PITTSBURGH | Development Rundown II

[eschaton]

New Planning Commission presentation. Four small-bore projects:

1. Renovations to the BMW dealership on Baum Boulevard. No changes I can see to the building envelope at all - just replacing the paneling and having more windows on the Baum side of the building.

2. A facade renovation of 3347 Forbes Avenue. In terms of massing, the building will change little, but the blank wall on the front (which has no windows aside from what looks like a front stairwell) will be opened up, which will help it look much better from the street.

3. Images (a gay bar downtown) is also getting a new facade treatment. This is really neaded, because the current building is absolutely hideous. I can't say I love the new design, but it's a big step up from where they have been.

4. The most substantial project is turning the Detectives Building into a Schoolhouse Electric site. As we had conjectured, some of the existing parcel is not going along weith the deal, in order to allow Harvard Street to once again with N Euclid. Schoolhouse Electric does not plan to extensively redesign the Detectives Building because they like the style, but will engage in major interior renovations. They will also be re-configuring the parking lot, planting some trees and other landscaping, and adding a small plaza area fronting on Broad, where the paved section right now is too narrow to use for anything.

There's also a new zoning board schedule posted. No mega projects, but it's more substantial than usual. There's a new house in East Liberty, ten in Duquense Heights, 3 in Upper Lawrenceville, and five in South Side Flats.

[MattofSloppyVariety]

Anyone know what the status of the project that is suppose to happen on Bates St/Blvd of the Allies in Oakland? I drove past today and all those townhomes on that side of the block now have boards on the windows and doors.

[chucka]

Originally Posted by eschaton

...five in South Side Flats. The last unfortunately seems to involve two perfectly fine looking rowhouses getting knocked down.

It should be listed as 1817 and 1819 Fox Way. They will only be developing on the vacant lots, three on Wharton Street and two on Fox Way. Here is a Google Map of the area.

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by chucka

It should be listed as 1817 and 1819 Fox Way. They will be developing three on Wharton Street and two on Fox Way. Here is a Google Map of the area.

Okay, that makes a lot more sense. I've seen remuddled old frame houses knocked down for new construction in South Side (and Lawrenceville) but never a brick house which was in good shape and occupied.

[PITairport]

Mylan is planning a 188,000 sq ft addition to their headquarters in Cecil:

http://www.observer-reporter.com/20160622/mylan_tight-lipped_on_plans_for_second_hq_building

[photoLith]

Originally Posted by chucka

It should be listed as 1817 and 1819 Fox Way. They will only be developing on the vacant lots, three on Wharton Street and two on Fox Way. Here is a Google Map of the area.

Any renderings of what's going up in those vacant lots?

[Austinlee]

Originally Posted by chucka

It should be listed as 1817 and 1819 Fox Way. They will only be developing on the vacant lots, three on Wharton Street and two on Fox Way. Here is a Google Map of the area.

Originally Posted by photoLith

Any renderings of what's going up in those vacant lots?

The Southside flats continue to have the more infill than anywhere except maybe tying with Lawrenceville. I rented a house last summer on Uxor Way if you'd like to look it up on maps which is a tiny, 1 lane street and there was no fewer than 3 (maybe more) brand new large townhouses being built at one time. The entire street had to be closed down to accommodate the construction. I have never seen tighter working conditions.

Obviously it's a good thing. More money for the tax rolls and a more vibrant city overall.

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by Austinlee

The Southside flats continue to have the more infill than anywhere except maybe tying with Lawrenceville. I rented a house last summer on Uxor Way if you'd like to look it up on maps which is a tiny, 1 lane street and there was no fewer than 3 (maybe more) brand new large townhouses being built at one time. The entire street had to be closed down to accommodate the construction. I have never seen tighter working conditions.

Obviously it's a good thing. More money for the tax rolls and a more vibrant city overall.

Pittsburgh really needs to eliminate parking minimums for new construction, at least in the South Side. Given unlike Lawrenceville virtually no houses have lots which extend to the back alley, builders are basically mandated to build an ugly, intrusive first-floor garage. I'm sure there are some potentially car-free home buyers who'd be willing to get a new construction house without a garage.

