PITTSBURGH | Development Rundown II

[Private Dick]

^ Hmmm, not too many that I can think of, but I'm sure others can provide a more complete list.

• Tower at PNC Plaza
• Tower Two-Sixty
• Skyvue
• Holiday Inn Express - Northshore ?

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by Private Dick

^ Hmmm, not too many that I can think of, but I'm sure others can provide a more complete list.

• Tower at PNC Plaza
• Tower Two-Sixty
• Skyvue
• Holiday Inn Express - Northshore ?

I believe the new Holiday Inn Express is exactly 10 stories.

That may be a complete list fitting the criteria. The project at the former Saks site Downtown should begin soon, and with its second phase should be over 10. The Residence Inn on Forbes next to Skyvue may also begin soon, and it is supposed to be exactly 10. Nordenberg Hall, the new Pitt dorm, was 10, but that was completed a couple years ago now.

For zoning and perhaps financial reasons, the bigger development projects are mostly in the sub-10 range these days. This is not great for skyscraper fans, but Jane Jacobs would be happy. And in fact, the resulting densities are certainly going to be sufficient for the purposes of encouraging transit usage and development, amenity density, walkable neighborhoods, and so on.

[Wave]

Other Proposed 10+:

Moving Forward:

Oakland Portal (Oakland 10-story)
Park 7 (Oakland/Baum-Centre 17-story)
Hyatt Centric (Oakland 10-story)
Holiday Inn Fort Pitt Blvd (downtown) I've read anywhere between 8-12 stories
Marriott Residence Inn Forbes St (Oakland 10-story)


Questionable, early stage or on hold:

Francois Bitz project (Strip 17-story)
350 Fifth Avenue (downtown 29 story)
Castle Shannon Transit Village (South Hills 10-story)
Stabile office towers north shore (North Shore 2 x 12 stories)
Burns & Scalo office project Ft Pitt Blvd (Downtown 16 story)
Saks Site (Downtown 10 story)

Originally Posted by BrianTH

I believe the new Holiday Inn Express is exactly 10 stories.

That may be a complete list fitting the criteria. The project at the former Saks site Downtown should begin soon, and with its second phase should be over 10. The Residence Inn on Forbes next to Skyvue may also begin soon, and it is supposed to be exactly 10. Nordenberg Hall, the new Pitt dorm, was 10, but that was completed a couple years ago now.

For zoning and perhaps financial reasons, the bigger development projects are mostly in the sub-10 range these days. This is not great for skyscraper fans, but Jane Jacobs would be happy. And in fact, the resulting densities are certainly going to be sufficient for the purposes of encouraging transit usage and development, amenity density, walkable neighborhoods, and so on.

[BrianTH]

Article about the largely successful Peebles Square infill project in Wilkinsburg:

http://triblive.com/news/allegheny/8989854-74/housing-peebles-homes#axzz3lc1sgyRV

You can go back with Google Streetview's historic function to see what the vacant buildings on the block used to look like--there was one decent house, but otherwise it really was a nightmare.

The new housing could have been a little denser in my view, but it isn't too bad, and the historic rowhouses they renovated are gorgeous.

And it definitely seemed to help attract other investment to the area (although rising rental prices in general likely helped).

Hopefully something can be done with the lots remaining on Ross--personally, I think rowhouses or small apartment buildings would be a nice finish.

[summersm343]

Originally Posted by Private Dick

^ Hmmm, not too many that I can think of, but I'm sure others can provide a more complete list.

• Tower at PNC Plaza
• Tower Two-Sixty
• Skyvue
• Holiday Inn Express - Northshore ?

Originally Posted by BrianTH

I believe the new Holiday Inn Express is exactly 10 stories.

That may be a complete list fitting the criteria. The project at the former Saks site Downtown should begin soon, and with its second phase should be over 10. The Residence Inn on Forbes next to Skyvue may also begin soon, and it is supposed to be exactly 10. Nordenberg Hall, the new Pitt dorm, was 10, but that was completed a couple years ago now.

For zoning and perhaps financial reasons, the bigger development projects are mostly in the sub-10 range these days. This is not great for skyscraper fans, but Jane Jacobs would be happy. And in fact, the resulting densities are certainly going to be sufficient for the purposes of encouraging transit usage and development, amenity density, walkable neighborhoods, and so on.

