PITTSBURGH | Development Rundown II

[BrianTH]

Pretty solid preliminary June jobs numbers for the Pittsburgh MSA:

http://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.pa_pittsburgh_msa.htm

If you look back at the 12-month % change, it looked like there was an increasing slowdown from January through March. But it popped back up in April and the preliminary number for June is a very solid 1.3%.

Part of what is likely going on here is just that a couple months worth of this pretty volatile number isn't all that reliable in terms of gauging broader trends. In fact if you do something like go to the 24-month % change (which requires downloading the Excel spreadsheet), the apparent slowdown earlier this year largely disappears.

As far as sources of growth, it is mostly the same old story. Mining and Logging is high in percentage terms, but not really a huge story in gross terms. Eds and Meds is still contributing, but the real steady drivers of jobs growth are Financial Activities and Professional and Business Services. Some good news is Manufacturing has picked up a bit, but both Construction and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities are negative (however Construction may just be a data quality issue--it looked bad last year and then they had to do a huge revision). Government is stuck well in negative as it has been for a long time. Finally Leisure and Hospitality has come on increasingly strong in the last few months--that is one to watch since it would be another nice diversifier for Pittsburgh if this became a growth area.

[dfiler]

There are actually relatively few dead ends. Many used to be through streets according to old maps I have saved somewhere on my home computer. Some of those were cut off to build the parkway (I376). Many streets in the neighborhood have been added or removed since the area first started being settled. Eventually this resulted in most through streets being removed and relying solely on Braddock avenue.

Housing developments, in exactly the modern sense, were put in as each wealthy land owner sold their land. Mansions were torn down and houses erected. It is interesting to track this progress through the turn of the century. As each development went in, roads were rearranged so that they'd make more sense.

I even have a real-estate pamphlet for Hampton Place, where my home is located. It advertises 5 foot stone sidewalks, curbs, and both gasses already plumbed to each plot. Over a hundred passenger trains a day stopped at the end of my block.

To give an idea of just how significant those transportation network changes were, consider the fact that most of the buildings in downtown Wilkinsburg were picked up off their foundations while the entire area was lowered a few feet. The railroad tracks were also raised a few feet and this saved many lives by providing underpasses for pedestrians and vehicles.

On a separate topic...

It is interesting that the Frick Environmental center is finally being rebuilt. I hope they don't chop down the surrounding massive trees in the process. The drawings shown here would mean that many of the 100 to 200 year old oaks would be removed! This would be a shame.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by dfiler

There are actually relatively few dead ends. Many used to be through streets according to old maps I have saved somewhere on my home computer. Some of those were cut off to build the parkway (I376).

Are you referring to Regent Square? I've seen a lot of old maps, and I am pretty sure the streets clockwise from the south entrance of Braddock until you get all the way to Forbes never went off the promontory. Counter-clockwise from the south entrance of Braddock, it does appear that at one point Mifflin connected down to Allenby (then called Allen). Other than that, I don't think there has been any other lost streets connections along those stretches. But if you can post images from those maps you referenced that would be great.

Incidentally, Braddock was in fact re-aligned at some point between Allenby/Allen and the other side of the Nine Mile Run valley, probably as part of I-376 coming through although I haven't been able to confirm that. Part of the old alignment is still there, serving as the drive to the Frick Park entrance and the lower-level of the commercial building (I guess it is now officially considered part of Allenby). And on that former stretch of Braddock you can still see some of the streetcar tracks that used to run along it:

http://goo.gl/maps/VPBJw

[daviderik]

Who designed the condo addition to the old Lazarus building? It looks like they just plopped it on top without caring what it looks like. Very disjointed and ugly.

[Jonboy1983]

Originally Posted by daviderik

Who designed the condo addition to the old Lazarus building? It looks like they just plopped it on top without caring what it looks like. Very disjointed and ugly.

That would be Lucas Piatt of Millcraft Associates, given that this building is known as Piatt Place. I like how contemporary it looks, but you are right that it really should blend in better with the building. I've often thought that myself.

In any event, not to steer this into yet another heated discussion about One Grandview or Station Square, but I have posted another update to my blog, this time talking about how I would plan a development for Station Square.

http://urbandesigneggshell.blogspot.com/2013/07/vision-for-station-square.html

[popstar]

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/loca...pressway-supporter-changes-lanes-696148/

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by popstar

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/loca...pressway-supporter-changes-lanes-696148/

So, I am glad to see even former key supporters of the MFE are throwing in the towel on the Pittsburgh part.

However, this proposed alternative really doesn't make any sense, and in fact would hurt one of the region's key transit assets (the East Busway).

Fortunately, there IS a good alternative, which is simply extending the East Busway itself to Monroeville.

[Jonboy1983]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

So, I am glad to see even former key supporters of the MFE are throwing in the towel on the Pittsburgh part.

However, this proposed alternative really doesn't make any sense, and in fact would hurt one of the region's key transit assets (the East Busway).

Fortunately, there IS a good alternative, which is simply extending the East Busway itself to Monroeville.

My sentiments as well. I've said for a while that they should just abandon the Pittsburgh segment. Hazelwood and Ranking/Braddock don't want it anyway. Having said that, I think they should build a road in the valley, but I see that as more of a parkway or boulevard -- something scenic and that can actually bring more traffic and development to these economically depressed areas...

You really can't travel directly between Hazelwood, Braddock and/or McKeesport, and I'd like to see a road that will allow you to do so but without the cost of potentially crippling what ever those areas have left.

Putting non-transit vehicles on the busway? Seriously?