[Austinlee]

Originally Posted by eschaton

Pittsburgh really needs to eliminate parking minimums for new construction, at least in the South Side. Given unlike Lawrenceville virtually no houses have lots which extend to the back alley, builders are basically mandated to build an ugly, intrusive first-floor garage. I'm sure there are some potentially car-free home buyers who'd be willing to get a new construction house without a garage.

I believe that in a few years as car companies transition to "mobility providers" (As Ford recently announced in March) we will see companies or perhaps one dominant company that is a combination of Uber/ZipCar/Tesla. You wouldn't have to own a car or maintain it or have a garage to park it, you simply pay for the service and an electric, driverless car comes to your house within 5 minutes (As Uber currently does) and takes you to your destination.
This will make dense, non-car friendly neighborhoods increase in popularity and value as the need for parking goes the way of the horse and buggy - ancient history.

[chucka]

We knew something was coming when Pitt bought the parking lot earlier this year.

University of Pittsburgh to build 'innovation hub'

University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Patrick Gallagher announced plans Friday to develop an innovation hub on the site of the former Syria Mosque performance venue on Bigelow Boulevard in Oakland.

Gallagher made the announcement at the end of a report he gave during a Board of Trustees meeting.

“It should serve as a front door for the business community that wishes to collaborate,” Gallagher said.

Gallagher said UPMC will be a key tenant of the center and will work on advancements in health data.

He said the hub should feel “more like visiting Google” than visiting an academic hall.]

The Syria Mosque was demolished in 1991. Pitt purchased the 2.1-acre site in February from UPMC for $10 million.

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by Austinlee

I believe that in a few years as car companies transition to "mobility providers" (As Ford recently announced in March) we will see companies or perhaps one dominant company that is a combination of Uber/ZipCar/Tesla. You wouldn't have to own a car or maintain it or have a garage to park it, you simply pay for the service and an electric, driverless car comes to your house within 5 minutes (As Uber currently does) and takes you to your destination.
This will make dense, non-car friendly neighborhoods increase in popularity and value as the need for parking goes the way of the horse and buggy - ancient history.

No doubt. I presume that garages in these new rowhouses could eventually be converted into large windowed areas, similar to what you now see in old storefronts which have been converted into homes. The real damage these houses do is mostly the curb-cuts breaking up the sidewalk, and those could go away quite easily.

What will be harder to deal with are podium-parking areas, since they'll be difficult to re-purpose and you can't demolish them without taking out the above ground building. I expect that ultimately they might end up being rented out to the automated car companies for storage.

[Austinlee]

Originally Posted by chucka

We knew something was coming when Pitt bought the parking lot earlier this year.

Finally that parcel will be put to its best possible use. That's great news.

[Austinlee]

Originally Posted by eschaton

No doubt. I presume that garages in these new rowhouses could eventually be converted into large windowed areas, similar to what you now see in old storefronts which have been converted into homes. The real damage these houses do is mostly the curb-cuts breaking up the sidewalk, and those could go away quite easily.

What will be harder to deal with are podium-parking areas, since they'll be difficult to re-purpose and you can't demolish them without taking out the above ground building. I expect that ultimately they might end up being rented out to the automated car companies for storage.

Good point. Podium parking will become the museums of 20th century transport.

[photoLith]

Don't think this has been posted yet. Pretty freaking cool though. They're painting a public mural all on Strawberry Way downtown and it's done now I believe. Strawberry Way I've always thought could be a cool alleyway with pubs and cafés. Looks like they've also blocked off the street to traffic permanently, so maybe there's plans on making it cool for night life. Anyways photos are on this link and I'm def taking photos of it Sunday.

http://www.nextpittsburgh.com/city-desig...ntowns-newest-public-art-piece-can-walk/

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by photoLith

Don't think this has been posted yet. Pretty freaking cool though. They're painting a public mural all on Strawberry Way downtown and it's done now I believe. Strawberry Way I've always thought could be a cool alleyway with pubs and cafés. Looks like they've also blocked off the street to traffic permanently, so maybe there's plans on making it cool for night life. Anyways photos are on this link and I'm def taking photos of it Sunday.

http://www.nextpittsburgh.com/city-desig...ntowns-newest-public-art-piece-can-walk/

I like that part of Strawberry Way has been turned into a pedestrian-only street. I wish the street had an active use though. Like if those early 19th century rowhouses tucked away inside were used for a sidewalk cafe instead of men's custom suit shop.

