to have a dramatic change on the skyline. Also, really cool to see East Liberty continuing to revitalize with the Highland Building and that new proposal on the corner of Penn and Highland.

I assume this Austinlee is the artist formerly known as PA Pride?

[Jonboy1983]

Originally Posted by pj3000

Hey, long time no post. I'm back in the USA for a short time and it's really nice to see all of these projects under construction or planned in Pittsburgh. I rarely get a chance to check out the site anymore, as all my time online is spent with research down here.

The proposed office tower on Ft. Pitt Blvd along with the new PNC HQ tower are going to have a dramatic change on the skyline. Also, really cool to see East Liberty continuing to revitalize with the Highland Building and that new proposal on the corner of Penn and Highland.

I assume this Austinlee is the artist formerly known as PA Pride?

You are correct. I was starting to wonder what happened to ya.

[glowrock]

Originally Posted by Private Dick

For sure.

It's much easier for "outsiders" to recognize the attitudes and ignorance about their own city which a large portion of greater Pittsburgh's population displays. It's an interesting psychology that exists here (and something that is common in Appalachia in general) more than in other urban metro areas.

Things will change over time with influx of new people and transit connections, but I'm pretty sure aspects will always remain... simply because of the isolation of neighborhoods/municipalities due to the natural and subsequent psychological barriers. We've obviously seen massive immigration to the Pittsburgh region by outsiders before who congregated for jobs and ethnic/cultural reasons in the isolated clusters we know today... thus forming the good and bad of Pittsburgh as we know it. I guess what I'm trying to get at is that the physical structure of a place obviously dictates what can be built where... but also not so obviously dictates the collective psychology of a city...and because of that, we are always going to have less connectivity in Pittsburgh -- which is really what makes Pittsburgh so unique and interesting (especially to non-SWPAers who actually explore the city and its environs extensively!).

Oh, and congrats on the one year anniversary of living in Pittsburgh. Pretty cool!

Thanks, Private Dick! And yeah, it is kind of weird for me as the "outsider" discovering so many nooks and crannies of SWPA, meanwhile many of the people I know who have lived here for most, if not all of their lives have never really done the same. There is a definitive psychological barrier inherent amongst many of the old-timers here, and I'm not sure that anything will actually be able to change that. Only a continuation of new blood into the region will help to alleviate it, at least somewhat.

Aaron (Glowrock)

[Urbana]

The new Dark Knight Rises trailer has some cool shots of the city. Look at the end after he says, "this isn't a car," there is a cool shot of him flying over the US Steel Building with the city destroyed beneath him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5VDD...ure=b-cat-film

[GeneW]

Originally Posted by Urbana

The new Dark Knight Rises trailer has some cool shots of the city. Look at the end after he says, "this isn't a car," there is a cool shot of him flying over the US Steel Building with the city destroyed beneath him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5VDD...ure=b-cat-film

Here's a screenshot of that scene from io9's review of the trailer.

[Private Dick]

Originally Posted by glowrock

Thanks, Private Dick! And yeah, it is kind of weird for me as the "outsider" discovering so many nooks and crannies of SWPA, meanwhile many of the people I know who have lived here for most, if not all of their lives have never really done the same. There is a definitive psychological barrier inherent amongst many of the old-timers here, and I'm not sure that anything will actually be able to change that. Only a continuation of new blood into the region will help to alleviate it, at least somewhat.

Aaron (Glowrock)

Sure, glad you've stuck around in the 'Burgh for a year! Unfortunately (in some ways), I had to move to find a good job, but I might move back in a few years if Pittsburgh's economy matures enough to a point where a wide range of good jobs exist.

Right, I'm sure that influx of new blood into the region will help to finally knock Pittsburgh out of its economic and psychological malaise. Though I do think that Pittsburgh is the way it is for a very good reason and I'm not sure that will ever change completely. It's an interesting case to me. Even though I was not born in and didn't grow up in Pittsburgh, I still grew up in western PA and spent A LOT of time in Pittsburgh (in a way, a second hometown)... though I recognized differences in the way I viewed the city versus how natives viewed as an adolescent. I always realized what seemed to be an apparent lack of knowledge and interest in the neighborhoods of Pittsburgh by family and friends who were from Pittsburgh.

It was kind of weird to know more about what was going on in certain neighborhoods or how to even get there, than relatives and friends who had lived in the Pittsburgh area all their lives. And I understand that all cities have their provincialism, or at least have neighborhoods that people just rarely venture out of, but Pittsburgh just seems to be an extreme example of it.

