PITTSBURGH | Development Rundown II

[TBone7281]

Originally Posted by The North One

The Hyperloop is a fantasy, I wouldn't hold my breath.

It's ridiculous what this country comes up with just to avoid the topic of high-speed rail.

The hyperloop concept is cool, but the idea that Pittsburgh would be one of the first to get it reminds me of the hype surrounding the possibility of getting a Maglev back in the 90's. I hope it happens, but seems like a stretch for the time being.

[BrianTH]

The first phase of Arsenal 201 has opened. They SAY they got rid of all the old cannonballs, but I wouldn't turn my subwoofer up too high . . . .

https://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/n...vil-war-era-cannonballs-safely-gone.html

http://www.arsenal201.com/

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

The first phase of Arsenal 201 has opened. They SAY they got rid of all the old cannonballs, but I wouldn't turn my subwoofer up too high . . . .

https://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/n...vil-war-era-cannonballs-safely-gone.html

http://www.arsenal201.com/

I ride by the site on my bike all the time. The only group of apartments done now are the smaller, townhouse-style ones on 39th Street. The Butler Street apartment building is topped out, and they're beginning to put on the brick facade. The third building in the interior of the complex looks like it's going to get another 1-2 stories before the framing is finished.

[photoLith]

I hope they preserved some of the cannonballs for the Heinz History Center or something and didn't just throw them all away.

Originally Posted by BrianTH

That's because the basic logic of it is pretty compelling--putting the vehicles in low-pressure tubes solves a lot of the practical problems associated with conventional open-air high-speed rail.

I kinda doubt that the practical problems associated with open-air rail come anywhere close to the practical problems associated with building and maintaining hundreds of miles of evacuated tubes. As somebody who works with high-vacuum technology, it's difficult enough to maintain a vacuum in a laboratory where the environment is controlled.

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by IWant2BeInSTL

I kinda doubt that the practical problems associated with open-air rail come anywhere close to the practical problems associated with building and maintaining hundreds of miles of evacuated tubes. As somebody who works with high-vacuum technology, it's difficult enough to maintain a vacuum in a laboratory where the environment is controlled.

I honestly think that getting the ROW would be the most difficult problem by far. Given the speed of travel, you'd want as close to a straight line as possible, meaning that if even one property owner along a route didn't offer access the project would be totally boned.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by IWant2BeInSTL

I kinda doubt that the practical problems associated with open-air rail come anywhere close to the practical problems associated with building and maintaining hundreds of miles of evacuated tubes. As somebody who works with high-vacuum technology, it's difficult enough to maintain a vacuum in a laboratory where the environment is controlled.

They've already got a working full scale test loop. I gather it helps that although some people keep referring to it as a vacuum system, more properly it might be called just a really low pressure system:

https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/253608-hyperloop-one-hits-almost-200-mph-demo-pod

Somewhere in that distinction is apparently the margin for error they claim they need to make this practical.

[Steel City Scotty]

This article shares more information (and some of the concerns) about the proposed development at the intersection of Forward and Murray avenues in Squirrel Hill.

http://www.nextpittsburgh.com/city-design/5800-forward-avenue/

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by eschaton

I honestly think that getting the ROW would be the most difficult problem by far. Given the speed of travel, you'd want as close to a straight line as possible, meaning that if even one property owner along a route didn't offer access the project would be totally boned.

I think they can actually make gentle curves relatively easily, and they are helped by the fact you can elevate the tube and leave the surface relatively undisturbed.

That said, I think as with pipelines and such, they are suggesting they might have to use eminent domain. And that's one of the reasons Chicago-Columbus-Pittsburgh actually has some appeal as an early project--it is a lot cheaper to exercise eminent domain when passing through farms and forests and such.

Originally Posted by BrianTH

They've already got a working full scale test loop. I gather it helps that although some people keep referring to it as a vacuum system, more properly it might be called just a really low pressure system:

https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/253608-hyperloop-one-hits-almost-200-mph-demo-pod

Somewhere in that distinction is apparently the margin for error they claim they need to make this practical.

so they're shooting for around a thousandth of an atmosphere. that's not that high of a vacuum, but if you're evacuating a tube that's hundreds of miles long you have to have LOTS of pumps pumping continuously. that's a huge power draw. plus the structural concerns associated with pressure differentials.

anyway, i have no doubt they can build it. the question is, is it more practical than high speed trains? or does it offer a substantial-enough leap in efficiency to justify the infrastructure costs? maybe so, but i'm skeptical.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by IWant2BeInSTL

so they're shooting for around a thousandth of an atmosphere. that's not that high of a vacuum, but if you're evacuating a tube that's hundreds of miles long you have to have LOTS of pumps pumping continuously. that's a huge power draw. plus the structural concerns associated with pressure differentials.

anyway, i have no doubt they can build it. the question is, is it more practical than high speed trains? or does it offer a substantial-enough leap in efficiency to justify the infrastructure costs? maybe so, but i'm skeptical.

