PITTSBURGH | Development Rundown II

[Gee Whiz]

Originally Posted by photoLith

Oh yeah, I did see that, I was thinking of Federal St more around the Mexican War Streets. Are there any renders of that development or how many stories it will be?

Here's an article and a rendering... http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=h...g&usg=AFQjCNGJxM_fUpq1XW99xOCq6dyP18mZ1g It is neither spectacular nor terrible.

[themaguffin]

I wouldn't call it suburban at all. It's not spectacular, but it's decent and a little taller than some of the other buildings.

[BrianTH]

Reminds me of DC, which I think is fine for that area.

[BrianTH]

The URA is all about the sunk cost fallacy:

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/ne...-foundation-bid-for-august.html?page=all

With only state Sen. Jim Ferlo voting against the measure, the board voted to enter into a grant agreement to provide $1,425,000 to the Pittsburgh Foundation, as well as to forgive repayment of $574,200 of debt owned to the URA by the August Wilson Center. The URA’s agreement is contingent on the Pittsburgh Foundation winning its bid to buy the center. . . .

Kevin Acklin, board chair and the city’s chief development officer, described the URA’s pledge of support as a defensive action. “The action we’re taking is to defend the investment we’ve made as an organization,” he said.

[Gee Whiz]

Speaking of new hotel proposals, I am still trying to pinpoint the location of Forza's 15 story Hampton Inn on W. Carson. In this aerial, will it be on the north side of W.Carson to the right and across the street from the Duquesne Incline in the old Lawrence Paint foundation or in the parcel on the south side of W. Carson in the parcel to the left of the Duquesne Incline where those grain elevators are being razed in this photo? https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Jack's,+E...7,-80.016705&fspn=0.002806,0.005595&z=18
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Jack's,+E...vvY_QNemAIoLUrF1Q&cbp=12,182.49,,1,-3.37

[markson33]

Pretty sure it's the Lawrence Paint site.

[Evergrey]

Screw these guys.

http://triblive.com/news/allegheny/6418510-74/south-tax-developers#axzz376gmZD4l

Developers push for extended tax breaks on South Side Works proposals

By Aaron Aupperlee
Thursday, July 10, 2014, 11:03 p.m.
Updated 1 hour ago


Developers of proposed apartment complexes and parking at two vacant South Side Works sites say they need tax incentives to make their projects happen.

Critics and other private developers say the projects have benefited from nearly 16 years of tax breaks as part of a tax increment financing district, and further tax breaks aren't necessary to build in the prospering South Side entertainment and shopping district.

“The rest of us in the marketplace do not get those kind of incentives. These guys are double-dipping,” said Michael Healy, owner of The Healy Co., South Side-based real estate development, apartment rental and home improvement company. “This market can stand on its own two legs.”

Sen. Jim Ferlo, D-Highland Park, a member of the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh board of directors, which has approved the sale of the parcels, said tax incentives ensure that properties achieve their highest potential.

Michigan-based Village Green Holdings LLC wants to build 262 apartments and a 559-space parking garage on two vacant lots at 26th and Sidney streets. A partnership named 3030 South Water LP — which includes Downtown developer Ralph A. Falbo Inc. — has proposed 56 apartment units and parking spaces for a lot along South Water Street between the Spring Hill Suites hotel and UPMC's Sport Medicine Facility.

The developers have told the URA that city tax breaks are needed. They will not seek tax relief from Allegheny County or the Pittsburgh Public School District, according to the URA.

Neither developer responded to requests for comment.


...

[DKNewYork]

Originally Posted by eschaton

It looks like the Carnegie Institute (e.g., the Warhol Museum) has owned Rosa Villa since 2006, when they bought the building from the owners for $360,000.

I can't say I understand why they have left it vacant for some time since then. One would presume they'd either knock it down to expand their small lot on the remainder of that block, or else refurbish it and make it an annex of the museum. I could see it being a cool little history museum of Allegheny City with a first-floor cafe.

Why does the Warhol need the surface lots anyway? I mean, it is literally kitty-corner to a city garage, which should have plenty of space in it on evenings and weekends there isn't a game (which is when most people would come anyway).

A Carnegie Magazine article a few years ago mentioned that the Rosa Villa had been acquired for future expansion, primarily additional gallery space as well as an enlarged restaurant/cafe. Per the article, it appears that many schools are unable or unwilling to schedule school trips to the Warhol because there is currently not enough space to feed lunch to the kids. The museum director at the time also talked of raising enough funds so the project could include a few apartments on the top of the annex to house visiting artists-in-residence. Not sure where this plan stands---I have read nothing further in the Carnegie Magazine.

[Private Dick]

Originally Posted by Evergrey

Screw these guys.

http://triblive.com/news/allegheny/6418510-74/south-tax-developers#axzz376gmZD4l

I wonder what Ferlo's cut is?

So the TIF paid and will pay for the infrastructure and now the developer doesn't want to pay taxes for who knows how many years until they are already in the black. This bullshit gives real estate "investment" a bad name. I'm sure the citizens of Pittsburgh would certainly like the opportunity to make "investments" like that. This is misuse of TIF and if allowed, threatens to ruin some of the major benefits of the TIF.

