PITTSBURGH | Development Rundown II

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by Steel City Scotty

I was just about to ask for a general consensus on this board as to how many people support this Washington Monument scaffolding idea compared to how many think it's ridiculous.

I'd say it is a question of cost. I wouldn't dump tens of millions of local dollars into this project. But if you can get most of the labor and materials donated, or at a very reduced cost, such that the total public cost is modest--then why not? I certainly think it would be a very interesting monument, and I think Pittsburgh could benefit by playing up both its historic connections to Washington the man, and its current connections to Washington the city.

[themaguffin]

I just don't know what to think about it. In itself, it's a cool thing.

But DC ain't that far away and people might scratch their heads why replicate it... I like the concept of the lit scaffolding though.

Why not commission an artist to do something big and unique...?

[themaguffin]

In the PG, more on downtown's low vacancy rate...

http://www.post-gazette.com/in-the-l...s/201405150087


5.2%...

Tighter than New York (12.8 percent vacancy rate), Boston (11.1 percent), Chicago (14.3 percent), Los Angeles (19.2 percent), San Francisco (9 percent), Seattle (12.9 percent), Austin (14.5 percent), Dallas (23.9 percent), Denver (12.7 percent), Charlotte (8 percent), Cincinnati (23.5 percent) and Columbus (16.1 percent).

At the same time, Oxford Development Co. is still trying to decide whether to renovate its seven-story 441 Smithfield St. property or tear it down and build new at the location. Either way, it could provide more top-shelf office space Downtown.

Burns & Scalo Real Estate Services is proposing to build a new office high-rise on Fort Pitt Boulevard near the Smithfield Street Bridge once it is able to land an anchor tenant.

One project that won't help the office crunch much is PNC Financial Services Group's new 33-story Tower at PNC Plaza being built on Wood Street between Forbes and Fifth Avenue. It will be used exclusively by employees of the bank.

Although it's not Downtown, a new three-story retail and office building is scheduled to be completed on the North Shore in October. The developer, Continental Real Estate Cos., launched the project without any office tenants in hand.

That's, 3 whole stories to help the tight market - a boldly moving without a tenant!

[Evergrey]

I think the Washington scaffolding thing is the type of gimmicky idea that makes Pittsburgh look desperate... and would end up being an object of ridicule and embarrassment similar to that weird statue on CMU's campus. 575 ft of scaffolding? really???

Pittsburgh should instead focus on its one-of-a-kind natural setting and rich architectural heritage as opposed to Vegas-style "look at me" fake landmarks. The North Shore is already littered with statues (such as the bizarre Fred Rogers mud monster).

[Private Dick]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

I'd say it is a question of cost. I wouldn't dump tens of millions of local dollars into this project. But if you can get most of the labor and materials donated, or at a very reduced cost, such that the total public cost is modest--then why not? I certainly think it would be a very interesting monument, and I think Pittsburgh could benefit by playing up both its historic connections to Washington the man, and its current connections to Washington the city.

Exactly. This was the motivation for bringing the scaffolding to Pittsburgh -- having the two cities that represented the historical beginning and end of George Washington's story most prominently. And it certainly would do that while making a bold statement about the connections between the two cities, and strengthening the existing connections... which would be a major win for Pittsburgh. Great beginning/end points for the Great Allegheny Passage/C&O Towpath between downtown Pittsburgh and DC. This has tourism written all over it... I can hear it now... the stone of DC to the steel of Pittsburgh.

Originally Posted by themaguffin

I just don't know what to think about it. In itself, it's a cool thing.

But DC ain't that far away and people might scratch their heads why replicate it... I like the concept of the lit scaffolding though.

Why not commission an artist to do something big and unique...?

Something big and unique would cost big and unique money... and Pittsburgh ain't got it.

For all of the complaints about the shit short garbage architecture built/being built on the "North Shore", I don't see how a proposal like this that would make a very dramatic statement with design and height isn't welcomed with open arms. The scaffolding looked very cool in both day and night in DC, and would also be very cool in Pittsburgh.

"The company would own and maintain it, he said.
Peduto would like the tower to mark the Allegheny Passage, a bike trail from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C. He called the scaffolding, specially designed by a renowned New York architect, a work of art.
A trucking company has volunteered to ship the 37 miles of aluminum tubing to Pittsburgh. A local ironworkers union has volunteered to erect it and an engineering and lighting firm has offered to do the engineering and site location work for free, Peduto said."