Originally Posted by Wave

Other Proposed 10+:

Moving Forward:

Oakland Portal (Oakland 10-story)
Park 7 (Oakland/Baum-Centre 17-story)
Hyatt Centric (Oakland 10-story)
Holiday Inn Fort Pitt Blvd (downtown) I've read anywhere between 8-12 stories
Marriott Residence Inn Forbes St (Oakland 10-story)


Questionable, early stage or on hold:

Francois Bitz project (Strip 17-story)
350 Fifth Avenue (downtown 29 story)
Castle Shannon Transit Village (South Hills 10-story)
Stabile office towers north shore (North Shore 2 x 12 stories)
Burns & Scalo office project Ft Pitt Blvd (Downtown 16 story)
Saks Site (Downtown 10 story)

Thanks for the updates guys! I was confusing the Francois Bitz project with the Park 7 project.

[Evergrey]

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20...__WHYY_s_Pittsburgh_plan_endangered.html

With departure of top newsmen, WHYY's Pittsburgh plan endangered

JEFF GAMMAGE, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
LAST UPDATED: Sunday, September 13, 2015, 1:09 AM
POSTED: Saturday, September 12, 2015, 7:20 PM
image: http://media.philly.com/designimages/partnerIcon-Inquirer-2014.jpg


A Pittsburgh-based project that could deliver $1.5 million in foundation funding to WHYY is now on hold because of the unexpected departure of two station news executives, The Inquirer has confirmed.

Chris Satullo, the head of news operations, left Sept. 3, and the resignation of editor Matt Golas became known on Thursday - roughly two weeks after the pair impressed representatives of four big philanthropies with a two-hour pitch to create "PlanBurgh," a West Pennsylvania incarnation of PlanPhilly.

Golas was the primary architect of the plan and the managing editor of PlanPhilly, which covers land use and development issues for WHYY, the dominant public-broadcasting TV and radio operation in Philadelphia.

Funders left the room that day excited and interested about PlanBurgh, according to several people familiar with what transpired. The donors were impressed by what PlanPhilly had achieved in Philadelphia, and more, that Satullo and Golas had not simply applied Philadelphia parameters to Pittsburgh.

Instead, the pair had researched the factors that make Pittsburgh unique, and offered a specific plan for the state's big western city.

No commitments were made to fund the $1.5 million cost of the project, but the conversation about PlanBurgh was moving forward.

However, the sudden departures of the executives most closely associated with the project has made foundation representatives pause, unsure how or whether to proceed, according to people familiar with the process. The donor groups have been discussing the matter among themselves, trying to determine whether the plan can go forward and in what way.

People who discussed Satullo's and Golas' presentation at the Heinz Endowments, and the subsequent uncertainty, declined to be identified, saying it could damage their relationships with WHYY and with foundations in the western part of the state.

WHYY president and CEO William Marrazzo was unavailable to comment on the matter, according to station spokesman Art Ellis, who described PlanBurgh as being in the early stages.

...

[photoLith]

Pittsburgh is definitely getting cooler places to eat. I've noticed a huge change even since moved here over two years ago. I just want to Sushi Fuku on Oakland Avenue next to Forbes and it was really good and feels like a place you would find in Chicago. I can't wait for all of these developments in Oakland to be completed because those will bring even better places to eat with the increased foot traffic the developments will bring.

Talking about new resturaunts here's the new Poros in Market Square, almost done.












Morrow Park. As far as new developments go, this one has probably turned out as one of the best medium scaled developments in the city. A lot better than that crap they just finished across the street from Morrow Park.

[greg42]

Originally Posted by Evergrey

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20...__WHYY_s_Pittsburgh_plan_endangered.html

I read and reread and still don't know what the hell that all means. WHYY was going to do what exactly? Cover Pittsburgh stories in an interesting way despite the fact that they are ultimately based in Philly, or just extract money from Pittsburgh foundations? The article fails to make that clear unless I managed to miss it multiple times.

The first line of the story was entirely focused on the lost funding, which maybe is why this seems so odd to me. WHYY doesn't have anything to do with the broadcasting in Pittsburgh, so it's not as if this is an obvious thing for them to do. They wowed the Pittsburgh foundations with plans to do...what exactly? There's a significant bit of info entirely left out of the story.

In other words, it's next to impossible to be a direct implementation of PlanPhilly, since WHYY isn't the broadcaster here. So something has to work a little differently one would have to think, unless they're only going to broadcast their Pittsburgh stories in Philly, or unless PlanPhilly already is set up to distribute stories differently than just part of WHYY news.

