Originally Posted by PITairport (Post 5530658)

They should have put at least part of the parking underground, and included a hotel tower.

Originally Posted by Jonboy1983 (Post 5530735)

I also don't understand why they couldn't have put the parking underground. It's not like there was anything else blocking it -- the extension of the T will be elevated, if it's ever extended beyond Allegheny Station. If this is due to some rediculous zoning law, then zoning should be re-worked so that future development can actually make sense and actually contribute to the "future" of the Golden Triangle. The way such regulations are, the future for some parts is not exactly what I'd call "golden..."

Originally Posted by glowrock (Post 5530975)

While I'm not exactly a huge fan of the casino garage, do you REALLY think you could build that amount of parking underground without it costing a minimum of $100 million JUST for the parking facility? That garage is enormous, and justifiably so, for it's full or nearly full all weekend, along with a number of weeknight evenings. The place makes an absolute fortune for the State, and I thus have no real issues with it.

Originally Posted by Jonboy1983 (Post 5531011)

As others as well as myself have said, it should have been built underground.

There's another parking garage just down the street from that, right in between the ramps for the Ft. Duquesne Bridge. At least that one has street-level retail and T access built into it.

Originally Posted by PITairport (Post 5531040)

If it was required for the winning bidder to sink at least half the garage, I believe there still would have been bidders. Just MHO.

Originally Posted by TBone7281 (Post 5531065)

I'm not a civil engineer but I wonder what extra costs would need to be incurred to make something like that even feasible. What you're proposing is to make a multi sub-level parking garage... right on the Ohio River. Besides the fact that it would be mostly below the water line, what would have to be done to ensure that when the rivers flood, like they do a couple times a year, that it doesn't start filling up the garage? Not to mention the Pittsburgh Aquifer is there as well. I suppose it could be a zoning thing, but I would bet that when it came down to it, putting the garage underground was extremely cost prohibitive. As glowrock mentioned, it would first of all have to be immense, but additionally there are a lot of other things they'd probably have to worry about.

Originally Posted by themaguffin (Post 5531358)

To a degree, we may take cost too lightly.

However, the city and the parties involved took everything, but cost too lightly.

All of it is ugly and a wast of an incredible location.

I am not opposed to a casino, but there are different dynamics at play.

Additionally, a major flaw of all of the states that want a supposed cash cow of a casino is that (besides not giving a shit about appearance and impact on location etc) is that there is NO incentive for the owner to give a shit if he is the only game in town.

There should be at least 2 casinos. No I'm not suggesting much more than that, but there should be competition and also by having to in one designated area, it could look more like a district of sorts rather than a big ugly building.

How low is the incentive? Well, "Rivers casino" Why even include Rivers in the name? How fucking cheap and lazy on all fronts.

Originally Posted by glowrock (Post 5531307)

The problem with many people here on SSP is that they don't consider the COSTS of what they propose, for instance an insistance on underground parking next to a major river with an aquifer located not far below ground level with a capacity of 5,000+ vehicles... ;)

My guess would be a minimum of $100 million for that kind of underground parking capacity, perhaps even higher.

Aaron (Glowrock)

Originally Posted by pghusa (Post 5531659)

Also since I've thought about murals, is there any way to paint up that Soviet style architecture that slaps you in the face everytime you leave the Fort Pitt Tunnel, otherwise known as the Hilton/Subhb/Wyndham. I love the building but in a modern 21st century skyline it really just screams Cherynobal or Leningrad.

Originally Posted by Johnland (Post 5531920)

You seem to think that the city had to either build the most basic, sterile, bland concrete garage possible or not build at all. What I and other posters are saying is there should've been better (as in at least good) design for such a visibly prominent spot on the river shore. You know, use imagination, design, art, skill, savvy, finese, style...I mean something for crying out loud.

Originally Posted by TBone7281 (Post 5532018)

I was just down there yesterday and they are doing some welding and other construction to add something to the base of the building, I assume to make it more Wyndham-ish. Overall, it doesn't seem like it will do much to improve the overall look and feel of the building, but I guess we'll see when it's done. I'll post a pic or two when I have a minute.

Originally Posted by GeneW (Post 5533407)

If you're talking about the curved first floor addition to the right side of the entrance-way? That was started years ago but then has been stalled for a long time while the money issues from the previous owner were worked out. Have they finally re-started work on it?

Originally Posted by Gilamonster (Post 5533684)

Even before I read the last few posts, my intention for posting was to ask if anyone out there knew what was going on with the building next to Three PNC that used to house the infamous Powerball billboard. I see TBone7281 has taken a picture of this building a few posts prior. It looks like a restoration project with a new facade to be constructed. Score one for the preservationists. In my brief Google search, I haven't come across anything yet. Details anyone?

Originally Posted by PA Pride (Post 5527609)

Good question Steve. This was a very unsightly little triangle building that had the ugliest lottery billboard on it's roof at all times. I did a google search and oddly enough the only picture i could find of it was one that I took a couple years ago that shows the top of the billboard.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...g?t=1243998242


And here is an article about what they are doing there:

PNC proposes further development on Liberty

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/image...erties_411.gif



Wednesday, April 07, 2010
By Mark Belko, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

With its sparkling 23-story office tower on Fifth Avenue virtually complete, PNC Financial Services Group is turning its attention to a companion block of Downtown.