Federal govt donation, private ownership/maintenance, MGA design, free transportation, construction, engineering, lighting, and huge international publicity for the city of Pittsburgh... how is there any debate?

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by themaguffin

But DC ain't that far away and people might scratch their heads why replicate it...

I think the possible negative implications include that we are just imitating DC, just getting DC's hand-me-downs, and so forth.

The possible positive implications include that Pittsburgh and DC are more closely tied than many people realize. Peduto is talking about this in connection with the bike trail--and promoting that is an independently worthy goal--but I think there is a broader point to be made as well.

Finally, I'd note that the whole "creative re-use" notion is a very big deal these days, particularly with younger folks, and that personally leans me in the direction of thinking this would be a good thing for Pittsburgh's branding as a hip, forward-thinking, green city.

Why not commission an artist to do something big and unique...?

We've actually got a lot of public art in Pittsburgh already, and we should definitely be looking at doing some more. I'd suggest the main appeal to this being one of those projects is a combination of cost-effectiveness (a brand new project of similar scale would likely be much more expensive), and the aforementioned branding opportunities (closer ties to DC, creative reuse, etc.).

[BrianTH]

A PA company has bought Meadows from a Las Vegas company for $465M:

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/wa...s/201405140175

Sort of a sign of the times with respect to the shifting center of gravity in the gaming industry, and a vote of confidence for the local economy as well.

[BrianTH]

Interesting aside in this article about the large number of bars per capita in Pittsburgh:

http://www.post-gazette.com/in-the-l...s/201405150065

Jim Mitchell, whose family created Mitchell's Restaurant, Bar and Banquet Center, Downtown more than 100 years ago, said he's surprised the bar-to-person ratio is so high given Allegheny County's drink tax and the statewide smoking ban, as well as the overall tough economy. "I've seen a lot of places go out of business," Mr. Mitchell said. "There aren't too many independents left, especially running bars and restaurants Downtown."

Gee, it is almost like the premise that the drink tax and smoking ban would have a strong negative impact on the local bar trade was unfounded, and that to the extent bars and restaurants are going out of business BUT being replaced by others, that is just the normal churn to be expected in competitive economies.

[SkyPittsburgh]

To answer the question, "Where is this three crossings going?" I might have found an answer. When talking about possible tenants, they mentioned, "Between 25th & 27th and Railroad & Smallman."

Still a little confusing, that's only 8.25 acres, but it is the same area. http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburg...crossings.html

[Minivan Werner]

I think the scaffolding idea is cool, but, I don't know if there's a location on the north shore that would do it justice.

The Washington Monument is in the middle of the Mall with the reflecting pond and everything. The scaffolding would be.. next to Heinz field?

It would probably look better at the point. Maybe find a cooler name for it than scaffolding too, which sounds kinda junky. Call it the Washington Monument Exoskeleton or something lol

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by Minivan Werner

I think the scaffolding idea is cool, but, I don't know if there's a location on the north shore that would do it justice.

If it includes an observation deck, the one huge advantage to a North Shore location is that there doesn't currently exist a high-up view of Downtown from that angle.

[BrianTH]

Some interesting comments from Jonathan Holtzman, CEO of Village Green, at their groundbreaking for their Bloomfield project:

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburg....html?page=all

Village Green CEO Jonathan Holtzman quoted the architect, inventor and futurist Buckminster Fuller about how a car sits idle for 23 hours a day as he explained the appeal of the apartment developer's new $35-million Morrow Park City Apartments complex. “What’s so great about developments like this is it’s changing that thinking,” said Holtzman. “The strategy of this apartment project is to get out and walk.”

Also:

Holtzman told the assembl[y] Village Green is considering other projects in Pittsburgh, but he did not divulge specifics. He told me he sees new housing and apartments as a missing component for Pittsburgh. “I’m here because I really love the direction of Pittsburgh,” he said. “Why is Village Green here? You don’t have cool apartments. You’re biggest problem is you need housing.”

Continental, the Penguins, and Buncher should be forced to take seminars from this guy.

[DBR96A]

Regarding the Washington Monument scaffolding, I don't see a problem with it. There seems to be enough grass-roots support that rebuilding it in Pittsburgh wouldn't cost too much. Also, since Pittsburgh has up-high views from the south, east and west, it'd be nice to have an up-high view from the north as well. Maybe it could be called the Washington Panorama or something like that.

