PITTSBURGH | Development Rundown II

[BrianTH]

I think restoring the street grid is absolutely crucial. The North Shore and the other nearby parts of the former City of Allegheny are all coming along. Allegheny Center could be at the heart of all that with the restoration of the street grid.

I'm more neutral about what you do within the blocks within that grid, aside from not destroying any more historic buildings. Suisman is basically taking the position that leaving in place existing structures is good environmental policy, which I can sorta respect but I also think this area has too much value to let environmental concerns be the sole driver of land-use policy.

[Austinlee]

Yeah, imagine how much the core of the city would be connected with a couple key project areas: Tear down the horrible Allegheny Mall and connect the awesome north side with downtown. That might be the best place for the T to be extended into the heart of the northside where ridership would be an instant hit.

Second, continue to develop uptown and the hill to connect oakland and downtown and have a vibrant residential areas in between. The location would make it an instant hit once it hits its stride.

[themaguffin]

It depends on what would replace Allegheny Ctr. The few streets omitted are not a significant issue. After all, there are streets around the current land. the big "grid" problem with the North Side is really the interestate chopping up the area.

[BrianTH]

Actually getting into or through Allegheny Center is a total nightmare, making it a dead-end or at least a confusing barrier from every direction:

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=pittsburg...,+Allegheny,+Pennsylvania&gl=us&t=m&z=16

I don't see how the status quo could be deemed acceptable, particular if you want it to become a place people would walk into from the surrounding areas. And restoring the grid really makes the most sense in terms of smoothly integrating it into the surrounding areas.

And it is not like the resulting blocks would be a huge impediment to development--they are the same size as the blocks Downtown, so you could build way up if you wanted to.

[themaguffin]

I'm not for or against any configuration other than I think the current use of a waste of space and the entire footprint would be something really dynamic.

[BrianTH]

Speaking of Station Square . . .

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/loca...square-considers-selling-complex-648915/

Forest City seems to have lost interest in Pittsburgh after losing out on the casino, so I would love to see a new owner with more ambition for the site.

[glowrock]

I agree, BrianTH. Since Forest City doesn't seem to want to do anything good with Station Square (though the Riverhounds stadium is certainly a good use of space IMO!), then hopefully they can sell it to a developer who wants to increase the density of the site, add some residential, etc... etc...

Aaron (Glowrock)

[themaguffin]

I disagree about the stadium. Using prime space like that is waste considering the residential opportunity or even office opportunity lost (likely both).

In any case, it's time for a new owner who will hopefully tap into the potential of the complex and available land.

[glowrock]

Originally Posted by themaguffin

I disagree about the stadium. Using prime space like that is waste considering the residential opportunity or even office opportunity lost (likely both).

In any case, it's time for a new owner who will hopefully tap into the potential of the complex and available land.

Honestly, Pittsburgh has a LOT of what should be prime land available, themaguffin. A relatively small area for a soccer stadium isn't a bad use, IMO. Besides, it will bring more people into Station Square, anyhow.

Aaron (Glowrock)

[themaguffin]

Prime as in river front opposite downtown? T adjacent?

[glowrock]

Originally Posted by themaguffin

Prime as in river front opposite downtown? T adjacent?

If there wasn't still many acres of surface parking still at and around Station Square I'd agree with you, themaguffin. But since there's more than enough remaining space to add hundreds of residential units, either in midrise-tower or 4-5 story building form, I still have no problem with some of it becoming the Riverhounds stadium...

Aaron (Glowrock)

[Austinlee]

Originally Posted by glowrock

If there wasn't still many acres of surface parking still at and around Station Square I'd agree with you, themaguffin. But since there's more than enough remaining space to add hundreds of residential units, either in midrise-tower or 4-5 story building form, I still have no problem with some of it becoming the Riverhounds stadium...

Aaron (Glowrock)

Totally agree. There is actually a ton of land in that strip between the river and i think a soccer stadium is a pretty good use for that space.

[BrianTH]

As you approach the bridge, that becomes a challenging site due to its narrowing. Obviously you are also getting farther from the T station and the Smithfield Bridge.

In any event, should all the other developable land in Station Square be used up, the capital investment in the Riverhounds stadium will have been small enough that it could easily be redeveloped.

[Jonboy1983]

I agree that it seems Forrest City has lost interest in developing Station Square further. They said they will develop the residential uses across from the T even if they're not awarded the casino license (which they weren't), and nothing has materialized, has it? They'll probably argue that demand wasn't quite there. Maybe it wasn't, but if that's the case, then why are some other parts of the city going through an ongoing development boom (including residential use) while this part is not?