The financial giant is interested in redeveloping two publicly owned properties at 600 and 604 Liberty Ave., adjacent to its new Three PNC Plaza building, to "further enhance the neighborhood."

City Urban Redevelopment Authority board members are expected to consider a proposal Thursday to give PNC 90 days to come up with a redevelopment plan for the properties and negotiate a final purchase.

Both are located at the intersection of Liberty and Sixth Street adjacent to the entrance to the just-opened Fairmont Pittsburgh hotel in Three PNC Plaza and a small park PNC built as part of the development.

The buildings, separated by a privately owned structure that houses a convenience store, also sit across the street from Heinz Hall and can be seen by those coming into Downtown on Sixth.

A corner building, 600 Liberty, now houses Liberty Travel, while 604 Liberty is vacant.

URA executive director Rob Stephany said PNC wants to "renovate and reposition" the properties in an effort to make them more of a welcoming point.

"They don't have proposed tenants or reuses yet, but I think the notion is they're in the heart of that investment zone and they want to try to clean up things around them," he said.

He said that part of Liberty "has become a little dark corner of what otherwise is a really bright spot of Downtown."

Mr. Stephany said the "big ideas" that have been kicked around for the properties include the use of one as a welcoming center for visitors or maybe even as a police mini-station.

PNC also is toying with the idea of making the three-story building at 604 Liberty into very exclusive housing space that could be used by entertainers performing in the cultural district or perhaps even as an extension of the Fairmont, Mr. Stephany said.

The bank also is proposing to remove two billboards attached to 600 Liberty.

Fred Solomon, a PNC spokesman, declined to discuss specific reuses for the buildings until plans are approved by the URA. He would only say PNC expects to acquire them for a "business purpose and to further enhance the neighborhood."

Mike Edwards, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership president and CEO, wrote a letter in support of the venture.

"PNC has made a major contribution to the Golden Triangle, and we feel comfortable that having them as the owner of 600 and 604 Liberty Avenue means we will have a quality building and a quality tenant," he wrote.

PNC was one of two firms to respond to a request for proposals in December. The other dropped out.

Mark Belko: mbelko@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1262.

Originally Posted by Evergrey (Post 5533842)

thanks for keeping us updated T-Bone

Originally Posted by TBone7281 (Post 5533848)

Only giving credit where credit is due. :)

Happy New Years, Pittsburgh!

Originally Posted by Gilamonster (Post 5534772)

It doesn't have financing as far as the public knows but it hasn't been cancelled either. Well again, as far as the public knows it hasn't been cancelled. I think there is a pretty good chance that something much smaller and grand happens on that Grandview ave site. You might as well hold off on putting that in the front page list of projects.

Originally Posted by Wiz Khalifa (Post 5535711)

Cork Factory phase 2

Originally Posted by Gilamonster (Post 5533684)

Even before I read the last few posts, my intention for posting was to ask if anyone out there knew what was going on with the building next to Three PNC that used to house the infamous Powerball billboard. I see TBone7281 has taken a picture of this building a few posts prior. It looks like a restoration project with a new facade to be constructed. Score one for the preservationists. In my brief Google search, I haven't come across anything yet. Details anyone?

Originally Posted by MattofSloppyVariety (Post 5536522)

Does anyone know what's going on with the old Holiday Inn off the Parkway East near Wilkinsburg/Edgewood? I saw a sign there a couple months ago for a sheriff's sale, but haven't seen anything about what is to happen to the building.

Originally Posted by GeneW (Post 5536746)

Some more pictures of Lot 24 on the builder's website. I'm not blown away by the design but heck 96 units is pretty huge.

Originally Posted by glowrock (Post 5531307)

The problem with many people here on SSP is that they don't consider the COSTS of what they propose, for instance an insistance on underground parking next to a major river with an aquifer located not far below ground level with a capacity of 5,000+ vehicles... ;)

My guess would be a minimum of $100 million for that kind of underground parking capacity, perhaps even higher.

Aaron (Glowrock)

Originally Posted by mhays (Post 5537475)

Dunno about Pittsburgh, and construction costs and soil conditions are pretty local, but as a Seattle (sort of) construction guy I'd guess $200,000,000.

I haven't read the next few pages yet, so forgive any duplication. But there are several ways of creating a dry site during construction, and keeping the water out after. Parking garages deep under heavy groundwater are nothing new. It's a cost issue. As for keeping the water out during floods, the building perimeter plus an emergency watertight door system should be plenty. Alternatively, a small berm around the entire garage, with a ramp or two over it, would be a cheap option, though probably less secure.

Originally Posted by Evergrey (Post 5540024)

Originally Posted by Evergrey (Post 5540024)

Originally Posted by glowrock (Post 5544035)

The best place for an extension of LRT is going to be to the airport, period. Make it an express service, perhaps only a couple of stops would be needed. It would automatically be a popular service due to the thousands of people who travel between downtown and the airport daily, even with the airport's current relatively low level of overall service.

BRT extensions should be put out as far as Monroeville on the east and Cranberry/Wexford on the north.

Aaron (Glowrock)

Originally Posted by Gilamonster (Post 5544643)

I like the idea of the multi-use stadium on the western lot of station square. Hopefully it looks decent and makes it near the 5000 seat capacity that the initial articles have mentioned.