PITTSBURGH | Development Rundown II

[ShooFlyPie]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Me too. If there was easy access to the Mon River trails from Regent Square, I'd at least try out bike commuting Downtown. But the idea of fighting rush hour traffic makes me too nervous.

Forbes ave through Frick into Squirrel Hill (bike lane) down Greenfield ave is not that bad in anyway for a beginner. I ride the road up Greenfield ave, but a beginner can take the sidewalk there. Going down Greenfield one can easily go faster than 35 MPH, and you just take the lane.

It just takes doing it. I started city riding in Squirrel Hill scared and timid. Two months later I was taking the lane down fifth ave doing the speed of cars. Now I commute to Monroeville from the city every day I possibly can.

Commuting all around the metro on bike lanes, sharrowed lanes, or cycleable roads is easy to figure out eventually. Google Maps has great directions for planning trips. Don't let the idea of fighting cars discourage you. It really isn't bad at all once you start. It is more of a fear on rural suburban roads for me than the city. In the city cars are usually stuck behind other cars going only the same speed most people can walk.

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by Wiz Khalifa

The Slopes have no historic districts, or even a contiguous development pattern. The modern design is needed to take advantage of the fantastic views that will be available at this location, perched on the side of a cliff.

I wasn't talking about just the Slopes, but the Flats as well. Even putting aside how many of the new townhouses have front-facing garages which take up their first floor (ick!) there seems to be no concern for the general architectural vernacular of the area.

Originally Posted by Wiz Khalifa

I think that Lawrenceville is getting a pretty nice mix of both faux-historic and modern developments. I don't think that there are any historic districts in the neighborhood to adhere to either.

No historic districts yet, but PreservePGH recommended that Lower/Central Lawrenceville be named a historic district. And I can't think of any infill, built or planned, which is faux-historic - although the Doughboy townhouses at least tried to ape the massing of Victorian rowhouses.

[AaronPGH]

Originally Posted by Austinlee

Great article from city paper. The Humanaut crew and VIA have made Pittsburgh's cutting edge music scene something special.

[Don't Be That Guy]

Originally Posted by eschaton

I wasn't talking about just the Slopes, but the Flats as well. Even putting aside how many of the new townhouses have front-facing garages which take up their first floor (ick!) there seems to be no concern for the general architectural vernacular of the area.

I think it's more of a matter of taste for the developers and the architects they use. Some prefer more traditional approaches to design while others like Sota, who does a lot in the South Side, tend to favor more contemporary designs.

The front facing garages and multiple curb cuts on a block for new construction is a problem all over developing areas of the city. Unfortunately there is no broad policy on how to deal with this, and the zoning code requires one off street parking space per house so it will continue.

No historic districts yet, but PreservePGH recommended that Lower/Central Lawrenceville be named a historic district. And I can't think of any infill, built or planned, which is faux-historic - although the Doughboy townhouses at least tried to ape the massing of Victorian rowhouses.

I bet neighborhood residents and developers will fight any attempt to create a historic district that encompasses areas beyond Butler Street.

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by Don't Be That Guy

I bet neighborhood residents and developers will fight any attempt to create a historic district that encompasses areas beyond Butler Street.

Pittsburgh has pretty weak historical district rules. They do not force new buildings to be built in a historic style, nor do they mean existing remuddled buildings need to be fixed. It just requires that if facade work is done on a historic building, the existing historic elements must be retained.

The biggest effect this might have on homeowners (or flippers, less so developers) would be on the rare houses with old wood windows, where the property owner would not be allowed to replace them with vinyl. But for the most part (although I know one recent exception) no one is going to rip a historic facade off a house and put up something modern these days.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by Wiz Khalifa

It's right before the railyard, crossing under the Glenwood bridge involves carrying your bike over 5 RR tracks to get to 2nd ave.

So you always have to do that, correct? My understanding is that is illegal (although not policed), and also sometimes that trains are sitting there. If so, I wouldn't want that to be my commuting route.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by ShooFlyPie

Forbes ave through Frick into Squirrel Hill (bike lane) down Greenfield ave is not that bad in anyway for a beginner. I ride the road up Greenfield ave, but a beginner can take the sidewalk there. Going down Greenfield one can easily go faster than 35 MPH, and you just take the lane. It just takes doing it.

That is one of the routes I have considered and rejected, both for safety reasons and also because it irks me to have to go up from my neighborhood before going back down to Downtown, and vice-versa. But maybe you are right and I should just try it.

[BrianTH]

Peduto and Fitzgerald want to restart the process of trying to develop a convention center hotel:

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2...o-convention-center/stories/201410030099

We'll see. Converting an existing building to a 200+ room hotel is one thing, building a new 500+ room hotel is another, but perhaps this time will be different.

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Peduto and Fitzgerald want to restart the process of trying to develop a convention center hotel:

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2...o-convention-center/stories/201410030099

We'll see. Converting an existing building to a 200+ room hotel is one thing, building a new 500+ room hotel is another, but perhaps this time will be different.

