Manchester's future (Pittsburgh: houses, neighborhoods, homebuyer)

[pman]

found this thread
http://www.city-data.com/forum/pitts...-future-5.html

and was wondering what people's thoughts are, three years later, with the casino open, and the NSC getting closer to being a reality?

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt.../s_697556.html

[PreservationPioneer]

I think Manchester is on its way to becoming an extension of the revitalized areas of the North Side -- Allegheny West and the War Streets. It's not there yet, but there are some beautiful streets with gorgeous homes.

[rhondee]

I walked through the casino this past Sunday to get to the riverfront trail ( I don't gamble, though ) and I'm telling you, it was mid-afternoon and the place was PACKED!!

[BrianTH]

The potential is there but I suspect it will take a while. Anyway, here is an interesting recent article:

Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation » 7 Homebuyers Sold on Manchester Vision

[Tiger Beer]

I think you'd need something on the 'other' side of Manchester to make Manchester desireable again. No doubt that the casino/downtown proximity is great on the one side...but something seems quite quiet and desolate in Manchester itself - and something interesting built on the other side of it would put it in a pocket within itself that might quickly revitalize it.

(Just my take on it after exploring all over that area on my recent visit to Pittsburgh).

[Renaldo5000]

Haha, I had a friend who put in an electrical service on two rowhouses that an older couple bought in Manchester for an "investment". It was stripped a few days after my friend did the work.

[Aqua Teen Carl]

My girlfriend's parents live in Manchester. I've spent alot of time in that neighborhood and I've seen two types of people that live there:

1. People who work hard wanting to admire and restore the beautiful homes in the area.
2. People who are living off the government dime with no intention to work a day in their life.

One of these groups outnumbers the other. Her parents say that it's exactly the way it was in the neighborhood when they moved in 10 years ago. Not that the area is a violent or scary place (I feel safer there than in Carrick), most of the people there are really nice. However, drugs run rampant in the area and apparently they have for some time.

[pman]

well, a rising tide lifts all boats. IF the population is increasing and IF downtown is turning a corner, then neighborhoods near it will also benefit. OTOH, the Mexican War Streets may need ti improve a little more to have a spillover effect. one thing the city could do is fund the allegheny commons master plan, parks generally have a positive impact, at least on the portion of the neighborhood closest to the park and the stadiums...but you gotta start somewheres. the war streets and manchester remind me very much of Philly's "near north side." That area has been slow to change, the area closest to the park and highway, fairmount, went first, then the area with more public housing called spring garden (also a historic district with housing not totally dissimilar to what we're talking about here), and last is the eastern portion of the neighborhood where the projects are. thso projects were downsized in the 90's to 1/4 of the population they once were so the impact they have is smaller, but it still hurts. a lot of neighborhoods further from downtown went first. those neighborhoods are also cut off by 676. OTOH, 676 is sunk so is less invasive than an elevated highway. manchester is somewhat isolated, from a pedestrian perspective.

[BrianTH]

Yeah, Manchester's relative isolation doesn't help. But I do think once the core North Side (past the highways) is mostly redeveloped, Manchester will come along. In other words, that is the second amenity it needs--a rejuvenated North Side core.

[slamont61]

Any developement on the North Side is way over due. I can remember when one had to drive through just to get to the north hills, now it's an elevated highway ride over it. Almost no reason to stumble by. The Manchester area was left far too long as it was and will need time to rebound. With the current down-turn in the economy the change could take longer and be a harder fight to take on. It will happen - someday. The casino will be probably going through renovations by then...