PITTSBURGH | Development Rundown III

[Urbanthusiat]

Originally Posted by guyFROMtheBURGH

Per Pittsburgh Business Times, a new R&D center will open at Stacks at 3 Crossings for the CMU spin off. They'll be training surgical robots there. The future is here, people!

https://www.bizjournals.com/pittsbur..._news_headline

I also like to see this in the article: "Oxford also confirmed it has another projected lined up for 3 Crossings, a third office building designed by WTW Architects called 2 Hopper Place."

[BrianTH]

City Paper article discussing the Busway system, including potential for expansion and TOD:

https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsbu...t?oid=14594516

[Austinlee]

Originally Posted by summersm343

I think these developments will be pretty big with those who work in the service industry. Waiters, bartenders, etc.

They're doing two great looking projects in Philly:

Looks great. We'll take some of that.

[summersm343]

Originally Posted by Austinlee

Looks great. We'll take some of that.

Yeah, they seem to do well thought out urban designs in most of the cities they’re growing in. So I would say expect something along those lines for Pittsburgh too.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by Austinlee

Looks great. We'll take some of that.

Hmm, not enough orange.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by summersm343

Yeah, they seem to do well thought out urban designs in most of the cities they’re growing in. So I would say expect something along those lines for Pittsburgh too.

Interestingly, they look quite nice and yet not particularly expensive.

I was told that was not possible . . . .

[themaguffin]

The county estimates come out later this week (and of course the metro as a result).

I don't think the recent trends are good though for the metro. Hopefully, it will be better than expected though.

[BrianTH]

"Fulton Commons, combining a kitchen incubator, coworking space and artist studios" is in development in Manchester:

https://www.nextpittsburgh.com/lates...e-this-summer/

About 150 memberships for Fulton Commons will be available, including 30 kitchen spots (starting at $650 per month) and 15 artist workshops (starting at $350 per month). Coworking users will pay between $125 to $400 per month, depending on the accommodations they need. In addition to physical space, all members will receive business planning guidance.

“And they’ll enjoy going to work,” Irwin Mendelssohn says. Right now it’s just stud walls and dusty floors. But by the end of the summer, this should be a site mixing old-school charm with modern amenities. The original structure was built in the 1940s and, until recently, served as the Western Pennsylvania headquarters of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Thanks to dozens of large windows, both floors are bathed in natural light. The basement kitchen is equipped with prep tables, storage space and new appliances including a walk-in freezer.

The main floor coworking area will be separated into different sections the Mendelssohns describe as “neighborhoods,” each with its own decor and storefront-style entrance. The Mendelssohns also envision a café area where on-site food purveyors and craftspeople can sell their wares. The pair researched similar facilities across the country and combined that knowledge with their own business experience. They believe Pittsburgh needs this kind of three-tiered space due to its growing restaurant industry and art scene, along with the trend toward flexible work spaces.

Location:

https://www.google.com/maps/search/s.../data=!3m1!1e3

I note this is not too far from where Esplanade will be located. Smart developers might well be planning to leverage that.

[BrianTH]

Wightman Park in Squirrel Hill (the one between the CVS and the Carriage House) is getting a nice redo, with the City paying less than half thanks to it being designed to capture stormwater:

https://www.nextpittsburgh.com/lates...er-management/

The renovations will cost $4.2 million, with $2 million coming from the city budget. Another $1.2 million comes from the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, $500,000 from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Community Conservation Partnerships Program and $500,000 from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund.

[themaguffin]

Interesting Brian.

[themaguffin]

Wightman Park in Squirrel Hill (the one between the CVS and the Carriage House) is getting a nice redo, with the City paying less than half thanks to it being designed to capture stormwater:

Nice!

[BobMcKelvin]

I flew the London to Pittsburgh flight yesterday on British Airways. Anecdotal experience (I only flew it in one direction) that I will share.

Long delay before boarding as crew was “performing final checks” but arrived in Pgh on time. It was mostly empty, I estimate 80-85% empty seats. Crew was very friendly and attentive. Hopefully it catches on with time and the warmer weather. Nice writeup in their seatback magazine “High Life” on trendy Pittsburgh food. Later I’ll see if I can find a digital version to post here

Has anyone else flown it? Seeing that many empty seats worries me.