[SWPA]

I read the WHYY story and also could not figure out exactly what the project was that was to be funded. Sounds like WHYY came out and wowed the Heinz Endowments people over something, and Heinz was ready to write a check for something. But as for what that something is, I have no idea.

[Private Dick]

Originally Posted by SWPA

I read the WHYY story and also could not figure out exactly what the project was that was to be funded. Sounds like WHYY came out and wowed the Heinz Endowments people over something, and Heinz was ready to write a check for something. But as for what that something is, I have no idea.

Heinz Endowments people are ready to write checks for just about anything that dazzles them for a few minutes. Stroke their egos and they'll give you other people's money pretty easily.

[Evergrey]

Originally Posted by Private Dick

Heinz Endowments people are ready to write checks for just about anything that dazzles them for a few minutes. Stroke their egos and they'll give you other people's money pretty easily.

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2...h-development-focus/stories/201509140039

Heinz Endowments considering funding city's media endeavor with development focus

September 14, 2015 12:00 AM

By Robert Zullo / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Heinz Endowments is considering a $1.5 million grant application to launch a digital media operation focusing on development, planning, zoning, design and city government in Pittsburgh.

Called “PlanBurgh,” the news and information site would be based on PlanPhilly, originally conceived and launched by the University of Pennsylvania but now under the umbrella of WHYY, a Philadelphia television, radio and Web public media nonprofit.

“There was some interest in building out a similar service in the Pittsburgh area,” said Art Ellis, WHYY’s vice president for communications and member relations. Mr. Ellis said WHYY engages in several journalistic partnerships, including the Philadelphia-area website newsworks.org and Keystone Crossroads, which includes Pittsburgh’s WQED and WESA stations and focuses on reporting “in depth on the root causes of our state’s urban crisis.”

“PlanBurgh fits this model of leveraging work we’re already doing and working in partnership with other organizations.”

...

[eschaton]

New Planning Commission PDF up. The most notable thing is the initial renderings/site plans for the "ARC house" hotel on East Ohio street. There's a shit-ton of surface parking, including nearly the entire back side of Phineas (barring the one house they couldn't buy out, and potentially a later multi-family structure). The one rendering is very unimpressive as well - not what I would have expected from October Development at all, who has done some of the better neo-traditionalist small-scale development in Pittsburgh.

[BrianTH]

Yeah, all that surface parking is annoying, and the new part of the hotel doesn't work at all with the former Arc House.

[Austinlee]

Originally Posted by eschaton

New Planning Commission PDF up. The most notable thing is the initial renderings/site plans for the "ARC house" hotel on East Ohio street. There's a shit-ton of surface parking, including nearly the entire back side of Phineas (barring the one house they couldn't buy out, and potentially a later multi-family structure). The one rendering is very unimpressive as well - not what I would have expected from October Development at all, who has done some of the better neo-traditionalist small-scale development in Pittsburgh.

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Yeah, all that surface parking is annoying, and the new part of the hotel doesn't work at all with the former Arc House.

I completely disagree with you guys. A hotel with the renovated Arc House, aka Workingmen's Savings Bank aka the new "Workingmen's Square" as its being called will be a wonderful addition to the neighborhood and the local residents seem to agree based on a near unanimous vote of 113 to 5 approval vote. I live right up the hill and this should hopefully spur development in East Deutschtown which should hopefully extend up to Spring Hill as well.
It looks dense and fresh to me and is badly needed. Who cares if there's parking in the rear, the front is what people will see and it looks very urban to me.

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by Austinlee

I completely disagree with you guys. A hotel with the renovated Arc House, aka Workingmen's Savings Bank aka the new "Workingmen's Square" as its being called will be a wonderful addition to the neighborhood and the local residents seem to agree based on a near unanimous vote of 113 to 5 approval vote. I live right up the hill and this should hopefully spur development in East Deutschtown which should hopefully extend up to Spring Hill as well.
It looks dense and fresh to me and is badly needed. Who cares if there's parking in the rear, the front is what people will see and it looks very urban to me.

I'm not saying that I think the development should be blocked. Only that I'm underwhelmed by it both in terms of the site plan and the rendering. IIRC there was originally supposed to be a parking garage, for example, which appears to have evaporated. The rendering also only shows the hotel, and not the three-story apartment building to be built on East Ohio between the hotel and the remaining storefronts.

