PITTSBURGH | Development Rundown II

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by wpipkins2

PPS is better than most large urban school districts. I have no concerns about the well being of my children and the quality of their education. Coming from a family of teachers and graduating from PPS eased my fears. I am pleased with our decision to stay put.

For what it is worth, we might well use PPS for high school if the deal with Wilkinsburg goes through. Diversity in the district would be a positive for us (not the biggest deal, but we would prefer not to use something like 95% white schools).

[Don't Be That Guy]

Originally Posted by TBone7281

Your guess is as good as mine... it looked to me that the notice and the other documents all said different things. I was sort of hoping someone on here understood real estate/zoning gibberish and could translate. Then again, maybe the lack of clarity is intentional.

The Terminal Building was zoned Urban Industrial prior to the creation of Buncher's specially planned district. Now that the terminal is no longer part of that plan the URA needs to change the zoning so the building can redeveloped. Most of the Strip District is zoned urban industrial.

[Austinlee]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

For what it is worth, we might well use PPS for high school if the deal with Wilkinsburg goes through. Diversity in the district would be a positive for us (not the biggest deal, but we would prefer not to use something like 95% white schools).

I don't have kids yet but I agree with you; I think the best thing is a diverse school. The world is diverse. I grew up in a 100% white Christian school. I never grew up around people different than me.

[DKNewYork]

National Register “Main Streets” designation for Penn Avenue and some adjacent streets is in the works. PHLF has submitted necessary documentation to PHMC, which decided on the final borders of the district and has submitted the application to DC. Not sure of the differences between a Nat Reg historic district designation and a Nat Reg Main Streets designation,---I believe that the latter has fewer protections, less stringent criteria and is only available for commercial districts. This designation does have the same access to federal historic restoration tax credits.

PHLF expects to close on the Falconhurst apartment building by Tuesday. It is the first project in the country to use both historic restoration and low-income housing credits, which greatly slowed the approval process. The contractor will begin work the day after closing. With most of this year’s construction season already lost, the pre-winter goal is to rebuild the wall that collapsed earlier this year and get the roof in place.

PHLF now has about $225K for the Wilkinsburg Train Station---to repair the roof, clean the façade and begin marketing the station to developers.

There has been some developer inquiries about the Penn-Lincoln Hotel site but nothing definitive.

[DKNewYork]

PHLF will start the façade restoration of two more Wood Street buildings (former Weldin’s store and the adjacent building with the women’s boutique on the ground floor) in the next few weeks. Interior restoration of the Weldin’s interior (the plan calls for retail, not a restaurant) and the conversion of the upper floors of both buildings to residential (this requires installation of a shared elevator) is expected to start sometime next year.

The easement issue that was holding up Forbes Hotel project appears to be solved. Philly preservation group holding the easement has voted to transfer it to PHLF, which will accept it. No idea if there are other roadblocks, such as financing.

Due diligence and other investigative work continues on the proposed Terminal buildings (currently Riverwalk Corporate Center) project. It is a huge project---one million square feet---and could cost upwards of $100million. The preliminary plans and drawings are really impressive.

Peduto requested a meeting with PHLF soon re: request for another round of state RACP funding for restoration of more downtown facades.

[wpipkins2]

Originally Posted by DKNewYork

National Register “Main Streets” designation for Penn Avenue and some adjacent streets is in the works. PHLF has submitted necessary documentation to PHMC, which decided on the final borders of the district and has submitted the application to DC. Not sure of the differences between a Nat Reg historic district designation and a Nat Reg Main Streets designation,---I believe that the latter has fewer protections, less stringent criteria and is only available for commercial districts. This designation does have the same access to federal historic restoration tax credits.

PHLF expects to close on the Falconhurst apartment building by Tuesday. It is the first project in the country to use both historic restoration and low-income housing credits, which greatly slowed the approval process. The contractor will begin work the day after closing. With most of this year’s construction season already lost, the pre-winter goal is to rebuild the wall that collapsed earlier this year and get the roof in place.