My only question is, is there a way this structure can be reinforced to include an elevator and an observation deck or two?

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by DBR96A

My only question is, is there a way this structure can be reinforced to include an elevator and an observation deck or two?

When it was being used to repair the Monument, it had an external elevator, internal stairs, and motorized work decks which could accommodate up to 20 workers at a time (presumably with a equipment, materials, and such). That implies to me it is likely strong enough for a modest observation deck and elevator bank, although it might have to be configured pretty differently to make it suitable for tourists (including being ADA compliant).

The good news is that without the Monument in the middle, you might have some good spaces to work with--even at the base of the pyramidion, it is about 34.5 feet, and with the gap between the Monument and the scaffolding, you are talking about around a 40-foot square internal space. I'd think that was more than enough room for at least a couple (or more) small but ADA-compliant elevators, and an indoor/outdoor deck.

[BrianTH]

The Union Trust Building is staying office/retail, but getting a big makeover:

http://www.post-gazette.com/business...s/201405150268

Mr. Davis said his company plans to rehabilitate the vacant office space in the building, which opened in 1917, to bring it up to modern standards, perhaps adding lofts on some floors. “We’re taking our cues from buildings of the same era in places like New York and Chicago that have paid homage to the past but created younger, more energized spaces,” he said.

While the building is more than half vacant, with Siemens as the primary tenant, Mr. Davis said experts have told him the improvements could make a big difference. “The building is so architecturally important that, despite the fact it’s 100 years old, there’s a strong belief among brokers that if we do a high quality job, it will command class A rents,” he said. One target, he added, will be the fast-growing, tech-based companies that have been popping up in Pittsburgh. “We hope to do something new, interesting and intriguing that will attract some of those companies Downtown,” he said.

I'm bummed it isn't going to be a luxury hotel, but I was reminded of this recent article:

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer...aesthetic.html

Snippet:

To woo tech firms, property managers have been transforming their buildings into what's called "creative tier 1" office space — a category that comprises buildings that are well located and packed with amenities, but have history and quirk, and an aesthetic appeal that goes beyond the traditional glass-and-steel façade. Airbnb's office — a former Jewelry Mart on Brannan Street that has been retooled as a wacky start-up nirvana — qualifies, as does Twitter's mid-Market office, which used to be a furniture store.

These rustic, neo-industrial buildings command a higher price than traditional upscale office space — up to $65 per square foot, compared to $50 or so for a typical tier 1 building, according to Georgules — but there are many fewer of them to go around.

Lots of potential for that sort of thing in Pittsburgh (Bakery Square being an example)--and good reason to be VERY cautious about tearing down any historic buildings that can be similarly repurposed.

[guyFROMtheBURGH]

Peduto may propose name change for the Urban Redevelopment Authority

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburg...a.html?ana=twt

(H/T @Billpeduto)

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by guyFROMtheBURGH

Peduto may propose name change for the Urban Redevelopment Authority

As noted in the article, he could have even more than a name change in mind--maybe a restructuring, or at least a big policy shift:

“Instead of re-upping the URA, and creating this huge organization, what we want to do is put the resources out to the organizations that are on the front line,” said Peduto.

[photoLith]

Developer has plans to bring back Union Trust Building's grandeur

The Union Trust Building, Downtown, is getting ready for a comeback.

Brass is being polished, the ceramic tile is being restored and the new owner, The Davis Companies, has plans to bring back the grandeur of the iconic Grant Street building built nearly a century ago by industrialist Henry Clay Frick, while adding 21st century upgrades.

“The way we look at this is that we’re launching this building into its second century,” said Jonathan Davis, CEO and founder.

While the Boston-based real estate investment and development firm toyed with the idea of converting the building to residential or hotel space, it ultimately decided to keep the structure as an office complex, with a healthy dose of retail, Mr. Davis said Wednesday.

“The geometry of the building does not lay out well for multifamily or a hotel,” he noted.

http://www.post-gazette.com/business...s/201405150268

[mikebarbaro]

Story regarding the timeline of finishing the Mon-Fayette Beltway: http://www.post-gazette.com/in-the-l...s/201405150085

The interesting part is where they state the effect that beltways have on urban cores.

[GeneW]

Originally Posted by mikebarbaro

Story regarding the timeline of finishing the Mon-Fayette Beltway: http://www.post-gazette.com/in-the-l...s/201405150085

The interesting part is where they state the effect that beltways have on urban cores.

Man, that project just won't die.