I take it the hotel was supposed to straddle the Penn Avenue/10th Street intersection, and develop those two surface lots? Filling in those would make a big difference in terms of the feel of the intersection. I hope even if the hotel is ultimately unfeasible they'll consider selling off the parcels for redevelopment. The Westin has really bad streetside integration regardless, but it would be nice to push the Cultural District's density a tiny bit.

[Wiz Khalifa]

Originally Posted by eschaton

I wasn't talking about just the Slopes, but the Flats as well. Even putting aside how many of the new townhouses have front-facing garages which take up their first floor (ick!) there seems to be no concern for the general architectural vernacular of the area.

I agree about the flats, they are putting up some vinyl sided suburban looking apartment buildings on 27th and larkins for instance. Although part of me is starting to like the interesting contrast with the surrounding urban and historic setting.

[TBone7281]

Originally Posted by ShooFlyPie

Prior to the lanes on Penn I rode right in the middle the SAME SPEED as the cages in front of me without impeding a single person. I stop at all lights and stop signs.

Then I commend you as one of the vast minority.

Originally Posted by ShooFlyPie

Would be nice to have a few protected lanes on my commute from Greenfield to Monroeville dealing with suburbanites on Rodi road who want to run over a "doucher cyclist" trying to live his life, get to work, or back to his family. Their lives aren't important anyways.

If you're travelling UP Rodi Road (towards Frankstown) on a bike, I fear for your safety. The road isn't really wide or straight enough for safe passing of a cyclist, and I doubt you'd be able to maintain enough speed going up the hill to not draw the ire of Penn Hills travelers. Just because it's legal doesn't necessarily make it a good idea.

One of my co-workers used to bike in from Churchhill but eventually decided he didn't like going through Wilkinsburg, etc. I think he parks at the Waterfront and rides the river trail in most of the way now.

[Austinlee]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

So you always have to do that, correct? My understanding is that is illegal (although not policed), and also sometimes that trains are sitting there. If so, I wouldn't want that to be my commuting route.

Sounds dangerous. Be careful cyclists!

[Austinlee]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Peduto and Fitzgerald want to restart the process of trying to develop a convention center hotel:

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2...o-convention-center/stories/201410030099

We'll see. Converting an existing building to a 200+ room hotel is one thing, building a new 500+ room hotel is another, but perhaps this time will be different.

I personally think it will happen EVENTUALLY. Right now, it doesn't feel very imminent but perhaps in the next 5-8 yrs there will be an announcement?

Originally Posted by eschaton

I take it the hotel was supposed to straddle the Penn Avenue/10th Street intersection, and develop those two surface lots? Filling in those would make a big difference in terms of the feel of the intersection. I hope even if the hotel is ultimately unfeasible they'll consider selling off the parcels for redevelopment. The Westin has really bad streetside integration regardless, but it would be nice to push the Cultural District's density a tiny bit.

Agreed. That would really fill in that intersection/entrance in such a fulfilling way.

[Minivan Werner]

The original convention center hotel plans were pretty cool. 2 half cylinders, one on each side of 10th Ave. I think it was around 15 stories tall, so it popped up behind the DLLCC nicely.

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by Minivan Werner

The original convention center hotel plans were pretty cool. 2 half cylinders, one on each side of 10th Ave. I think it was around 15 stories tall, so it popped up behind the DLLCC nicely.

I hope the flat side of the half cylinders faced on Penn Avenue. That sounds like a horrendous street wall.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by eschaton

I take it the hotel was supposed to straddle the Penn Avenue/10th Street intersection, and develop those two surface lots? Filling in those would make a big difference in terms of the feel of the intersection. I hope even if the hotel is ultimately unfeasible they'll consider selling off the parcels for redevelopment. The Westin has really bad streetside integration regardless, but it would be nice to push the Cultural District's density a tiny bit.

Agreed all around. And in fact I don't have a problem with a public subsidy for a hotel, which the hotel developers have always demanded--as long as it mostly comes from the state.

[TBone7281]

Originally Posted by eschaton

I take it the hotel was supposed to straddle the Penn Avenue/10th Street intersection, and develop those two surface lots? Filling in those would make a big difference in terms of the feel of the intersection. I hope even if the hotel is ultimately unfeasible they'll consider selling off the parcels for redevelopment. The Westin has really bad streetside integration regardless, but it would be nice to push the Cultural District's density a tiny bit.

That seems like a really small area for a 500 room hotel unless they were thinking of building pretty tall. 20+ stories, maybe. I suppose it depends on who owns what, but they may be looking at the big surface lots across 11th. Connecting to the convention center would be a bigger challenge there just due to the railroad being in the way as well though. Straddling 10th/Penn would make the most sense if they can actually pull it off.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by TBone7281

That seems like a really small area for a 500 room hotel unless they were thinking of building pretty tall.

That was definitely the site. But I don't think I have seen the renderings referenced above, which might help explain how they intended to do it.

[PITairport]

Here is the design of the original convention center hotel. Like the convention center, it looks nice on the river side, but potentially not so much on the city side.

[IMG][/IMG]

[AaronPGH]

Again, I'd love to see apartments and/or office components added to the hotel tower. You could do something pretty major right there if you went mixed-use. Possibly bigger than Tower @ PNC. Does PMC ever dabble in something like that?