PITTSBURGH | Development Rundown II

[BrianTH]

It has a lot of competition, but the Brewhouse is still one of my favorite renovations in the works. I hope the design is worthy of it.

[GeneW]

Steel going up at Bakery Square II:

[Steel City Scotty]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

It has a lot of competition, but the Brewhouse is still one of my favorite renovations in the works. I hope the design is worthy of it.

And speaking of Brewhouse renovations, I'm still hoping that something great gets done at the former home of Iron City in Lawrenceville.

Last we heard, the major plans we saw in a rendering for that site were cancelled, correct?

[BrianTH]

This was the last I knew about the Iron City brewery project:

http://lvpgh.com/icb

I've never been clear on what Collier intends to do now.

[BrianTH]

In addition to the previously-reported Penn Avenue bike lanes, the City is also adding bike lanes in Schenley Park and Greenfield this summer:

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/ne...o-get-three-protected-bike-lanes-by.html

http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/6389251-74/bike-lanes-peduto#axzz36QsHoTi0

http://pittsburghpa.gov/mayor/release?id=3258

The last link has further links to maps for the lanes.

[BrianTH]

Article on AWC hearing:

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/ne...progressing-on-plan-to-buy.html?page=all

No real news, but the developer seems confident they can build the hotel while also leasing-back space and programming slots to the cultural program, and the judge apparently encouraged the parties to continue settlement negotiations while scheduling another hearing for next week.

[BrianTH]

Demolition of the former Poli's to make room for a 7-story mixed use building won't occur until early next year:

http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/6390859-74/building-demolition-floors#axzz3662nz4Ya

[BrianTH]

Plans for the Duquesne Incline hotel should be presented on the 8th:

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/ne...be-presented-for-site-near-duquesne.html

[photoLith]

Peduto putting in three protected bike lanes.

Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto and other city officials announced the construction of three protected bike lanes in the city. The lanes will be built from Schenley Plaza to Anderson Playground in Schenley Park, along Saline Street between Greenfield Avenue and Swinburne Street (Panther Hollow Trail) in Greenfield, and on Penn Avenue from 11th Street to Stanwix Avenue Downtown.
http://wesa.fm/post/dedicated-protected-bike-lanes-coming-pittsburgh-summer-s-end

Oops didn't see someone just posted this story.

[Found5dollar]

If it was completed by 2020, what one development project do you think would have the biggest impact on the city?

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/sl...sesif-it-was-completed-by-2020-what.html

This is so interesting. Virtually all the responses are expanded transportation. Mostly mass transit, but some road projects too. The cracker plant shows up a bit too.

The one that i find the most truthfull and most revealing is by John Seltzer where he says, "There are a number of ideas that come to mind, but until the city improves its finances, the other ideas will not come to fruition."

The one i find the worst idea is by Lisa w. "If we could bring back the steel mills to our area"

What does everyone here think?

[BrianTH]

A lot of those transit ideas couldn't be done by 2020 because there already isn't enough time left, given all the planning and studies and such that would need to be done first. If I was going to ignore that problem and nominate something, it would be an Oakland-centric aerial gondola system.

A more realistic nomination is the Oakland BRT project, which I think is often a bit underrated because people don't necessarily realize how many routes funnel through that corridor. But overall, I would give a multi-way tie to anyone who mentioned one the major development zones--ELTC/BKSQ 2.0, Lower Hill, ALMONO site, the Strip . . . lots could be accomplished, or at least started, in those sites by 2020 that would help set the stage for the next decade of development in the City.

[markson33]

I wonder if we are getting close to a point where the populace would support a 1% regional tax for a real mass transit system. That's usually how these things get accomplished, but its a tough sell.

Got to disagree about the city finances. It's important, but doesn't really have a significant effect on the regional economy.

I would have voted for the cracker plant.