With regard to the soccer stadium, I kinda like where it is situated. I think that part of Station Square should give way to park or green space. I initially thought that whole part of land between the Ft. Pitt Bridge over to the West End Bridge should be redeveloped into some mixed use development, but I'm changing my opinion. Are they ever going to build a footbridge into the eastern side of the West End Bridge? I remember there being a design competition a while back, but I haven't heard anything since then. If they do go ahead and build that, then I think that part of the Mon Shore should be turned into a park with trails providing direct access to the Duquesne Incline, Station Square including the Riverhounds Stadium, and the new footbridge connecting the North Side. This would pretty much create a massive network of parks, including Point State Park, connected by a series of trails...

For my [redesigned] concept plan for the North Side, I am envisioning dropping I-279 below grade, building a new inter-city rail (and commuter rail) station using the existing NS tracks, extending Reedsdale Street with a 100-plus foot median (decking over I-279) to essentially extend Commons Park to the South. I'm trying to figure out a way to connect Commons Park with the North Shore Park so that this green space network is even bigger...

[daviderik]

Originally Posted by Jonboy1983

I agree that it seems Forrest City has lost interest in developing Station Square further. They said they will develop the residential uses across from the T even if they're not awarded the casino license (which they weren't), and nothing has materialized, has it? They'll probably argue that demand wasn't quite there. Maybe it wasn't, but if that's the case, then why are some other parts of the city going through an ongoing development boom (including residential use) while this part is not?

...

I don't Know Jonboy, I guess you can't force the market to do something because others think its a good idea. It's about demand. If people want it a developer will be there to make a buck. But a good idea for some, may be a pipe dream in reality.

[Jonboy1983]

Originally Posted by daviderik

I don't Know Jonboy, I guess you can't force the market to do something because others think its a good idea. It's about demand. If people want it a developer will be there to make a buck. But a good idea for some, may be a pipe dream in reality.

Apparently...

[daviderik]

New ‘Green’ Dorm Opening On Duquesne University Campus



Many college students dread moving into the dorm because of the cinder block walls, cramped quarters and few comforts of home.

However, that’s hardly what is waiting for upperclassmen students at Duquesne University.

Des Places Hall is an all-suite residence hall on campus near UPMC Mercy Hospital. One, two and three-bedroom suites will be available in the 12-story building to juniors, seniors, grad students and those in law school.

“You can focus more, you can concentrate more on school,” Simon Gomez said. “It’s just perfect here. I feel like it is just amazing.”

Built to LEED Gold certification standards, the dorm will save an estimated 22 percent in energy each year.



How green is the building?

The site where it stands is actually recycled building materials from the old buildings that were pulverized before a high-powered magnet removed the metal to be recycled.

Water fountains are actually filling stations for reusable bottles. Elevators generate electricity when they slow down. Laundry facilities on every floor feature machines that use less water. Even the carpet tiles in the lounges are made with recycled products.

Yet for the 384 students moving in this fall, it really comes down to one thing.

“It surprised me because everything is really nice. When we came in, it was a lot of space so we can all do our own things,” Julio Perez said

http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2012/08/14/new-green-dorm-opening-on-duquesne-university-campus/

[glowrock]

Originally Posted by daviderik

I don't Know Jonboy, I guess you can't force the market to do something because others think its a good idea. It's about demand. If people want it a developer will be there to make a buck. But a good idea for some, may be a pipe dream in reality.

Yeah, "the market"... Kinda like the same "market" that still treats Pittsburgh as if it's 1985 in terms of retail coming to town? The same "market" that seems to believe the unemployment rate is still 20%+ rather than less than 7%? The same "market" that pretty much refuses to build any substantial amount of new housing, so pretty much all that's available is either extremely old and in dire need of renovation or a very few new condos at outrageously high prices? The same "market" that, for some reason, refuses to acknowledge nearly every improved socioeconomic indicator over the last decade or so?

Oh yeah, that "market"...

Aaron (Glowrock)

[daviderik]

No, the market as in Free Market. As how this economy is suppost to run. With out any "central planners". How free people conduct business. If people on the outside want to think bad about pittsburgh thats due to false preceptions. I myself can not help that. Let me guess, Tax dollars should be spent to "encourage" development. Or better Idea lets give a giant tax break to the first business man that promises anything. That never bites us in the ass.

[AaronPGH]

Or maybe the case is that Forest City is so busy working on big-ticket multi-billion dollar projects like Atlantic Yards in Brooklyn, that they've continued to sit on Station Square and do nothing with it even though the market is healthy enough to support a residential project there. Why do you think they're putting it up for sale? They see value in the land.