PITTSBURGH | Development Rundown II - Page 544

photoLith · #**10861** Posted **Dec 31, 2014, 2:06 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Private Dick

I think the Oakmont bridge is the newest bridge in the area. Though it's probably still UC??

I hope they didn't knock the old one down -- it would make a great pedestrian, bike trail bridge.

I drive that way every day for work and as of yet they haven't torn it down, I'm afraid they will though. It's a beautiful bridge.

Wiz Khalifa · #**10862** Posted **Dec 31, 2014, 3:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianTH

That's a replacement not an entirely new bridge, however, which I believe can avoid a lot of those additional costs.

Looks like the old one is going to be demolished (which is too bad):

http://triblive.com/neighborhoods/youral...-74/bridge-project-oakmont#axzz2hn20C6wk

They are going to build that uninspiring piece of crap and tear down a perfectly good looking historic bridge that could easily be re-purposed into a fantastic future bike trail connection? Ugh... my hatred of the backwards short-sighted fools at PennDot grows every day.

Evergrey · #**10863** Posted **Dec 31, 2014, 5:19 PM**

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/heres-w...ent-this-year-2014-12-30?dist=lcountdown

BrianTH · #**10864** Posted **Dec 31, 2014, 5:49 PM**

Kinda funny measure:

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/...rly-21-billion-since-2013-300014393.html

Quote:

Total rent paid is calculated by first estimating the number of renter households in 2014 in each metro based on 2013 metro-level data and 2014 national data. We then take the sum of all the monthly Zillow Rent Indices in 2014 and multiply it by the estimated number of households. Forecasting was used to calculate value change during December 2014. Lastly, results are then scaled by a rental stock adjustment factor which controls for differences in the footprint between the rental stock and the total housing stock.

But I don't doubt total rent growth is in fact strong locally.

Austinlee · #**10865** Posted **Dec 31, 2014, 6:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evergrey

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/heres-w...ent-this-year-2014-12-30?dist=lcountdown

Working right now as a full time leasing agent I can confirm this. Rents have been rising considerably and noticeably even in the last 6 months. Our average rent price right now for my companies 70 or so vacancies is now at about $900 per month across all rental sizes.

Austinlee · #**10866** Posted **Dec 31, 2014, 6:37 PM**

Great shot of Duquesne University. Wish it were easier to take this angle.

Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/evad310/8389704316/

SkyPittsburgh · #**10867** Posted **Dec 31, 2014, 7:54 PM**

I took a bike ride through the Chateau Neighborhood of Pittsburgh the other day. I always wish that area was of the same developmental value that other areas are. It's essentially a blank slate for developers, with great access to the river, as well as the north shore, "Amenities." The only problem that stands in the way is PA-65. However there was talk, after the movepgh plan, of doing the equivalent of the, "Big Dig" to that area, minus the tunnel.

They would use the existing 2-3 lane streets (https://www.google.com/maps/place/40%C2%...mH-nBngevYuuvCt0dg!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0) on the side of the road to take the traffic, re-connect the side streets, and include bike and pedestrian infrastructure. Looking at a PA-Traffic map, that road is used, in one day, about 32,000 cars per day (ftp://ftp.dot.state.pa.us/public/pdf/BPR...ffic_Volume/County_Maps/Allegheny_tv.PDF) , which, with some traffic reduction and calming, could be accommodated by those roads.

Minivan Werner · #**10868** Posted **Dec 31, 2014, 10:50 PM**

Certainly Chateau (and Manchester) could benefit from better connections between the two neighborhoods. There really aren't any right now, they're basically separated by a mile-long wall. Reconnecting a few of the streets with underpasses would make Chateau a lot less isolated, which might encourage development.

Jonboy1983 · #**10869** Posted **Dec 31, 2014, 11:02 PM**

The more I think about it, the more I wish they'd just left the Northern Abutment of the West End Bridge alone. That PA-65 is an eyesore and is doing absolutely no favors at all for the Chateau and Manchester neighborhoods. I have developed a vision that would involve a complete re-engineering of the West End Bridge, PA-65, as well as the surrounding surface streets to make that a more enticing area for development and bikes/pedestrians. I also suggest extending the LRT line down the middle of where PA-65 is currently...

photoLith · #**10870** Posted **Jan 1, 2015, 5:13 AM**

Pittsburgh has the dumbest New Years ever fireworks ever. You can't see them, unless you're like 3 blocks away from the high mark tower. I along with hundreds of others were gathered on the north shore logically thinking that the fireworks would be shot over the river. You couldn't even see the fireworks display as the fireworks didn't even peak the skyscrapers downtown. Pretty stupid.