Anyway, I posted this in my blog. For my whole opinion, click here: http://urbandesigneggshell.blogspot.com/2013/07/mon-fayette-expressway-update.html

[Jonboy1983]

And just when I posted a blog update on Station Square, this comes out in the Tribune-Review:

http://triblive.com/business/headlines/4387869-74/forest-hotel-million#axzz2ZcRvosTH

It will be interesting to see how the Sheraton is renovated, but I really hope that the unsightly parking lot gets developed soon!!

http://urbandesigneggshell.blogspot.com/2013/07/sheraton-station-square-sold.html

[themaguffin]

It's the complex that needs to be refreshed. Perhaps the hotel, but definitely the complex, along with further development.
I don't get the impression from the article that they plan to really do much other than sit on it and go forward as is...

[Austinlee]

Here's how the soon to be renovated Liberty Tunnels (Tubes) façade will look... Nice and clean!



http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/loca...erty-tunnels-to-build-on-the-past-86066/


Liberty Tunnels to build on the past
February 20, 2012 12:00 am

By Jon Schmitz / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

.........The first phase of renovations in the 1.1-mile tunnels began in April 2008. PennDOT has invested about $23 million in the tunnels during the first three phases.

Much of the next phase, estimated to cost as much as $24 million, will involve removal and repair of deteriorated concrete, Mr. DiFiore said. When the steel skin was stripped away, about 2 feet of the 4-foot-thick concrete wall behind it was in poor shape, he said.......

....Completion is scheduled for November 2013.

*Note: The original construction cost of the Liberty Tunnels was approx. $4.5 million in the starting time frame of 1920 and opened in 1924. [That would be $50,997,000 in todays dollars] Also, think about the level of technology back then; It was a very impressive feat.

The construction of the Liberty Tunnels was a response to the South Hills’ residents complaints that the city officials favored the neighborhoods to the east: Shadyside, East Liberty and Wilkinsburg. The residents struggled to convince the officials that building a tunnel that would make the South Hills more accessible and build up land values. After nearly ten years, a contract for the construction of the Liberty Tunnels was awarded to Booth and Flynn Ltd. on December 3, 1919. A.D. Neeld came aboard for the project, electing to work on this instead of the Holland Tunnel.

Wow, no surprise! The South Hills residents were bitching back then and they are STILL bitching 100 years later about the Mon-Fayette Expressway taking too long/not getting built; Or complaining about how bad traffic is on Washington Rd.



So it took $51 million adjusted dollars to build and $47 million now to rehab. But I suppose it was all worth it; Some of the best and most dense inner ring "suburbs"/neighborhood are along the South Hills T line as well as Mt Lebanon and Upper St Clair, the two TOP school districts in the STATE!! Go south hills. Whine and ye shall receive I guess.

[photoLith]

Got any photos of what it looked like before they started redoing the tunnel?

[BrianTH]

Rats--I was looking forward to a new owner taking over Station Square.

[Austinlee]

Originally Posted by photoLith

Got any photos of what it looked like before they started

This handy traffic circle i'm sure kept traffic moving without any accidents or traffic jams!





"R U A SAFE DRIVER? LOL, STFU. BRB!!1!" - DON'T TEXT & DRIVE!




Ahhhhh SHIT! Bungalow life!! WOOT WOOT!




It's gotten pretty ugly over the years on the South Hills entrance:






http://www.wtae.com/news/traffic/liberty.../-/9681366/7748594/-/iuaske/-/index.html


"Put on your best suit and grab a shovel boys!" - 1919



http://bradystewartphoto.photoshelter.com/image/I0000UQ9U__vuIJ0

The Liberty Bridge was dedicated on March 27, 1928

http://www.brooklineconnection.com/history/Gallery/Bridge28.html



You have arrived, neighbors! The pinnacle of urban design. Your very own... BROOKLINE BUNGALOW!!!!

[photoLith]

Wow, glad they are rebuilding to the way it sort of looked when it was first opened.

[Jonboy1983]

Originally Posted by themaguffin

It's the complex that needs to be refreshed. Perhaps the hotel, but definitely the complex, along with further development.
I don't get the impression from the article that they plan to really do much other than sit on it and go forward as is...

I kinda get that vibe as well.

Also, I saw this in the transportation forum. Port Authority should read this!!!

http://urbandesigneggshell.blogspot.com/2013/07/how-to-fund-transit-without-cutting.html

[Austinlee]

The Bridges of Pittsburgh: David McCullough Bridge



July 21, 2013 12:15 am
By Marylynne Pitz / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

As historian David McCullough celebrated his 80th birthday in his native Pittsburgh, state and local officials renamed the 16th Street Bridge in his honor during a July 7 ceremony.

The distinguished author of "Truman," "John Adams" and "The Path Between the Seas," Mr. McCullough also recounted the daunting challenges of building the Brooklyn Bridge in his 1972 work, "The Great Bridge."


Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/life...-mccullough-bridge-696251/#ixzz2Zijl7zxs

And for any new forumers, this would be Austinlee:

[glowrock]

You bridged Pittsburgh, Austin?

Aaron (Glowrock)

[Steel City Scotty]

It's nice to have a face to go with the name, Austin.

I realize the man in your avatar isn't you, but since that's all I've ever had to go by, I've subconsciously pictured that being what you look like.

[Minivan Werner]

I think better connections should be made from Station Square to the South Side. There's kind of a gap between the two without much pedestrian or vehicular options. If you extended Station Square Drive to McKean Street and developed that parking area to the south & east of the Smithfield Bridge you could have one continuous entertainment district from the Highmark Stadium all the way to the South Side Works.