PHLF now has about $225K for the Wilkinsburg Train Station---to repair the roof, clean the façade and begin marketing the station to developers.

There has been some developer inquiries about the Penn-Lincoln Hotel site but nothing definitive.

I noticed the building Wood Street between Wallace and Penn is getting rehabilitated. The upper floors have new windows and the empty storefronts have been cleaned out.

[Evergrey]

I have long dreamed of a redevelopment of the ocean of surface parking surrounding the Rite Aid in the 3900 block of Butler St... which totally destroys Lawrenceville's business district urban fabric between the lower and central parts of the neighborhood.

But 650 apartments is more than I could've ever dreamed of for that site.

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/bl...tment-complex-planned-lawrenceville.html

Exclusive: 650-apartment complex planned in Lawrenceville

Aug 20, 2015, 2:38pm EDT

Indianapolis-based Milhaus Development has been quietly working with the longtime owner of a Lawrenceville property to pursue what might become the biggest redevelopment project yet in the neighborhood.

There’s no indication yet of a formal transaction for the 12.75-acre property that spans a block along Butler Street from 39th to 40th streets, what is now a hodgepodge of businesses that includes a Rite Aid, a Scott Electric electric supply facility and other small businesses. The complex extends to the rail line behind it.

A representative for Arsenal Terminal Warehouse Inc., which has owned the property for generations, declined to comment. Shawn Kichline, a vice president of development for Milhaus, also declined comment.

But sources familiar with the proposal say Milhaus has been considering a project to build a complex that would total as many as 650 new apartments on the site, along with more than 700 parking spaces, much of it structured, and some complementary retail of 20,000 square feet or more that could include a new build out for the Rite Aid.

Milhaus has indicated it is considering pursuing the project in four phases, sources say.

...

street view
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.4686127,...0QK3yeqEv4bgHpg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

[Austinlee]

Originally Posted by Evergrey

I have long dreamed of a redevelopment of the ocean of surface parking surrounding the Rite Aid in the 3900 block of Butler St... which totally destroys Lawrenceville's business district urban fabric between the lower and central parts of the neighborhood.

But 650 apartments is more than I could've ever dreamed of for that site.

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/bl...tment-complex-planned-lawrenceville.html



street view
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.4686127,...0QK3yeqEv4bgHpg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

Wow, nearly twice the size of Skyvue? That must be a huge building or more likely multiple buildings.

[PGHFan]

Its great to hear of the facade restorations sponsored by PHLF. Too often that organization seems to get little acknowledgement for its help in actually preserving Pittsburgh's notable old buildings, as opposed to just talking about it. Its assistance with the Forbes Hotel may well be important for that development to become reality. If only Atlanta, where I live, had as successful a preservation effort, we might actually have a downtown left.

[SWPA]

It would be great to see the Lawrenceville project come to fruition. That ugly parking lot has been an eyesore for far too long. In addition to tieing middle and lower Lawrenceville together, it will be the first thing people see coming across the 40th Street Bridge and up and down Butler Street. Looking forward to seeing the renderings.

[AaronPGH]

That developer does pretty terrible work.

http://www.milhaus.com/portfolio/all-projects

[Wave]

This really could be a game changer for Lawrenceville. I can't think of a parcel that if developed properly could make a bigger difference in the neighborhood. I've wondered about the possibilities of this property every time i am in the area.

Also 650 units is pretty significant if true & would immediately add up to 1000 new residents to the neighborhood. 20,000 Sq. ft of retail is not much but if properly configured along the Butler streetscape could do wonders for the cohesiveness of the neighborhood.

Milhaus does not have any projects that I could see on their website of this size though they've done a lot of projects and have many on the drawing boards.

Some of their older projects do look crappy but their newer stuff, though not earth shattering, are much better. I'd prefer the developer of the Morrow Park Apts, though, who are more cutting edge and interesting.

