PITTSBURGH | Development Rundown II - Page 238

photoLith · #**4741** Posted **Jul 26, 2013, 4:45 AM**

This doesnt really relate to anything, well sort of but me and some friends got some kick ass photos from a sketchy vantage point above the strip, almost died getting up there. And with a good portion of the Produce Terminal getting torn down this is probably one of the last times this vantage will be seen like this

Evergrey · #**4742** Posted **Jul 26, 2013, 12:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Private Dick

What's going on with the airport? Is the demand for flights into and out of Pittsburgh just not there right now?

For all the good things happening in Pittsburgh and the seemingly-constant, positive national press, the airport is completely dead. It doesn't seem to make sense.

There has actually been incremental progress there of late. Off the top of my head... a Nashville nonstop is starting in September... a nonstop to Nassau is starting in the winter (very limited/seasonal)... and American added flights to LAX (in addition to United's daily flight).

On the downside... Sith Lord Doug Parker will close the brand new USAir Flight Operations Center at PIT soon.

GeneW · #**4743** Posted **Jul 26, 2013, 1:46 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Private Dick

What's going on with the airport? Is the demand for flights into and out of Pittsburgh just not there right now?

For all the good things happening in Pittsburgh and the seemingly-constant, positive national press, the airport is completely dead. It doesn't seem to make sense.

There's not much mystery, it was designed to be big enough to be a regional hub for US Airways but that only lasted for a decade before they reneged on the deal and pulled out. Unless someone decides to put another hub in there, I don't think that Pittsburgh can ever generate enough traffic to keep even half the airport open.

Also, if they did manage to re-open more of the gates, they'd have to figure out how to handle a lot more people through security. As it is, it can take as long as 90 minutes to get through the TSA lines at PIT.

BrianTH · #**4744** Posted **Jul 26, 2013, 1:51 PM**

Right, the airport is always going to seem dead for most of the time because it is ridiculously overbuilt for a non-hub airport in a city of Pittsburgh's size. I expect there will be a halting trend of overall incremental growth over time, but I think it is very unlikely the airport will ever get anywhere close to capacity, barring a fundamental change in air travel economics, or something like the proposal to move some East Coast connecting travel into PIT.

Edit: Here is a white paper on that proposal, incidentally. In theory it makes a lot of sense, but in practice it would step on a lot of toes.

http://www.pitairport.com/UserFiles/File/pdf/Case_Program.pdf

cdc · #**4745** Posted **Jul 26, 2013, 1:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by dfiler

The preference for transit/walking/biking is not idealism. It is actually the predominant model in use in the world today. The United States strayed farthest from that model but is now returning to it in many urban centers.

Even if you live in town and walk to work (as I do), there are still
times you need to drive places. And when that happens it is often
terrible to be in Pittsburgh due to geographic constraints and the
poor transportation infrastructure we have. When you are used to a
carefree walk to work, it makes the pain of driving around here even
worse. Much worse.

The problem with transit vs. walking/biking/driving is that your
location and schedule are no longer fully under your control. You
lose some freedom in choosing when you come or go. Even when the bus
schedule aligns with your plans, I've found it is often extra slow due
to the high density of PAT bus stops in the east end.

Found5dollar · #**4746** Posted **Jul 26, 2013, 2:36 PM**

I was at the airport yesterday and they have moved the big bridge transformer statue to the check in terminal (the empty side) it is so awesome.

Ad a question, wenh on the people mover between where you chek in and the terminals there is a platform that you pas by that you never stop at. It has some amazing murals on it. What was it for?

deja vu · #**4747** Posted **Jul 26, 2013, 3:03 PM**

Anyone else see Pittsburgh featured on the July-August cover of Metropolis Magazine?

(Click on 'Urban Characters' for article).

This, not too long after being on Arch. Record's cover.

Jonboy1983 · #**4748** Posted **Jul 26, 2013, 5:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Found5dollar

I was at the airport yesterday and they have moved the big bridge transformer statue to the check in terminal (the empty side) it is so awesome.

Ad a question, wenh on the people mover between where you chek in and the terminals there is a platform that you pas by that you never stop at. It has some amazing murals on it. What was it for?

I take it you're referring to the little platform area almost right on top of the Landside Terminal platform where ticketing/baggage claim and ground transportation are all located. I think that's part of the baggage handling system. I always wondered why part of that was visible. Maybe it was a way for maintenance workers to access the trams if/when necessary...

pyrohy · #**4749** Posted **Jul 27, 2013, 1:41 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by photoLith

This doesnt really relate to anything, well sort of but me and some friends got some kick ass photos from a sketchy vantage point above the strip, almost died getting up there. And with a good portion of the Produce Terminal getting torn down this is probably one of the last times this vantage will be seen like this

Nice photo! Did you and your friends have to climb scaffolding?

Jonboy1983 · #**4750** Posted **Jul 27, 2013, 3:38 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyrohy

Nice photo! Did you and your friends have to climb scaffolding?

nice photo indeed. Is that St. Stanislaus by any chance? How is that shot possible???