BrianTH · #**10871** Posted **Jan 1, 2015, 5:56 AM**

Confirmation the new Downtown grocery store (slated to open in February) is going to focus on things not carried by the convenience stores:

http://www.post-gazette.com/business/dev...Downtown-Pittsburgh/stories/201501010092

GeneW · #**10872** Posted **Jan 1, 2015, 6:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by photoLith

Pittsburgh has the dumbest New Years ever fireworks ever. You can't see them, unless you're like 3 blocks away from the high mark tower. I along with hundreds of others were gathered on the north shore logically thinking that the fireworks would be shot over the river. You couldn't even see the fireworks display as the fireworks didn't even peak the skyscrapers downtown. Pretty stupid.

Yeah, we did the same thing last year. You can only seem them if you're actually downtown.

photoLith · #**10873** Posted **Jan 1, 2015, 8:17 PM**

DSC_2129 by photolitherland, on Flickr
Photo I took a few days ago of Carnegie Mellon, looks like their new building is almost done.

Gilamonster · #**10874** Posted **Jan 1, 2015, 10:05 PM**

Pittsburgh continues to rank high on numerous national lists. Conde Nast Traveler ranked Pittsburgh 3rd in the top 15 places to go in the world for 2015. Yes ..."world". The article also mentions that Pittsburgh is ranked 12th in the USA on Business Insider's "The 15 Hottest U.S. Cities for 2015" and also Pittsburgh placed No. 5 on a USA Today readers' list of 10 best American riverfronts. A few restaurants in Pittsburgh even came in fairly high in the highly respected Playboy list of 101 Best Breakfasts of America. Coca Cafe and Pamela's made the list. I'm sure they'll want to use that info in future advertising campaigns......

http://triblive.com/news/allegheny/7477107-74/pittsburgh-list-2015#axzz3NbnR7QOJ

Austinlee · #**10875** Posted **Jan 2, 2015, 1:16 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by photoLith

Pittsburgh has the dumbest New Years ever fireworks ever. You can't see them, unless you're like 3 blocks away from the high mark tower. I along with hundreds of others were gathered on the north shore logically thinking that the fireworks would be shot over the river. You couldn't even see the fireworks display as the fireworks didn't even peak the skyscrapers downtown. Pretty stupid.

Yeah, those are tiny compared to other downtown fireworks displays. I watched them from my bedroom window and they weren't really high enough to see either.

The fireworks for Light Up Night were GREAT. Also 4th of July fireworks are always very good. Seems like NYE they are stingy.

Austinlee · #**10876** Posted **Jan 2, 2015, 1:19 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by photoLith

DSC_2129 by photolitherland, on Flickr
Photo I took a few days ago of Carnegie Mellon, looks like their new building is almost done.

I commented on your FB page on this photo too but this is a wonderful shot. I didn't even know this angle was possible from the top of the Cathedral of Learning.

On another note, hard to believe their new building on stilt supports cost almost $100 million!

photoLith · #**10877** Posted **Jan 2, 2015, 1:38 AM**

You have to open a window at the top and lean out of it, it's kinda sketchy.

Urbana · #**10878** Posted **Jan 2, 2015, 1:48 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Austinlee

On another note, hard to believe their new building on stilt supports cost almost $100 million!

I would guess most of that price-tag was spent on cleanroom infrastructure.

GeneW · #**10879** Posted **Jan 2, 2015, 3:27 AM**

Interesting difference in perspective on Pittsburgh real estate from a national blog:

Totally Affordable Urban Homes in 'Second Tier' Cities

Quote:

This recently remodeled townhome in the hipster haven of the Lawrenceville district dates from 1910, and is asking $299,000 for three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a small but serviceable backyard.

I'm pretty sure that most locals, myself included, look at $300K prices in Lawrenceville with horror and amazement but Curbed thinks that they're an example of affordability.

BrianTH · #**10880** Posted **Jan 2, 2015, 4:04 PM**

It is all relative--it has been a long time since a house in decent shape in a nice central neighborhood would go for so little in many coastal cities.

But hopefully we don't keep heading down the path blazed by those cities. With new builds necessarily costing around that much, it makes sense for nicely renovated older home to get up in that level as well. But if they start going way up above that cost, it is a sign there is some sort of supply constraint (as is true in most coastal cities).