[Austinlee]

Originally Posted by photoLith

Don't think this has been posted yet. Pretty freaking cool though. They're painting a public mural all on Strawberry Way downtown and it's done now I believe. Strawberry Way I've always thought could be a cool alleyway with pubs and cafés. Looks like they've also blocked off the street to traffic permanently, so maybe there's plans on making it cool for night life. Anyways photos are on this link and I'm def taking photos of it Sunday.

http://www.nextpittsburgh.com/city-desig...ntowns-newest-public-art-piece-can-walk/

Originally Posted by eschaton

I like that part of Strawberry Way has been turned into a pedestrian-only street. I wish the street had an active use though. Like if those early 19th century rowhouses tucked away inside were used for a sidewalk cafe instead of men's custom suit shop.

I think Strawberry Way has been pedestrian only for decades, no? I used to walk it with my classmates around '99-2001.

[AFW523]

Originally Posted by Jonboy1983

It seems that Pittsburgh wants to put all its eggs in the basket of Lyft and Uber. That will not be the end all - be all solution of Pittsburgh's almost complete lack of transportation infrastructure. Granted, as you said, it will take a lot more than $50 million to fix Pittsburgh's network. I get your points; they are quite valid, but anyone with the right mindset could at least get the ball rolling with that. Maybe they could use it to research and devise a real plan to fix our transit situation. I'd like to see a combination of bus-rapid transit routes along with extending the T network -- or at least doing something with the T so that the system actually functions more like a metro rather than a glorified streetcar system...

Originally Posted by eschaton

I like that part of Strawberry Way has been turned into a pedestrian-only street. I wish the street had an active use though. Like if those early 19th century rowhouses tucked away inside were used for a sidewalk cafe instead of men's custom suit shop.

Charlotte has something similar to that feeling in uptown.

Although it comes off a bit touristy and manufactured because of the relative newness of it, it still utilitarian for the reasons you mention.

I particularly like a lot of the alleyways in town, but agree that this would be a nifty addition. The cultural district has probably reached a critical mass during peak hours to try and pull of an experiment like this.

[photoLith]

Originally Posted by Austinlee

I think Strawberry Way has been pedestrian only for decades, no? I used to walk it with my classmates around '99-2001.

No, you could drive your car down it, I remember doing so until its been closed off recently for construction. I walked on Strawberry Way last night, I dont think it will be permanently pedestrian. The pedestrian guard thingys they have on the street that look permanent I could pick up so I think its just temporary until the paint dries on the street.

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by photoLith

No, you could drive your car down it, I remember doing so until its been closed off recently for construction. I walked on Strawberry Way last night, I dont think it will be permanently pedestrian. The pedestrian guard thingys they have on the street that look permanent I could pick up so I think its just temporary until the paint dries on the street.

The last block of Strawberry Way has been converted into a permanent pedestrian street, IIRC. There's only a sidewalk cut at the intersection with Grant. Cars can still travel on the remainder however.

[AFW523]

9th Ward Infill Project

Lawrenceville Corp's Letter of Concern

I loathe the garages so I'd like to see them successful in that opposition. Setback concerns down there seem minimal because it's such a hodgepodge to begin with. Including the structure directly east of this one...which I believe was at one time a school back in the early part of the 20th century and is either going to get wiped out completely or redone. Overall however I will say that it is at least seems like a step in the right direction from a tastefulness standpoint and perhaps will start the ball rolling away from all of this psuedo-modern, fish out of water stuff they insist on building. That ridiculous glowworm house they built on 44th street will probably sit there until the studs rot.