In any event, for those who are not bored by transportation, here's part 2 of my North Shore installment, transportation and recreational use. My third part will talk about how to redevelop the mess that is Allegheny Center, but that is something I really do not see happening anytime soon.

Well, none of it I really see happening, but heck, a guy can dream, right?
http://urbandesigneggshell.blogspot.com/2013/07/pittsburghs-north-shore-part-two.html

pghusa · #**4751** Posted **Jul 27, 2013, 6:04 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by deja vu

Anyone else see Pittsburgh featured on the July-August cover of Metropolis Magazine?

(Click on 'Urban Characters' for article).

This, not too long after being on Arch. Record's cover.

Very nice finds Deja vu! Enjoyed these.

pghusa · #**4752** Posted **Jul 27, 2013, 6:05 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Found5dollar

I was at the airport yesterday and they have moved the big bridge transformer statue to the check in terminal (the empty side) it is so awesome.

Haven't been inside the airport since 2011, what exactly is the "big bridge transformer statue"? Any pics online . . . yes this got my curiosity up.

BrianTH · #**4753** Posted **Jul 27, 2013, 4:26 PM**

Thunderbird Cafe's proposed expansion was approved by the Zoning Board of Adjustment:

http://www.pghcitypaper.com/Blogh/archiv...d-approves-expansion-of-thunderbird-cafe

http://www.pghcitypaper.com/Blogh/archiv...ery-pleased-with-expansion-approval#more

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/loca...nderbird-cafe-given-ok-to-expand-696586/

Quote:

[C]lub owner John Pergal is pursuing a $3 million project that would consolidate several properties in the block between 41st Street and Almond Way along Butler Street. The plan would create a new two-story building that will house an expanded Thunderbird, raising the venue's capacity from 246 to 600, and a new three-story building that would hold a restaurant kitchen and residential units above. Pergal wants to expand his concert venue to have more of a "supper club" feel.

Score one against the NIMBYs.

photoLith · #**4754** Posted **Jul 27, 2013, 4:30 PM**

How will they expand and build a three story building. Where the cafe is located is on a block with no vacant lots.

BrianTH · #**4755** Posted **Jul 27, 2013, 4:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by photoLith

How will they expand and build a three story building. Where the cafe is located is on a block with no vacant lots.

I'm not sure of the details but this link has a brief description:

http://apps.pittsburghpa.gov/dcp/schedule33/agenda-33-292.pdf

Quote:

Existing restaurant expansion and use of two and three story addition with a second restaurant (general); use of second, third and fourth floors as multi-unit residential with 4 dwelling units.

And the P-G article said:

Quote:

The Thunderbird would occupy 9,100 square feet at 4021-4027 Butler St. and a second restaurant at 4029 Butler would be 2,400 square feet.

4021 is the building next door that used to house a security company:

http://goo.gl/maps/HLAKy

4029 takes you all the way to the corner where the florist was:

http://goo.gl/maps/9xpEs

Behind 4021-27 there are a couple open spaces and a crappy addition:

http://goo.gl/maps/0k6Vs

Similarly behind 4029 is a crappy addition:

http://goo.gl/maps/pEsYd

So I'm gathering they are combining all those buildings and then adding some new stuff in the back area, which collectively will make the new complex. They may or may not be doing something to the existing back additions.

daviderik · #**4756** Posted **Jul 27, 2013, 10:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by pghusa

Haven't been inside the airport since 2011, what exactly is the "big bridge transformer statue"? Any pics online . . . yes this got my curiosity up.

Maybe this?

Jonboy1983 · #**4757** Posted **Jul 28, 2013, 3:25 AM**

I like the idea of that enlarged Thunderbird's. Lawrenceville is becoming more and more hip. I like it.

Smuttynose1 · #**4758** Posted **Jul 28, 2013, 4:52 PM**

The Deseret News, based in Salt Lake City, apparently can't differentiate Pittsburgh from Detroit --

Detroit, like Greece, fell victim to Stein's Law
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/76563...ce-fell-victim-to-Steins-Law.html?pg=all

Jonboy1983 · #**4759** Posted **Jul 28, 2013, 5:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smuttynose1

The Deseret News, based in Salt Lake City, apparently can't differentiate Pittsburgh from Detroit --

Detroit, like Greece, fell victim to Stein's Law
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/76563...ce-fell-victim-to-Steins-Law.html?pg=all

ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!!

Wow... The Desert News and/or Associated Press really really REALLY needs a drastic lesson in US geography!

Yeah, not Detroit, but a rust belt city actually on the launch pad with the ignition sequence commenced and well underway...

I mentioned the A.P. because according to the caption, the photo is courtesy of the AP...

Found5dollar · #**4760** Posted **Jul 28, 2013, 5:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by daviderik

Maybe this?

yes! this!
http://boringpittsburgh.com/news/arch-the-bridge-transformer-pittsburgh-airport/