I think it's a natural response to one's environment -- topographical barriers resulted in dense, isolated clusters of development that contained all the needs for habitation nearby. (And really, living in a compact dense area and still being able to take care of all of your needs for living is at the essence of the contemporary ideals of sustainability.) Now, all older cities had/have their neighborhoods that offered all you needed to live within a few block area... the difference with Pittsburgh is that those self-sufficient neighborhoods were/are separated by real barriers that not only blocked transit between them, but also actually blocked vision of other neighborhoods -- almost as if they didn't exist.

It's just a unique situation in Pittsburgh... and even though I love to explore Pittsburgh, I found myself spending more and more time in a singular neighborhood (or at least in a general area) the longer I lived there. I lived in Squirrel Hill for a total of around 6 years and I found myself spending more and more time in the near East End, and less and less time going to the Southside and Downtown, for instance... not to mention rarely going to any of the countless other city neighborhoods or suburbs -- there was just no reason to unless I was just out for a long bike ride or taking a "Pittsburgh shortcut" in the car. The East End neighborhoods still provide a lot of exposure to a lot of different stuff and people, but that's not the case in many of the neighborhoods and suburbs in Pittsburgh and that allows a very different mentality to take root.

Too much longwindedness, I know, sorry. Pittsburgh just fascinates me in many ways.

[Private Dick]

Bring more high-class ladies downtown? Sounds good to me.

Wood Street block advanced as 'fashion row'

May 2, 2012 12:52 am
By Mark Belko / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/...on-row-634009/

For six years, Trendy Trousseau, a New Castle-based women's clothing and accessories retailer, has done the bulk of its business over the Internet and by appointment.

Now owner Summer Wise is looking to branch "into the world of bricks and mortar." And that's what brought her to Downtown Monday evening to hear a pitch about opening a store as part of a new "fashion row" on Wood Street. "I'm interested to see what is offered here," she said.

Ms. Wise was one of an estimated 35 regional boutique owners or designers to attend a reception sponsored by the Pittsburgh Downtown Community Development Corp. and a task force created by the mayor to enhance retail in the city center.

Between drinks and hors d'oeuvres, the pitches came from retailers who have found success Downtown, including surprisingly strong Saturday sales, and from an official involved in a plan to potentially offer free parking on weekends and evenings in an effort to compete with suburban shopping complexes.

John Valentine, executive director of the Downtown CDC, said the goal was "to get boutiques that are not Downtown to consider Downtown."

The city hopes to create a women's fashion district, the brainchild of Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation president Arthur P. Ziegler Jr., along Wood Street between Fifth and Fourth avenues. The foundation is negotiating with the city Urban Redevelopment Authority to buy two buildings at 420 and 422 Wood.

[Private Dick]

What we've been talking about... transit/connectivity.

Attend and contribute if you're in town and able to go!

http://bike-pgh.org/blog/2012/05/01/...-ave-corridor/

MOVEPGH Community Workshop #2 is focused on transportation issues related to Downtown, Lower Hill, Uptown, South Side Flats, and Second Ave corridor (PGH Technology Center, ALMONO, and Hazelwood flats (Click here to view a map of the workshop focus geographies). The workshop is open to the public – even if you do not live in these areas. Join the MOVEPGH team for an open and interactive discussion about walkability, highways, transit, bicycling, and more. We need your input--drop in anytime during the times shown below and stay as long as you like!

WORKSHOP #2 SCHEDULE:
Workshop #2 Kick-off Event: Describing the week's activities & preliminary findings

WHEN: Monday, May 14 6:00-8:00PM

WHERE: IBEW Local #5 - South Side Flats

- 5 Hot Metal Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203

[Evergrey]

Originally Posted by pj3000

Hey, long time no post. I'm back in the USA for a short time and it's really nice to see all of these projects under construction or planned in Pittsburgh. I rarely get a chance to check out the site anymore, as all my time online is spent with research down here.

The proposed office tower on Ft. Pitt Blvd along with the new PNC HQ tower are going to have a dramatic change on the skyline. Also, really cool to see East Liberty continuing to revitalize with the Highland Building and that new proposal on the corner of Penn and Highland.

I assume this Austinlee is the artist formerly known as PA Pride?

Welcome back, pj3000. I look forward to your trenchant insight.

[daviderik]

http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set...5359908&type=1

Ribbon Cutting for South Shore Riverfront Park

Some Pics from facebook. It's really nice. And I guess time will tell if a lot of people are attracted to the river front in this area. I mean the North shore has many pedestrains even when there are no sports activities at the stadiums.

[daviderik]

http://www.popcitymedia.com/innovati...int050412.aspx

High Point Pittsburgh brings back the aerial views of downtown from the US Steel Tower.

