PITTSBURGH | Development Rundown II - Page 449

Found5dollar · #**8961** Posted **Jul 16, 2014, 2:38 PM**

Tomorrow the Auto Zone at the former Babyland site gos up before the zoning board of appeals. They are asking for a lot of what I would say extreme deviations from what the area is currently zoned.

http://apps.pittsburghpa.gov/dcp/schedule53/agenda-53-600.pdf

The hearing is at 10:10am downtown at 200 Ross St.

The indie go go campaign against it has raised just over 2000 dollars.
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/keep-...babyland-grow-into-something-better#home

eschaton · #**8962** Posted **Jul 16, 2014, 2:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Private Dick

Ayoob and Benkovitz... two more great names relegated to Strip District history. It would be nice to see those names carried on in some way with the new retail development planned for the site.

Wait, what is the new retail development planned for the site?

Found5dollar · #**8963** Posted **Jul 16, 2014, 2:51 PM**

I was lookign at other upcomign zoning board schedules and found the Poli's redevelopment. They are looking for 7 stories/90ft.
http://apps.pittsburghpa.gov/dcp/schedule53/agenda-53-601.pdf

GeneW · #**8964** Posted **Jul 16, 2014, 2:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evergrey

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2...e-in-Strip-District/stories/201407160072

I really need to learn to stop reading the comments in the P-G.

Evergrey · #**8965** Posted **Jul 16, 2014, 2:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneW

I really need to learn to stop reading the comments in the P-G.

GeneW · #**8966** Posted **Jul 16, 2014, 3:00 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evergrey

They're generally 90% dumb and uninformed.

Private Dick · #**8967** Posted **Jul 16, 2014, 3:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urbana

How do you figure? It seems to me that almost none of then retailers are leaving. There are only residents coming - hopefully livening up the streets.

The wholesalers have been moving out for years, which is understandable. I'm not really talking about retailers on Penn. Was more thinking about all the history of the Strip (like the Ayoob story which Evergrey posted above) that is often all too easily cleaned away when new "urban loft condos" and "mixed-use retail" developments spring up. Seeing names like Ayoob and Benkovitz on buildings in the Strip speak directly to the neighborhood's and Pittsburgh's heritage. To me, that's what makes the Strip interesting... that it was (and to a very small extent still is) the city's marketplace, it's international place of exchange that all prominent cities have or at least once had. Finding a suitable and non-tacky manner of keeping some of that history alive is important, I think.

I'm all for Strip development and revitalization and I love the idea of places like Wigle and others establishing themselves there, and residents livening up the area; I just hope the million dollar condos and apartments don't water down the flavor, so to speak -- though I think that is somewhat inevitable.

Private Dick · #**8968** Posted **Jul 16, 2014, 3:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschaton

Wait, what is the new retail development planned for the site?

I don't know exactly. I do know that Rugby Realty had a retail development planned for the site awhile ago. They also discussed a hotel... and there was talk of redeveloping and integrating the existing buildings, but that seems to have been decided against.

http://www.cussat.com/wp-content/uploads...einvigorating-a-Pittsburgh-Tradition.pdf

Evergrey · #**8969** Posted **Jul 16, 2014, 3:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Private Dick

I'm not really talking about retailers on Penn. Was more thinking about all the history of the Strip (like the Ayoob story which Evergrey posted above) that is often all too easily cleaned away when new "urban loft condos" and "mixed-use retail" developments spring up.

Such as Otto Milk and the Cork Factory?

Private Dick · #**8970** Posted **Jul 16, 2014, 4:00 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evergrey

Such as Otto Milk and the Cork Factory?

I was thinking more of the Ayoob Centre at Benkovitz Place.

markson33 · #**8971** Posted **Jul 16, 2014, 5:00 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Private Dick

I don't know exactly. I do know that Rugby Realty had a retail development planned for the site awhile ago. They also discussed a hotel... and there was talk of redeveloping and integrating the existing buildings, but that seems to have been decided against.

http://www.cussat.com/wp-content/uploads...einvigorating-a-Pittsburgh-Tradition.pdf

I believe Rugby has scrapped that plan. When it gets developed I would be surprised if it isn't something with greater mass.

Private Dick · #**8972** Posted **Jul 16, 2014, 5:15 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by markson33

I believe Rugby has scrapped that plan. When it gets developed I would be surprised if it isn't something with greater mass.

I hope so. Here is what was proposed:

Since Rugby seems to have a big interest in multi-story office space in Pittsburgh, maybe it will end up being something tall...

BrianTH · #**8973** Posted **Jul 16, 2014, 5:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Private Dick

I hope so. Here is what was proposed

Dude, not right after lunch! I need a bucket.

WillyC · #**8974** Posted **Jul 16, 2014, 6:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneW

I really need to learn to stop reading the comments in the P-G.

I try and fail. I guess I can't help but see what ridiculous ideas suburbanites have to post about how to 'fix' the city.

I mean, as far as they are concerned, I run one hell of a 40 time home each night to avoid the multiple stabbings and muggings.

The sad thing is probably in thirty years we will have to listen to them talk about how dilapidated the suburbs have become and how unfair it was the city got all this attention.

eschaton · #**8975** Posted **Jul 16, 2014, 6:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillyC

I try and fail. I guess I can't help but see what ridiculous ideas suburbanites have to post about how to 'fix' the city.

I mean, as far as they are concerned, I run one hell of a 40 time home each night to avoid the multiple stabbings and muggings.