Unbelievable how this guy can look at himself in the mirror with his "I represent the little guy, the taxpayer" attitude... and then support policy time and again that limits the amount of property tax revenue the city can collect, at the expense of city residents.

[Austinlee]

Originally Posted by Evergrey

Screw these guys.

http://triblive.com/news/allegheny/6418510-74/south-tax-developers#axzz376gmZD4l

Michigan-based Village Green Holdings LLC wants to build 262 apartments and a 559-space parking garage

I love the rendering from Village Green but that is a big ass parking garage.

[Austinlee]

Originally Posted by Private Dick

I wonder what Ferlo's cut is?

Ferlo's Cut is the name of my favorite briss business in Squirrel Hill.

[Wave]

I know it's not a super popular project on this board, but the reality is that now that it's mostly up, the truth is that its not even remotely a disaster either.

In fact there are quite a few good things to say about this project. The building has the proper setbacks, the "streetwall" has been preserved and in fact works pretty well with the context of the street and area. The skin is a relatively tasteful all-brick design and there are some decent setbacks where necessary to create structural interest.

Also the three stories does not, for some reason, look as puny as I thought it would, particularly at street level, and the extra decorative faux floor above the 3rd story helps a little with massing.

And let's face it, this could've stayed a surface lot with Steeler and concert tailgaiters for the next decade or more if this was not built. Let's not forget the project that Walnut Capital and Stabile were going to build across from PNC park in the gaping surface lot there. That was ten years ago. Nothing ever happened on the site and we still have the dreaded surface lot there, sucking the life out of that parcel. So all in all I am pleasantly relieved that this has turned out ok.

Originally Posted by Steel City Scotty

While we are posting pictures, I did grab a few shots of North Shore Place I and II while on the North Shore attending the Three Rivers Regatta last Thursday.

I know it's not a project that a lot of people here are excited about, but I at least wanted to share what I have.





A view from behind (and farther away) shows how the new buildings get dwarfed by the Del Monte building across the street from them.

[eschaton]

My main issue with the North Shore building design is having those overly large openings in the brick on the first floor. The top portion of which will undoubtedly be filled by some sort of metal paneling. The new East Liberty mixed income housing is doing the exact same thing.

I know this sort of design is common in modern architecture, with the idea that you provide contrasting materials to "liven things up." However, it always looks to me like a mistake - like someone originally put in larger windows and a later building owner decided to shrink them down.

[WillyC]

I know we all talk about how important it is for the future growth of Pittsburgh that the areas/cities around us also grow and perform well.

In that case, it was nice to see Cleveland get a moral boost today.

[BrianTH]

I agree it looks OK, but that is still a huge waste of potential given that location.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

I also understand why people often compare Pittsburgh to European cities, particularly Central-European cities. The density and neighborhoods in the core are similar, the topography is similar, a lot of the prominent architecture is similar (thanks to immigrants) . . .

Random addendum:

http://www.industryweek.com/expansion-ma...an-companies-feel-home-pittsburgh?page=2

Attraction to the area takes many forms. “Physically the topography is very similar to Germany," explains Suzi Pegg, global marketing, Alleghany [sic] Pittsburgh Regional Alliance. “The same is true of the culture and even the architecture which feels familiar to the ex-pats. Many Germans feel so much at home here that many are happy to stay permanently.“

[Austinlee]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Random addendum:

http://www.industryweek.com/expansion-ma...an-companies-feel-home-pittsburgh?page=2

Ohio river industrial valley kinda = to Rhine river industry

[Minivan Werner]

The North Shore could essentially be an extension of downown, with progressively taller buildings pyramiding out from the river. Maybe the demand isn't there, or developers don't want to take the risk. But 3 stories just doesn't cut it for me. It's dwarfed by the Del Monte building, and that's just sad.

There's still plenty of room for some taller development in that area, though. But developers seem deathly afraid of anything taller than 12 stories outside of the triangle.

[Found5dollar]

I walked to the Frick today and snapped some pics of the new visitor center. They were unwrapping furniture so it should be open soon! It is nice, not quite as transparent as the renderings made it look, and the skylights along the center really screw with the thoughtfully designed roofline. Overall though, I think it is a winner and will make the experience at the Frick so much nicer.

I only had my phone so sorry for the sub-par photos.









EDIT: It looks like i was right! The new center opens next weekend there will be meet the architect sessions and free admission into Clayton. http://www.thefrickpittsburgh.org/OrientationCenter.php Also, it looks like the car and carriage museum is getting an expansion.

[Gee Whiz]

Originally Posted by Minivan Werner

The North Shore could essentially be an extension of downown, with progressively taller buildings pyramiding out from the river. Maybe the demand isn't there, or developers don't want to take the risk. But 3 stories just doesn't cut it for me. It's dwarfed by the Del Monte building, and that's just sad.

There's still plenty of room for some taller development in that area, though. But developers seem deathly afraid of anything taller than 12 stories outside of the triangle.

Don't think for a minute that Continental Real Estate have not been "yes" men to the desires of the Pittsburgh Steelers. It has been fifteen years since ground has been broken on these stadiums. They were given "exclusive rights" to develop the area between the stadiums. Fifteen years later, development is still being done via piecemeal despite having an open slate on ultra valuable property. The Steelers wanted to maximize parking revenues for as long as possible.