[Wave]

Having flown on a Tuesday (second slowest air travel day of the week) in April only weeks into the launch of the flight, I am not too surprised the flight was that empty. I looked at the next two Sundays and it appears from viewing seat selection that both of those flights are at least 60% full. A quick glance at summer bookings in July and August show pretty decent advance bookings so far. and summer prices are very reasonable on certain dates (under $1000 RT).

Originally Posted by BobMcKelvin

I flew the London to Pittsburgh flight yesterday on British Airways. Anecdotal experience (I only flew it in one direction) that I will share.

Long delay before boarding as crew was “performing final checks” but arrived in Pgh on time. It was mostly empty, I estimate 80-85% empty seats. Crew was very friendly and attentive. Hopefully it catches on with time and the warmer weather. Nice writeup in their seatback magazine “High Life” on trendy Pittsburgh food. Later I’ll see if I can find a digital version to post here

Has anyone else flown it? Seeing that many empty seats worries me.

[eschaton]

New Planning Commission presentation for next week is up. Only two new items:

1. Renovations to the Mt. Washington Carnegie Library at 315 Grandview. This was already covered in great detail in this month's historic review commission presentation, though there are a few additional renderings here. It's a small project overall, but will be a nice addition to the neighborhood.

2. The substantial new project is construction of a new three-story 85,000 square foot flex building on the last large vacant plot in the Pittsburgh Technology Center. The building - by Elmhurst - is unimaginatively called the "Elmhurst Innovation Center." It appears to be built on spec, with room for up to eight small tenants. The building will be designed by Desmone, and honestly, between the corrugated metal siding and the slanted roof, looks more like a reskinned old mill building than office space. This may be by design however, to allow for the use of the space - which is called "mixed use" - for engineering and R&D uses which require more open floor space. Honestly the scale isn't as large as I would like for the area - certainly doesn't look as intensive as allowed by zoning - but it's good to see PTC finally filling in.

[Urbanthusiat]

Originally Posted by eschaton

2. The substantial new project is construction of a new three-story 85,000 square foot flex building on the last large vacant plot in the Pittsburgh Technology Center.

Looks fine to me. PTC will never be a walkable area and this kind of building is useful for robotics/engineering research. Good jobs. Not sexy on the outside, but I personally wouldn't call it ugly either. Should be some good stuff happening inside.

[eschaton]

5/9 ZBA is also up:

1. Conversion of this building in the Strip District into a mixed-use building, with "recreation and entertainment (indoor)" and residential.

2. Another plan to replace this building on Ellsworth with a new three-story mixed-use structure.

3. Four infill townhouses in...Elliott? Approximately in this location. These homes are literally right next to the West End Overlook, which I suppose makes it possible the views alone warrant unsubsidized new construction infill.

4. A plan to demolish this ugly mid-century home in East Liberty and replace it with a new stand of four three-story modern townhouses.

5. A plan to open up a small distillery in a rear structure off of East Warrington in Allentown.

[BrianTH]

We're using Condor's flight to Frankfurt again this summer.

The British Airways flight seems pricey to us in comparison, but so did the Delta flight to Paris. I am sorta assuming it will depend on business travelers.

[PghYinzer]

Originally Posted by BobMcKelvin

I flew the London to Pittsburgh flight yesterday on British Airways. Anecdotal experience (I only flew it in one direction) that I will share.

Long delay before boarding as crew was “performing final checks” but arrived in Pgh on time. It was mostly empty, I estimate 80-85% empty seats. Crew was very friendly and attentive. Hopefully it catches on with time and the warmer weather. Nice writeup in their seatback magazine “High Life” on trendy Pittsburgh food. Later I’ll see if I can find a digital version to post here

Has anyone else flown it? Seeing that many empty seats worries me.

I head out next Friday at 9:50 pm from Pgh to London. I will report back on how full the plane is.

[photoLith]

Originally Posted by BobMcKelvin

I flew the London to Pittsburgh flight yesterday on British Airways. Anecdotal experience (I only flew it in one direction) that I will share.

Long delay before boarding as crew was “performing final checks” but arrived in Pgh on time. It was mostly empty, I estimate 80-85% empty seats. Crew was very friendly and attentive. Hopefully it catches on with time and the warmer weather. Nice writeup in their seatback magazine “High Life” on trendy Pittsburgh food. Later I’ll see if I can find a digital version to post here

Has anyone else flown it? Seeing that many empty seats worries me.

How much was the ticket?

[PITairport]

https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/...riday-62507675






https://www.post-gazette.com/local/r...s/201904180079