[Austinlee]

*BRT to Oakland.
*Riverparc
*more direct flights to destinations from PIT Intl. Our airport is now a primitive backwaters in an increasingly globalizing world

[Austinlee]

*I also believe that a surface light rail extension from the *T north shore extension into the northside would spur massive amounts of infill and continued renovation of Pittsburgh's amazing gem of "Allegheny City". Run the line through central Northside/Allegheny West/Manchester up into Brighton Heights and maybe ends in Observatory Hill or even perrysville Ave where north hills commuters could park and ride the T in reducing downtown traffic to free up more space for apartment towers which downtown needs long term.

[BrianTH]

Trib article on the Tiny House project:

http://triblive.com/news/allegheny/6376279-74/tiny-garfield-houses#axzz36mQnzUNf

[markson33]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Trib article on the Tiny House project:

http://triblive.com/news/allegheny/6376279-74/tiny-garfield-houses#axzz36mQnzUNf

The more I see these, the less I like them. Totally out of place, high end trailer homes have no place in an urban environment.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by markson33

Totally out of place, high end trailer homes have no place in an urban environment.

Eh, if the unit density is the same as a rowhouse neighborhood, what business of mine is it if a particular home owner prefers more outside space at the cost of less inside space?

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by Austinlee

*I also believe that a surface light rail extension from the *T north shore extension into the northside would spur massive amounts of infill and continued renovation of Pittsburgh's amazing gem of "Allegheny City". Run the line through central Northside/Allegheny West/Manchester up into Brighton Heights and maybe ends in Observatory Hill or even perrysville Ave where north hills commuters could park and ride the T in reducing downtown traffic to free up more space for apartment towers which downtown needs long term.

The problem is the existing T line is poorly positioned for such a route, since Allegheny Station is positioned so far to the west.

The best route would be to drop to the surface to get under 65, then go up Fulton street in Manchester. Then have a bridge to cross the heavy rail lines, and follow California Avenue up through Brightwood, Brighton Heights, Bellevue, Avalon, etc. Then a later stage could route the final lap onto 65, going out to Sewickley, and then crossing the bridge to the Airport.

If you wanted to connect the rest of the North Side, IMHO you'd need a different T line. I'm not even sure if you could have North Side Station be the junction, as you'd have to tunnel through Monument Hill and under most of Allegheny Commons West. Even if you had the original station lined up with Federal (the best location, IMHO) you'd be kinda screwed, since the underground garage at the old Allegheny Center mall would need to be redeveloped, since a subway line would go right through it.

[themaguffin]

I was in town last week and visiting some friends at a bar on the North Side.
As some of you know, I'm not up there these days and that aside, haven't been to the N Side beyond the North Shore in many, many years.

It reminded me of what a gem (or one in the rough in places) that area is. Great old urban housing stock that's not the typical Pittsburgh/W PA housing that is everywhere.

Anyway, it reminded me of how much more potential is for this great, old and amazingly flat part of the city is.

[dfiler]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

In addition to the previously-reported Penn Avenue bike lanes, the City is also adding bike lanes in Schenley Park and Greenfield this summer:

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/ne...o-get-three-protected-bike-lanes-by.html

http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/6389251-74/bike-lanes-peduto#axzz36QsHoTi0

http://pittsburghpa.gov/mayor/release?id=3258

The last link has further links to maps for the lanes.

I was at the press conference and was really impressed by the mayor just speaking off the cuff.

For example, he talked about how the combined sanitary/storm sewers will need significant work in the near future. It seems ludicrous but the figure I remember him saying was $3.4 billion! His point was that if we need to tear up a bunch of streets and other property, we should put serious thought into how to rebuild when the work is done. That includes complete streets. He appeared to be a big proponent of complete streets. Also, if the work was being done along the river, he would like to see a greenway with pedestrian trail, etc.

Another example, the last time any attention was given to the downtown traffic grid was in the 50s. He is in favor of complete streets downtown as well. Like me, he didn't seem anti-car. Instead, he recognized that moving the highest number of cars through the city is not the only concern when making urban planning and transportation decisions.

What impressed me most was that Peduto and others in the city government traveled to Copenhagen to observe and learn how bike lanes and complete streets have been implemented successfully. They spent an entire week there! Personally, I think it is good that a politician is willing to seek out successful solutions implemented elsewhere and then bring the best and most fitting parts of those solutions home.