PITTSBURGH | Development Rundown II

[Wally G]

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/ZCd1xZt.Jpg[/img][IMG]

[Wally G]

I like these new renderings better because things don't look so black and white. Sorry guys for the small picture.

[Wally G]

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/HiuPGiA[ing][/IMG]

[Wally G]

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/r8msjKb.jpg[img][/IMG]

[BrianTH]

I like it! Strong streetwall effect, no silly cornice, and I continue to like how the mini-bays suggest smaller buildings of historic scale. I also really like that corner treatment on the upper floors.

Overhead:

[Wally G]

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/UVpHzBx[img][/IMG]

[Wally G]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

I like it! Strong streetwall effect, no silly cornice, and I continue to like how the mini-bays suggest smaller buildings of historic scale. I also really like that corner treatment on the upper floors.

Overhead:

I really agree with the building not having a cornice even though some may argue it should have one. Since all the older buildings have them but I think it give the building a sleek look to it and I love the colors. I was never excited about this project now I am. I see you got the image on the page thanks for that.

[Wally G]

I also like how the overhead view shows the second floor terrace that was not in the original plans until the historical facades was added.

[qwho]

Originally Posted by Private Dick

Yeah... are they serious with that parking garage?

Maybe this was their inspiration:


Screenshot from google earth

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by Wally G

I really agree with the building not having a cornice even though some may argue it should have one. Since all the older buildings have them but I think it give the building a sleek look to it and I love the colors. I was never excited about this project now I am.

Agreed. It looks contemporary but still has some subtle aspects that help it work in context. The problem I have with most cornices these days is they look like cheap add-ons. To the extent that is supposed to add a classic or historic element, for me it works about as well as calling your establishment "Ye Olde Fudge Shoppe (free wifi)".

I see you got the image on the page thanks for that.

No problem. Walnut had hotlinkable versions so that made it easy. I think your links have an extra "img" in them, but imgur can be tricky in general.

I also like how the overhead view shows the second floor terrace that was not in the original plans until the historical facades was added.

I agree that is cool, and they are doing the same thing in the proposed Garden Theater project. That does seem like a huge step up from a simple facadectomy.

[Private Dick]

Solid project. If the materials are high quality, this will be a really nice addition to East Liberty's main intersection.

[Wiz Khalifa]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

I agree that is cool, and they are doing the same thing in the proposed Garden Theater project. That does seem like a huge step up from a simple facadectomy.

This is preserving facades done right, I still wish that Point Park wasn't so clueless and arrogant and ended up doing something similar with the Forbes facades.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by Wiz Khalifa

This is preserving facades done right, I still wish that Point Park wasn't so clueless and arrogant and ended up doing something similar with the Forbes facades.

Yep. Of course in this case, the City apparently sided with the preservationists, and so they worked out a reasonable deal with the developer. That's really all it should take, but unfortunately it appears the City is not interested in standing up to Point Park, nor for that matter are the institutional preservationists.

[daviderik]

http://www.post-gazette.com/business/dev...trict-s-3-Crossings/stories/201508120224

Oxford Development expected to announce Burns White will move headquarters to 3 Crossings

It looks like a North Side law firm will be crossing the river.

Burns White is expected to be the “major corporate headquarters” Oxford Development Co. will be announcing Thursday morning for its 3 Crossings mixed use development in the Strip District, according to sources.

The law firm, now located in Four Northshore Center at 106 Isabella St., is expected to take space in one of two office buildings Oxford is planning in a second phase of the development.

No other details were available. Burns White officials did not return phone calls.

Both second phase buildings will be larger than the 52,000-square-foot office building Oxford currently is completing at the site, one that is expected to house Apple and Rycon Construction. That building is fully leased and is expected to be ready in October.

[TBone7281]

Originally Posted by daviderik

http://www.post-gazette.com/business/dev...trict-s-3-Crossings/stories/201508120224

Oxford Development expected to announce Burns White will move headquarters to 3 Crossings

I wonder if they mean 2555 Smallman or if they mean Riverfront East/West (where Easter Seals currently is). They just fenced off the area where 2555 Smallman is going to go in the last week or two, so I imagine activity will be starting there soon. (This is the space along Smallman between 25th and 26th Streets.)

