PITTSBURGH | Development Rundown II - Page 481

daviderik · #**9601** Posted **Sep 7, 2014, 7:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by AaronPGH

Had an amazing moment yesterday where we were driving down Penn Ave keeping exact pace with a really cute bike girl in the new bike lanes. I yelled out the window "ISN'T THIS FUCKING AWESOME?!?!?".... she gave me the biggest smile possible and replied "I can't believe this". These lanes are going over with the city so well.

Oh yeah, I saw that same girl. I ran her over with my car.

SkyPittsburgh · #**9602** Posted **Sep 7, 2014, 11:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by daviderik

Oh yeah, I saw that same girl. I ran her over with my car.

Now you're sounding like a Pittsburgher!

Austinlee · #**9603** Posted **Sep 8, 2014, 12:28 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyPittsburgh

Now you're sounding like a Pittsburgher!

Plot twist; daviderik is a far left democrat and he ran over Nancy Grace making him a national treasure.

Evergrey · #**9604** Posted **Sep 8, 2014, 12:59 AM**

BrianTH: Do you have any examples of what would be appropriate signage for the Drury Inn?

Evergrey · #**9605** Posted **Sep 8, 2014, 1:18 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by AaronPGH

Had an amazing moment yesterday where we were driving down Penn Ave keeping exact pace with a really cute bike girl in the new bike lanes. I yelled out the window "ISN'T THIS FUCKING AWESOME?!?!?".... she gave me the biggest smile possible and replied "I can't believe this". These lanes are going over with the city so well.

I feel like there's been a proliferation of bike businesses throughout city neighborhoods lately.

Peduto's aggressive bike platform is yet another reason why we need to maximize the residential development of flat, central, easily bikable neighborhoods like Strip District and the near North Side.

Jonboy1983 · #**9606** Posted **Sep 8, 2014, 1:21 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyPittsburgh

Now you're sounding like a Pittsburgher!

A Pittsburgher? Really? That sounds more comparable to someone from Philadelphia!

DKNewYork · #**9607** Posted **Sep 8, 2014, 2:04 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Found5dollar

At CMU today and they have started tearing up the parking lot in front of the University center for the new UC addition.

Excellent news. By spring of next year, Scott Hall will be nearly finished, the UC addition under way and the new biz school building about to be started.

Steel City Scotty · #**9608** Posted **Sep 8, 2014, 2:36 AM**

An interesting article written by Grant Oliphant, president of the Heinz Endowments.

http://www.nextpittsburgh.com/features/pittsburgh-best-hold-thought/

He discusses how, despite all of the good things happening in the city and the positive press coverage Pittsburgh is receiving, air pollution remains a major concern.

I'll admit that I'm one of those type of people who he mentions in the article who only want to talk about the good aspects of the city and tries to quiet people who point out flaws...but as someone planning to relocate to Allegheny County within the next year or two, long-term health is obviously a concern.

BrianTH · #**9609** Posted **Sep 8, 2014, 4:22 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evergrey

BrianTH: Do you have any examples of what would be appropriate signage for the Drury Inn?

So I'd start with one of the iconic Art Deco hotels as a paradigm:

The classic Art Deco approach would be horizontal, symmetric, and might involve metallic lettering directly applied to gray stone, and/or lit decorative awnings.

The Federal Reserve building is a bit of challenge since it doesn't have its entrance on the most prominent part. But I think you could start by putting some classy, subtle metallic lettering above the grated windows and below the figures:

Something like this:

Which might look like this (my own crude rendering):

Then they are calling for a canopy over the openings to the garage, where the main entrance would be located, so on that canopy you could do some more prominent lit signage, something like this:

Of course maybe a real architect/designer could do better, but that is the sort of general approach I think would be appropriate for a building like this.

TBone7281 · #**9610** Posted **Sep 9, 2014, 1:43 AM**

Both Tom Ayoob and the old Pittsburgh Banana Co. buildings in the Strip have been demolished. It's kind of weird to be able to see the church from this location now.

BrianTH · #**9611** Posted **Sep 9, 2014, 12:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TBone7281

It's kind of weird to be able to see the church from this location now.

I didn't realize how attractive it was from that angle. We really need to feature it as the focal point of European-style square.

