PITTSBURGH | Development Rundown II

[East Edge]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

If it includes an observation deck, the one huge advantage to a North Shore location is that there doesn't currently exist a high-up view of Downtown from that angle.

I applaud Peduto for thinking outside the box on this idea. Its cool in spirit but would much rather see the funding that it would take to relocate/rebuild this somewhere in the city go towards the West End Bridge Revitalization and cantilevered pedestrian bridge. This will create one of the best viewing experiences of the rivers and skyline as well as another icon unique to Pittsburgh and not bringing another city's icon to our city.

In a way i think that building a second washington monument kind of steals the thunder away from the original monument's restoration. So...not sure I'm sold on the idea think we have bigger fish to fry and kind of gimmicky / forced. I would rather this be a temporary art exhibit that travels around the country and around the world to create awareness of the fact the monument was restored.

[Austinlee]

BUILD THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT LOCUST SHELL!! And how about a mud monster president Lincoln statue to sit next to Fred Rogers?!

I feel like this is a bad episode of Portlandia.

[NYC2ATX]

I think it's an awesome and unique idea. Obviously some measures would have to be taken to lengthen the lifespan of the structure, as it wasn't originally constructed to last forever, but it could be like Pittsburgh's Eiffel Tower. I'm all for it

[PGHFan]

I think it would be great, properly situated and maintained. Location might also be a challenge but other cities have large iconic structures along river fronts without grand plazas. The London Eye comes to mind. Installing the scaffolding would be a bold move. Seizing the opportunity to do it would show bold leadership.

[BrianTH]

Parking structures are nobody's favorite project, but I am willing to believe that with the boom in occupancy, renovation, and new construction Downtown, there may be a market for more parking spaces:

http://www.post-gazette.com/business/201...-retail-report-says/stories/201405150446

What I don't believe is the claim by the Stabiles of the world that these parking structures need massive public subsidies. The sorts of people who can afford the rents that they are charging for new units Downtown can typically also afford to pay a substantial parking lease. And if in fact at the cost of financing a parking space they would prefer not to pay, then fine.

In that sense, parking spaces for Downtown residents are sort of like a second bedroom. Some potential Downtown residents may well want or need a second bedroom, and will be willing to pay extra rent to get one. Others will not need a second bedroom and would prefer to pay less. Developers can figure out the mix that makes the most sense, and charge rents accordingly.

But no one is arguing the public should be subsidizing second bedrooms just because some potential Downtown residents will want them. And we shouldn't be subsidizing parking spaces either.

By the way, all this was coming out of some mentions in the PDP's latest report on the State of Downtown, and it will come as no surprise it is full of very positive trends:

http://www.downtownpittsburgh.com/_files/docs/2014_sod_web.pdf

I think we should recognize that Downtown's momentum is extremely powerful right now, and for fundamental reasons. Accordingly, we should be very wary about big public projects (or publicly-subsdized projects), particularly ones that will dictate land use for decades to come. That is not to say there is no role for the public to play, particularly when it comes to things like public infrastructure and services, public spaces, historic preservation, and so on. But the time is well past when the public needs to play at being a main developer Downtown.

[Evergrey]

Originally Posted by GeneW

Man, that project just won't die.

The Turnpike Authority should be abolished.

[GeneW]

Originally Posted by Evergrey

The Turnpike Authority should be abolished.

Well someone's got to run the existing Turnpike but I'm not exactly sure why it can't just be PennDot. Why do we need two totally separate highway departments in the state?

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by Evergrey

The Turnpike Authority should be abolished.

Agreed. In fact, the feds may be heading toward addressing the massive and growing federal transportation spending shortfall--primarily caused by their political inability to inflation-index the federal gas tax--in part by authorizing states to do a lot more tolling of federal highway:

http://www.bondbuyer.com/issues/123_82/obama-highway-bill-oks-interstate-tolls-1061994-1.html

This could actually be good news for Pennsylvania, but only if we have institutions and policies in place that will ensure those new funding streams are used wisely. And the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is the exact opposite of the sort of institution we need to make efficient, forward-thinking use of such an opportunity.

So turnpike operations and policy should be folded into PennDOT, particularly if and when authorizing tolling becomes a much more significant component of federal transportation financing.

[eschaton]

The proper place for the Washington Monument scaffolding is Monument Hill. Both due to the name and already high vantage point. Just make a set of public steps or something climbing up Martindale Street. Great access from the T as well.

[Austinlee]

Originally Posted by NYC2ATX

I think it's an awesome and unique idea. Obviously some measures would have to be taken to lengthen the lifespan of the structure, as it wasn't originally constructed to last forever, but it could be like Pittsburgh's Eiffel Tower. I'm all for it

No, it would be like Las Vegas's Eiffel Tower replica.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by eschaton

The proper place for the Washington Monument scaffolding is Monument Hill. Both due to the name and already high vantage point. Just make a set of public steps or something climbing up Martindale Street. Great access from the T as well.

That's a fantastic idea. I believe the parking lot (eastern) portion of Monument Hill would get you around 125 more feet in height over a location along the river. And I wonder if you could do some sort of pedestrian bridge over from the garage/T-Station--that would provide great access for everyone, but in particular would address ADA issues.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by Austinlee

No, it would be like Las Vegas's Eiffel Tower replica.

I'll admit I don't really understand that comparison. The scaffolding is related to the Washington Monument, but isn't really a replica of it--it obviously looks quite different (really about as different as any two obelisk-shaped things can look), and it is even a bit bigger.

I'm not sure there is really a great analog out there for this project. It is almost more like the cases of ships being turned into floating museums, or the guy who used parts of the Pitt Stadium in his office project, in the sense that what you are really talking about is a re-use, not a replica.

The funky thing is that the original use was so humble--I guess for some people, that sparks too much fear of ridicule. Personally, though, I think that makes it all the cooler, and in fact in the spirit of our times. Then again, it still wouldn't make sense if it didn't have proven aesthetic appeal, but the architect/designer apparently knew what he was doing, because it was very well-received.

[GeneW]

Originally Posted by eschaton

The proper place for the Washington Monument scaffolding is Monument Hill. Both due to the name and already high vantage point. Just make a set of public steps or something climbing up Martindale Street. Great access from the T as well.

That is a good idea. Never quite understood why they took the monument down from Monument Hill and stuck it in West Park.

[popstar]

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2...ights-on-North-Side/stories/201405170042

[BrianTH]

The AWC receiver is arguing to the court that the URA is violating its own mission by impeding the developer plan:

http://triblive.com/news/allegheny/6127934-74/center-million-bid#axzz31yQ5TTXY

Just a guess (having not seen the filing), but she may be making a "good faith" sort of argument. The URA apparently does have some contractual power to review and approve changes, but that sort of thing would be subject to a duty of good faith, and she might be arguing violating their own mission is indicative of a failure to comply with that duty.

[BrianTH]

More on the Union Trust renovations. Sounds like they have a lot of work to do:

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/bl...lding-all-you-need-is-cash.html?page=all

[popstar]

While driving through East Liberty I think I noticed an orange public hearing notice on the baby land building. I didn't get a chance to stop. That's such a prominent corner - anyone know what's going on there?

[Evergrey]

I saw the orange sign on Baby land as well, popstar.

[eschaton]

I was going to post about this myself, but I was already ninjaed it seems. Do we have any regulars who walk through that area? Should be easy to determine on foot.

[popstar]

Originally Posted by Evergrey

I saw the orange sign on Baby land as well, popstar.

It would be great to see a large development on that corner... even better if that dumpy Monroe Muffler place across the street would use their land for something other than storing junk and giant dirt piles.