I've heard many ideas for this space. Including the largest green space on top of a building in the world. (Which actually could be awesome). But I like this one too. It really would be an attraction to all in and out of towners.

[Jonboy1983]

It's good to know this thing is still on (as far as I know).

I have an idea of how to better connect Downtown with the Hill as well as part of the Firstside neighborhood. Overhaul Crosstown Boulevard and the Boulevard of the Allies. Remove the elevated portion of Crosstown allowing for numerous intersections with major streets such as Forbes and 5th Avenue. From 5th Avenue, Crosstown would then retain the original grade (below Centre Avenue and Bigelow Blvd/Bedford Avenue) as it heads toward the Veterans Bridge.

Regarding the Boulevard, I've considered removing the elevated portion from the Liberty Bridge to Grant Street. This would also involve a reconstruction of the Liberty Bridge, removing the two elevated on/off ramps to access the Boulevard. The Boulevard would be redone, lowering the road deck to the existing thru-lanes of the Crosstown Blvd. Motorists inbound on the Boulevard are forced to either enter the Liberty Bridge or Crosstown Boulevard anyway, and I believe there is more traffic that heads toward Oakland on the Boulevard rather than Downtown once exiting the Liberty Bridge. Those wishing to enter the Bridge from the Boulevard of the Allies from Downtown could do so by taking 4th or 5th Avenues to the Crosstown...

The current setup is very confusing, while I think this proposal would alleviate some of the confusion as well as some congestion. Plus, you'd have better connectivity between Downtown, the Hill, Firstside... Strike that about accessing Crosstown via Fourth Ave. You kinda can't do that considering the T is right there at grade with 4th.

[glowrock]

Honestly I can't really believe that evening and weekend parking for $5 as opposed to free is really keeping that many people away from downtown. Am I wrong to believe this?

I'm all in favor of more and more boutique-retail to be downtown, just as long as there's a reasonable place for groceries as well. There's plenty of availability for most other things, at least between Macy's and that enormous Burlington Coat Factory near it.

Aaron (Glowrock)

Originally Posted by Private Dick

Bring more high-class ladies downtown? Sounds good to me.

Wood Street block advanced as 'fashion row'

May 2, 2012 12:52 am
By Mark Belko / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/...on-row-634009/

For six years, Trendy Trousseau, a New Castle-based women's clothing and accessories retailer, has done the bulk of its business over the Internet and by appointment.

Now owner Summer Wise is looking to branch "into the world of bricks and mortar." And that's what brought her to Downtown Monday evening to hear a pitch about opening a store as part of a new "fashion row" on Wood Street. "I'm interested to see what is offered here," she said.

Ms. Wise was one of an estimated 35 regional boutique owners or designers to attend a reception sponsored by the Pittsburgh Downtown Community Development Corp. and a task force created by the mayor to enhance retail in the city center.

Between drinks and hors d'oeuvres, the pitches came from retailers who have found success Downtown, including surprisingly strong Saturday sales, and from an official involved in a plan to potentially offer free parking on weekends and evenings in an effort to compete with suburban shopping complexes.

John Valentine, executive director of the Downtown CDC, said the goal was "to get boutiques that are not Downtown to consider Downtown."

The city hopes to create a women's fashion district, the brainchild of Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation president Arthur P. Ziegler Jr., along Wood Street between Fifth and Fourth avenues. The foundation is negotiating with the city Urban Redevelopment Authority to buy two buildings at 420 and 422 Wood.

[glowrock]

Originally Posted by daviderik

http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.10150776745244909.422518.16755359908&type=1

Ribbon Cutting for South Shore Riverfront Park

Some Pics from facebook. It's really nice. And I guess time will tell if a lot of people are attracted to the river front in this area. I mean the North shore has many pedestrains even when there are no sports activities at the stadiums.

I absolutely love the park, and I think it's going to be an excellent amenity for not only Southside Works, but for the entire South Side in general! Not to mention, the addition by this time next year of a small marina and slips will certainly bring the potential of something like a water-taxi from SSW to Downtown!

Lastly, the new hotel currently under construction adjacent to Hofbrauhaus will also be a heck of a nice addition to the whole area.


Aaron (Glowrock)

[Urbana]

Originally Posted by daviderik

http://www.popcitymedia.com/innovati...int050412.aspx

High Point Pittsburgh brings back the aerial views of downtown from the US Steel Tower.

I've heard many ideas for this space. Including the largest green space on top of a building in the world. (Which actually could be awesome). But I like this one too. It really would be an attraction to all in and out of towners.

Hmm...They seem to have chanced the design. I have to say I like he old one better.