I agree they will need to add the pumping load to the energy calculations, and balance that against the reduced cost of air friction.

However, if they can use that energy investment to reach speeds like 600-700 MPH, now you can compete with more airplanes on the long end, and more cars on the short end. And airplanes and cars are not very energy efficient.

HSR is a much tougher competitor when it comes to energy-efficiency. But the point is if the higher speeds lead to a lot more airplane and car replacement, the net energy efficiency gains could be a lot higher, even if it doesn't beat HSR itself.

[BrianTH]

Article on progress at Mill 19, which is aiming to be the coolest building in Pittsburgh (and they may well pull it off):

http://www.post-gazette.com/business/dev...for-former-LTV-site/stories/201708070131

[Gilamonster]

Two small bits of downtown development news. The Distrikt Hotel had a valet stationed outside today,and no construction workers visible so I assume it is now open. Also, the cranes have left 350 Oliver so the condos will be coming at a later date, but the prefab pieces of concrete for the garage must all be in place.

[TBone7281]

Nothing new development-wise, but Wolf was in town yesterday touring the Almono site.

http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2017/08/07/jl-steel-mill-hazelwood-development/

Edit: Same news as the Post Gazette article, just from KDKA.

[BrianTH]

Speaking of coolest buildings, they have begun construction on the South Side Terminal and Highline project:

http://www.nextpittsburgh.com/city-desig...side-terminal-building-highline-project/

Supposedly next July the elevated park might open:







There were some interesting comments about their retail plans as well:

Besides office space, the property will look to attract 100,000 square feet of retail, including 15,000 square feet along East Carson. Another stretch of retail will be along S. 4th St. near Bingham St. and the nearby, trail-facing “railyards” portion (where trains used to arrive to transport newly imported goods to the surrounding areas).
Rudolph says they want to shy away from the negative aspects of South Side nightlife and have so far held discussions with local bakeries, fitness centers, bike and kayak rentals and even craft breweries about setting up shop in the space. . . .

The Highline will terminate at the second floor of the 15,000-square-foot powerhouse building. Rudolph envisions the riverfront structure as two-story restaurant space, possibly with separate concepts on either floor. “It screams out waterfront eating,” he says.

[chiaroscuro]

Originally Posted by Gilamonster

Two small bits of downtown development news. The Distrikt Hotel had a valet stationed outside today,and no construction workers visible so I assume it is now open. Also, the cranes have left 350 Oliver so the condos will be coming at a later date, but the prefab pieces of concrete for the garage must all be in place.

https://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/n...ok-distrikt-hotel-pittsburgh-debuts.html

[Brentsters]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Article on progress at Mill 19, which is aiming to be the coolest building in Pittsburgh (and they may well pull it off):

http://www.post-gazette.com/business/dev...for-former-LTV-site/stories/201708070131

Almono recently hosted a bike tour and some BikePgh board users talk about plans for the site and also posted pictures.

Regarding connections to Junction Hollow and Oakland, I heard that negotiations between the city, CSX, and AVR went nowhere. ALMONO mentioned a possible aerial tram connecting Oakland, ALMONO, and Southside. Hmmm! They’re also planning an autonomous shuttle bus circulating through Hazelwood and ALMONO.

Source

The tour guides mentioned that the developers are considering the possibility to build a gondola to connect ALMONO to Oakland.

Source

[BrianTH]

An aerial gondola from Oakland through ALMONO to the South Side would be a perfect place to try out the technology.

[BrianTH]

The Pittsburgh Athletic Association has a beautiful building in Oakland. It is also bankrupt. So, now they are looking at what to do with the building:



http://www.post-gazette.com/business/dev...in-Oakland-bankrupt/stories/201708080094

The bankrupt Pittsburgh Athletic Association in Oakland has received 10 proposals from parties interested in the group’s iconic clubhouse on Fifth Avenue, according to documents filed in bankruptcy court this week. A buyer or development partner is being sought for the structure, one that would ideally allow the association to remain in the building opened in 1911 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The deadline for proposals was July 26. “The proposals are currently being analyzed … to determine the highest and best offer, while taking into consideration the interests of the creditor body and the PAA members,” the filing said.

A hotel is going in right behind the PAA:

http://www.post-gazette.com/business/dev...set-to-open-in-2018/stories/201702210043



Even if the PAA remains a tenant (which might be up to the creditors), I'd like to see most of the building get some sort of use open to the public.

[Minivan Werner]

I've never been in the PAA but I have it pictured as like a museum of weightlifting and athletic equipment.