The other important point is that even if this current proposal does not fly, its significant that this parcel is in play at all given its importance in the fabric of the neighborhood.

Originally Posted by Evergrey

I have long dreamed of a redevelopment of the ocean of surface parking surrounding the Rite Aid in the 3900 block of Butler St... which totally destroys Lawrenceville's business district urban fabric between the lower and central parts of the neighborhood.

But 650 apartments is more than I could've ever dreamed of for that site.

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/bl...tment-complex-planned-lawrenceville.html



street view
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.4686127,...0QK3yeqEv4bgHpg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

[Jonboy1983]

Originally Posted by AaronPGH

That developer does pretty terrible work.

http://www.milhaus.com/portfolio/all-projects

I wouldn't call it terrible, but I won't call it having a "wow" factor either. Something like their "Mentor and Muse" development in Indianapolis I don't think I'd mind. What I would like to see is something along the lines of what they're building in Falls Church (near Dunn Loring metro station) or Ballston or Rosslyn. I noticed a lot in the way of new construction in the 6-to-10 story range.

Yeah, some of that other stuff in their portfolio, tho, and for Lawrenceville? Um, HELL no...

[WillyC]

Originally Posted by PGHFan

If only Atlanta, where I live, had as successful a preservation effort, we might actually have a downtown left.

Or you Yankees could have chosen not to burn it down... just sayin'

[BrianTH]

Great news about Wilkinsburg and the Forbes Hotel.

650 units in Lawrenceville--wow. It is a huge parcel, though, so it makes sense if it gets fully built out.

[guyFROMtheBURGH]

Originally Posted by Jonboy1983

I wouldn't call it terrible, but I won't call it having a "wow" factor either. Something like their "Mentor and Muse" development in Indianapolis I don't think I'd mind. What I would like to see is something along the lines of what they're building in Falls Church (near Dunn Loring metro station) or Ballston or Rosslyn. I noticed a lot in the way of new construction in the 6-to-10 story range.

Yeah, some of that other stuff in their portfolio, tho, and for Lawrenceville? Um, HELL no...

Just to clarify, the project at Dunn Loring Metro is by MillCreek, not Millhaus. I looked at a place in that development but opted for a condo across the street, which I'm currently living.

The developer chosen for the rite-aid site will, in no way, ruin that area with whatever they develop. It will, most importantly, bring even more life and residents into that area. I don't think their designs are terrible.

[Jonboy1983]

Originally Posted by guyFROMtheBURGH

Just to clarify, the project at Dunn Loring Metro is by MillCreek, not Millhaus. I looked at a place in that development but opted for a condo across the street, which I'm currently living.

The developer chosen for the rite-aid site will, in no way, ruin that area with whatever they develop. It will, most importantly, bring even more life and residents into that area. I don't think their designs are terrible.

Yeah, I know Millhaus isn't building the development in Falls Church; probably should have made that clear which I did not.

Also, I didn't say the designs were terrible. I do have high hopes for them. I'm sure they're not going to cram a townhouse or low-density aparment complex in there. I'm thinking they're going to build something along the lines of that one Indianapolis complex I referenced earlier. If that's the case, I think it would be fine.

[guyFROMtheBURGH]

Jonboy, thanks for the clarification! I didn't mean anything negative towards you. I look forward to seeing the proposed design.

[photoLith]

Oh man I really hope that lville development goes through. That horrid 1950s warehouse and the rite aid parking lot need to go and upper and lower lville need to be united with a curb side development there. Even if it turns out to be a horrid piece of tin sided schlock it will be better than what's there now and is sorely needed for a cohesive urban fabric.

[BrianTH]

By the way, just a reminder, but the Washington Education Center across the street may become a hotel:

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/bl...ying-lawrenceville-school-for-hotel.html

That could really make the 40th Street bridge "gateway" quite impressive.

Now about that Wendy's and GetGo . . .