The sad thing is probably in thirty years we will have to listen to them talk about how dilapidated the suburbs have become and how unfair it was the city got all this attention.

I love the comment about the Strip District not having a bank when there's a PNC branch right on the 2000 block of Penn. Obviously not even a "weekend warrior" of the Strip.

Or the people who say the Strip has nothing but "expensive organic" food. Do they realize how much money you can save shopping in shady Asian groceries?

photoLith · #**8976** Posted **Jul 16, 2014, 7:21 PM**

People in the suburbs and small towns surrounding Pittsburgh are like deathly afraid of the city and rarely ever go into, never seen anything like it living in any other city and Ive lived in lots of cities. I work with this one lady at my job who lives in Mt. Pleasant and I told her I live in the city and she was like, "Oh my, arent you scared of getting shot? I watch the local news and all it is is stabbings and shootings, I never go into the city except in the middle of the day, no way would I ever stay there at night". God these people are so ridiculous.

Urbana · #**8977** Posted **Jul 16, 2014, 7:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by photoLith

People in the suburbs and small towns surrounding Pittsburgh are like deathly afraid of the city and rarely ever go into, never seen anything like it living in any other city and Ive lived in lots of cities. I work with this one lady at my job who lives in Mt. Pleasant and I told her I live in the city and she was like, "Oh my, arent you scared of getting shot? I watch the local news and all it is is stabbings and shootings, I never go into the city except in the middle of the day, no way would I ever stay there at night". God these people are so ridiculous.

Not to mention the wholesale denial of any upward momentum in formerly bad neighborhoods. It is as though the Pittsburgh region (outside the city, at least) is the only place in the country with no confidence in the Pittsburgh region.

Evergrey · #**8978** Posted **Jul 16, 2014, 7:52 PM**

While there are many clueless suburbanites, exurbanites and nearby rural folk... who are over-represented on newspaper comment sections (check any city's newspaper comment section... it's the same crap)... IMO... Pittsburgh region people embrace the urban core much more than a lot of other metropolitan regions (try nearby Cleveland's poisonous suburb-city relationship for a stark contrast).

I credit this to the fact that jobs and amenities have remained remarkably centralized in the City of Pittsburgh despite the nationwide trend of regional diffusion through sprawl. Pittsburgh region's population has sprawled as well... but the City of Pittsburgh has unquestionably remained the economic core. The City of Pittsburgh retains most of the best paying jobs in the region, and has one of the highest job densities in the nation. Thousands upon thousands of suburbanites stream into the city every day to earn a living.

The City of Pittsburgh has almost all of the best restaurants, best bars, museums, sports teams, music venues, cultural events, etc... so suburbanites are constantly streaming into Downtown and various city neighborhoods for entertainment and adventure.

I very rarely encounter a suburban/rural Pittsburgher who cringes at the idea of me living in Deutschtown. I usually get enthusiastic "that's so cool!" responses. Most Pittsburgh suburbanites are well-conditioned to the urban core. But hey... Mt. Pleasant is way the heck out there... so if you want to use that as your example...

eschaton · #**8979** Posted **Jul 16, 2014, 8:10 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evergrey

While there are many clueless suburbanites, exurbanites and nearby rural folk... who are over-represented on newspaper comment sections (check any city's newspaper comment section... it's the same crap)... IMO... Pittsburgh region people embrace the urban core much more than a lot of other metropolitan regions (try nearby Cleveland's poisonous suburb-city relationship for a stark contrast).

I credit this to the fact that jobs and amenities have remained remarkably centralized in the City of Pittsburgh despite the nationwide trend of regional diffusion through sprawl. Pittsburgh region's population has sprawled as well... but the City of Pittsburgh has unquestionably remained the economic core. The City of Pittsburgh retains most of the best paying jobs in the region, and has one of the highest job densities in the nation. Thousands upon thousands of suburbanites stream into the city every day to earn a living.

The City of Pittsburgh has almost all of the best restaurants, best bars, museums, sports teams, music venues, cultural events, etc... so suburbanites are constantly streaming into Downtown and various city neighborhoods for entertainment and adventure.

I very rarely encounter a suburban/rural Pittsburgher who cringes at the idea of me living in Deutschtown. I usually get enthusiastic "that's so cool!" responses. Most Pittsburgh suburbanites are well-conditioned to the urban core. But hey... Mt. Pleasant is way the heck out there... so if you want to use that as your example...

Add to this that the...racial dynamics...you see in other rust belt cities don't apply here. Pittsburgh never got even close to plurality black, has never elected a black mayor, and has never had a black majority on city council. Pittsburgh also had much more limited white flight than the rest of the rust belt. Thus suburbanites might complain about the high taxes and "machine politics" of the city, but there isn't the same thinly veiled racism/terror of the city due to perceived blackness you see elsewhere.

I also think that the attitudes regarding the city for the "suburban" population vary dramatically depending upon income. The upper middle class tends to like the city as a destination, and might even consider living in the city if it wasn't for the "high taxes" and "bad schools." But as you go further down the income spectrum, people seem to get more provincial in general, and are much less likely to come into Pittsburgh for any sort of event at all. They also don't tend to have jobs downtown, so they don't come into the city for work. I'm sure you hear a lot more about how bad the city is in Brentwood than in McCandless is what I'm saying.

DKNewYork · #**8980** Posted **Jul 16, 2014, 9:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneW

They're generally 90% dumb and uninformed.

Only 90%? You're being generous...