http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09133/969597-28.stm
Small park on the way at Three PNC
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
By Mark Belko, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
A small stamp of land now used for construction activity related to the new Three PNC Plaza office tower Downtown will morph into a midtown oasis in a matter of months.
PNC Financial Services Group laid out plans yesterday for an 8,000-square-foot park adjacent to the office tower that will connect the cultural district and Market Square.
"We think this space is going to be a jewel Downtown," Jack LaQuatra, principal of LaQuatra Bonci Associates, the architect on the project, said after briefing the planning commission.
Three PNC Triangle Park will border Fifth and Liberty avenues and Market Street. It will sit directly across the street from the entrance to the 185-room luxury hotel operated by Fairmont Hotels and Resort that will be housed in Three PNC Plaza.
Although on private land, the park will be open to the public.
It will feature a center lawn, pathways and benches on each side. A stainless steel structure will be built over the top of the benches on one side of the park to provide shade from the sun.
The benches will have armrests to prevent people from sleeping on them.
There will be LED lights embedded in the pavement and lights in the stainless steel structure. Combined, they will provide a "real soft glow" to the park at night, Mr. LaQuatra said.
The park also will be filled with trees, shrubs and seasonal flower beds.
"It's a passive park. It's meant to sit and read and have a conversation, relax. Have a cup of coffee," said Susan Golomb, vice president, PNC Realty Services, and former city planning director.
Ms. Golomb sees the park not only as an amenity for those at Three PNC Plaza but as "an amenity to the city" in much the same way as is the bank's First Side Park near its Firstside Center.
Construction is expected to start in early summer and be completed by late this fall. PNC currently is seeking bids on the project.
Ms. Golomb did not have a final cost estimate yesterday.
Mark Belko can be reached at
mbelko@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1262.