[BrianTH]

Riverlife and the US Army are teaming up to study environmental remediation of the Ohio River bank between the casino and West End bridge:

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/2015/0...s-of-the-Ohio-River/stories/201508130055

Lots of potential for more recreation there in addition to cleanup and remediation.

[BrianTH]

Demolition at the former Saks site may be starting soon:

http://www.post-gazette.com/business/dev...burgh-to-start-soon/stories/201508120194

In my view, the key to this being an acceptable project is the residential component. On that subject . . .

At its meeting, the URA board also will consider a $7 million loan to help finance the garage and the infrastructure to support the seven-story tower to be built above it. The loan would be paid back by diverting 75 percent of the parking tax revenue generated by the garage. The URA would own the air rights above the garage.

Kevin Acklin, URA board chairman and chief of staff to Mayor Bill Peduto, said that in exchange for the loan, the administration insisted that Smithfield Oliver start construction of the residential units within the next two years. It also demanded “personal guarantees” from Millcraft and McKnight that the money would be repaid if the housing isn’t built in accordance with the timetable or if the garage is sold before the residential construction. . . . Mr. Piatt said the development team hopes to “roll right into” the residential construction as it completes the garage and retail space. “At the end of the day, we envision this as one extended project,” he said.

Smithfield Oliver had been planning to construct 77 condos at the Saks site, but now may erect apartments. “We haven’t made a clear decision yet. Our goal is to deliver a residential component to the market in a timely fashion, and apartments allow us to deliver to the market more quickly, although we do feel there is a demand for condos at this point,” Mr. Piatt said. Depending on what Smithfield Oliver decides, the number of units could range from 50 to 100.

Hopefully everything the URA is doing will make sure the residential phase really does follow on immediately, but retaining the air rights implies they could transfer them to another developer in case this plan falls apart.

I don't have a particular preference for apartments versus condos per se, but I do always think Downtown, and indeed the entire core area, could benefit from more small apartments which could be a bit more affordable.

[GeneW]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Riverlife and the US Army are teaming up to study environmental remediation of the Ohio River bank between the casino and West End bridge:

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/2015/0...s-of-the-Ohio-River/stories/201508130055

Lots of potential for more recreation there in addition to cleanup and remediation.

Nice to see some attention given to the Ohio River Trail. I run or bike along there often and it's sad how poorly maintained the trails and riverbanks are along there.

[BrianTH]

Pittsburgh and Wilkinsburg are continuing to look seriously at some sort of school partnership:

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/ne...ublic-schools-and-wilkinsburg-weigh.html

The districts said the internal team will develop terms for a potential agreement to present to each districts' board for review in September, which will include examining financial and academic factors, student transition needs and any legal, financial and technical support required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. October would be the earliest both boards would vote on any agreement to serve Wilkinsburg students in the 2016-17 school year. The working group, which is comprised of the superintendent or a designee, business manager and solicitor representing each district, will also recommend a Pittsburgh Public Schools feeder-pattern school for Wilkinsburg middle and high school students.

I cannot tell you how great this would be for Wilkinsburg, including with respect to likely investment in development. In fact, this dovetails nicely with the expanded tax abatement plan they just passed:

http://wesa.fm/post/officials-hope-tax-abatement-will-revitalize-wilkinsburg-business-district

The Wilkinsburg Borough Council and the school district have approved an enhanced tax abatement plan to lure new businesses or entice current building owners to spruce up their properties. According to [CDC director] Evans, 100 percent of the value of improvements will be tax exempt for five years and then the tax will be phased in over the next five years. The school district and borough are still collecting on the current assessed value, “they’re not taking a loss,” and eventually will get additional revenues from higher property values and the business, sales and income taxes those developments will generate.

Meanwhile, a few people I know who work in PPS also think it is a good idea (their view is PPS needs more students).

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by GeneW

Nice to see some attention given to the Ohio River Trail. I run or bike along there often and it's sad how poorly maintained the trails and riverbanks are along there.

It is really amazing how bad they are, but the potential is very high.

The article mentions the Nine Mile Run project in Frick Park as a partial model, and that was pretty awesome.