BrianTH · #**9612** Posted **Sep 9, 2014, 12:57 PM**

Weldin's is moving--I wonder if this is in part so the PHLF can fulfill their womens'-clothing-cluster vision for that part of Wood:

http://www.post-gazette.com/business/201...ing-to-Grant-Street/stories/201409090050

And Apple is looking for new, bigger space as it leaves its CMU space:

http://www.post-gazette.com/business/201...sence-in-Pittsburgh/stories/201409090075

Although something in Oakland or East Liberty is an obvious choice, I think they could make a cool anchor tenant for the Union Trust Building, which is rebranding as more creative space:

http://www.post-gazette.com/business/201...Building-s-grandeur/stories/201405150268

And in fact, I wonder if that could be a good place to also locate an Apple Store.

themaguffin · #**9613** Posted **Sep 9, 2014, 2:44 PM**

I think that Apple in East Liberty makes sense. These companies don't tend to go to downtown offices and going to East Liberty would enhance it as a tech cluster etc.

TBone7281 · #**9614** Posted **Sep 9, 2014, 3:50 PM**

Did anyone catch what the "Major Announcement for Pittsburgh's Lower Hill District" was? There was a streamed press conference at 11am but I was in a meeting and missed it.

TBone7281 · #**9615** Posted **Sep 9, 2014, 4:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TBone7281

Did anyone catch what the "Major Announcement for Pittsburgh's Lower Hill District" was? There was a streamed press conference at 11am but I was in a meeting and missed it.

Literally, the only thing I see is "Mayor William Peduto: Connect the Upper, Middle, and Lower Hill District..."

http://www.wtae.com/news/live-stream-at-...ill-district-major-announcement/27951960

I'm hoping they have a better article in works...

Don't Be That Guy · #**9616** Posted **Sep 9, 2014, 5:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by themaguffin

I think that Apple in East Liberty makes sense. These companies don't tend to go to downtown offices and going to East Liberty would enhance it as a tech cluster etc.

East Liberty is currently low on available office space, and what is available is expensive for the class and amenities. Someone like Apple who needs 20,000 SF or more might be the catalyst for constructing a new building in the neighborhood.

Failing that Apple could always buy the old Morningside school building from the URA.
Morningside School Ripe for New Life

DKNewYork · #**9617** Posted **Sep 9, 2014, 6:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TBone7281

Literally, the only thing I see is "Mayor William Peduto: Connect the Upper, Middle, and Lower Hill District..."

http://www.wtae.com/news/live-stream-at-...ill-district-major-announcement/27951960

I'm hoping they have a better article in works...

I also couldn't find anything about the announcement for an hour or so but here it is:

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2...er-Civic-Arena-site/stories/201409090208

Austinlee · #**9618** Posted **Sep 9, 2014, 7:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DKNewYork

I also couldn't find anything about the announcement for an hour or so but here it is:

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2...er-Civic-Arena-site/stories/201409090208

Wow. Just got done reading that and here are my thoughts.

1.) This article is LONG on details; The opposite of vague. Lots and lots of specifics.

2.) Seems like most parties involved had to compromise. They say that a good business deal is when all parties are forced to compromise.

3.) 1,100 units of residential is substantial. If that amounts to around 2,000 new "downtown" residents then that will be a FIFTY % increase in the downtown population which was at 3,629 people as of the 2010 census.

4.) If they have given them another year till Oct 2015 to start development, then figure another 1-2 last minute extensions and construction work will probably actually start in the first half of 2016.

Austinlee · #**9619** Posted **Sep 9, 2014, 7:46 PM**

I'd also like to say that I have a suspicion that this development is going to feel somewhat similar to the Southside Works.
Just take a look!

Civic Arena redevelopment: "28 acres to include 1,100 units of housing, 500,000 to 600,000 square feet of office space and 250,000 square feet of retail"

Southside Works: "34 acres, 700,000 sq ft office, 330,000 sq ft retail/restauarants/shops. 400 units of residential"

themaguffin · #**9620** Posted **Sep 9, 2014, 7:54 PM**

Yeah long on details in terms of numbers and percentages, but not obviously no details on design etc.

Also, the emphasis on subsidized housing is frustrating. I know that Crawford Square was successful and there is good in dedicating some % of units to make them affordable, but I don't expect such units to be moderately priced.

Again, nice concept, but the actual emphasis should be making the most out of the land.