My main issue though remains the treatment of Phineas. The street is not an alley. I'm not so much opposed in principle to their knocking down nine houses on Phineas for the new development. But trading this for a parking lot does not seem worthwhile, regardless of the density on the East Ohio side of the block - which remember, by virtue of that block being essentially a highway offramp, will never be as pedestrian friendly as Phineas has the potential of being. The north side of that block of Phineas has tons of potential - there's only five vacant lots, all the rest of the housing is still standing. I don't think that being across the street from a parking lot will really be much of a trade up in terms of desirability from the blight there before however.

To be fair, I am guessing that October Development is hoping they'll eventually be able to buy out the last house they don't own (along with the vacant lot next door) knock it down, and then have full site control of the block along the Phineas side.

[AaronPGH]

Originally Posted by daviderik

“It’s going to take this property from its upscale select service status to really being a boutique full-service hotel,”

This hotel was one of the more affordable in the Downtown Area. Always the cheapest stay. That will no doubt change with this news.

I hate to say it, but I'm glad. That hotel appearing on the market was really fucking up my hotwire.com game when I housed guest artists. Before it, I knew everything I could possibly land on would be walkable to venues. Cambria threw a wrench into that. (yes, selfish) lol

[Austinlee]

Originally Posted by eschaton

I'm not saying that I think the development should be blocked. Only that I'm underwhelmed by it both in terms of the site plan and the rendering. IIRC there was originally supposed to be a parking garage, for example, which appears to have evaporated. The rendering also only shows the hotel, and not the three-story apartment building to be built on East Ohio between the hotel and the remaining storefronts.

My main issue though remains the treatment of Phineas. The street is not an alley. I'm not so much opposed in principle to their knocking down nine houses on Phineas for the new development. But trading this for a parking lot does not seem worthwhile, regardless of the density on the East Ohio side of the block - which remember, by virtue of that block being essentially a highway offramp, will never be as pedestrian friendly as Phineas has the potential of being. The north side of that block of Phineas has tons of potential - there's only five vacant lots, all the rest of the housing is still standing. I don't think that being across the street from a parking lot will really be much of a trade up in terms of desirability from the blight there before however.

To be fair, I am guessing that October Development is hoping they'll eventually be able to buy out the last house they don't own (along with the vacant lot next door) knock it down, and then have full site control of the block along the Phineas side.

Fair enough but knocking down 9 houses in exchange for all this seems worth it to me: New hotel; TWO apartment buildings; Redeveloped historic Arc House

[Evergrey]

Originally Posted by Austinlee

Fair enough but knocking down 9 houses in exchange for all this seems worth it to me: New hotel; TWO apartment buildings; Redeveloped historic Arc House

AND more surface parking!

[Private Dick]

Originally Posted by eschaton

My main issue though remains the treatment of Phineas. The street is not an alley. I'm not so much opposed in principle to their knocking down nine houses on Phineas for the new development. But trading this for a parking lot does not seem worthwhile, regardless of the density on the East Ohio side of the block - which remember, by virtue of that block being essentially a highway offramp, will never be as pedestrian friendly as Phineas has the potential of being. The north side of that block of Phineas has tons of potential - there's only five vacant lots, all the rest of the housing is still standing. I don't think that being across the street from a parking lot will really be much of a trade up in terms of desirability from the blight there before however.

To be fair, I am guessing that October Development is hoping they'll eventually be able to buy out the last house they don't own (along with the vacant lot next door) knock it down, and then have full site control of the block along the Phineas side.

First, I think the hotel rendering looks like total shit. Looks like an Action Housing project or the new East Liberty projects or the crappy Google campus apartments or the Hyatt Place on the Northshore or etc. etc. etc... basically all the other junk material design that is going up. Hopefully, it's just a bad rendering and the finished project will wow us with its quality...

Second, as you said, East Ohio there is basically a highway off/on ramp... it's just about the least pedestrian friendly area in the city of Pittsburgh. It's an awful situation, hemmed in by highways, overpasses, and a large median ROW. Without some major changes, I don't see how this block is even the least bit desirable. Is street redesign planned there?

[Minivan Werner]

Of the 6 houses on the south side of Phineas street, the 4 on the east side look to be fairly well in-tact and historic. Maybe they can leave some of those standing and work the parking around those structures, in the large gaps between the houses.

The 2 on the west side do not appear as though they'll be a big loss.