Ten Key Neighborhoods: Potential Realized (Pittsburgh, Lawrenceville: construction, mall, garden)

[ferrarisnowday]

Originally Posted by h_curtis

Maybe a 6-7. It is pretty small and doesn't have all that much in it other than the newly renovated Peppi's. I was just at that Peppi's by the way and they have an outside area in the back that I had no idea was so cool. If you are down that way, check that outside courtyard. I don't even know if they mention it to anyone, you just have to know it is there.

You really can't score a neighborhood lower due to it's size when talking about "potential". Size is a limiting factor that cannot be changed, I think Allegheny West is very close to living up to its potential.

Also, nothing much but Peppi's? There's a lot more than just Peppis:

Allgheny Sandwich Shop
Modern Cafe
Nicky's Thai Kitchen
The Little Deli
Giorgio's
Brix
Carmi's
Shamrock Inn
Lindo's

Not to mention a few small businesses like the book store, flower shop, and barber. There's also the chains like Subway, McDonald's, Wendy's, 7 - 11, and soon a Taco Bell.

All of that is in just 3 tenths of a mile, from Allgheny and Ridge to Western and Rope. And don't forget that Heinz Field, CCAC, and the Casino are practically on top of the neighborhood, too.

[nuwaver88]

Originally Posted by ferrarisnowday

You really can't score a neighborhood lower due to it's size when talking about "potential". Size is a limiting factor that cannot be changed, I think Allegheny West is very close to living up to its potential.

Also, nothing much but Peppi's? There's a lot more than just Peppis:

Allgheny Sandwich Shop
Modern Cafe
Nicky's Thai Kitchen
The Little Deli
Giorgio's
Brix
Carmi's
Shamrock Inn
Lindo's

Not to mention a few small businesses like the book store, flower shop, and barber. There's also the chains like Subway, McDonald's, Wendy's, 7 - 11, and soon a Taco Bell.

All of that is in just 3 tenths of a mile, from Allgheny and Ridge to Western and Rope. And don't forget that Heinz Field, CCAC, and the Casino are practically on top of the neighborhood, too.

Allegheny West by itself would get about a 7 on my scale. The corridor along Allegheny Avenue has some room for improvemment, but the neighborhoood is small and otherwise built out. The criteria for most potential is location, vacant properties and land, need for a more residential element. The North Side as a whole gets a 5, which leaves a ton of room for potential because it has all of the criteria. The Strip and Uptown get the lowest scores, with a 3 and 4 respectively because of they have all of the criteria, thus have the highest threshold of potential.

[ferrarisnowday]

I totally agree about the Strip. Penn Avenue is close to it's potential, but the Strip as a whole is failing miserably given that it has all the right conditions for success. It's not even residential, so it avoids a lot of the more difficult to solve issues, too.

[robrobrob]

Originally Posted by ferrarisnowday

I totally agree about the Strip. Penn Avenue is close to it's potential, but the Strip as a whole is failing miserably given that it has all the right conditions for success. It's not even residential, so it avoids a lot of the more difficult to solve issues, too.

I think for the Strip to make a lead it really needs to develop more rounded retail. By this I mean the Strip needs clothing stores, shoe stores, a drug store, etc.

[nuwaver88]

Originally Posted by robrobrob

I think for the Strip to make a lead it really needs to develop more rounded retail. By this I mean the Strip needs clothing stores, shoe stores, a drug store, etc.

I always thought a smaller scale South Side Works type of devlelopment might work in The Strip. Maybe a grocery store and a Walgreens etc. That would be further up Smallman and along the river actually. It would be away from the markets on Penn but would serve the new residential element that is planned.

[airwave09]

Originally Posted by nuwaver88

I always thought a smaller scale South Side Works type of devlelopment might work in The Strip. Maybe a grocery store and a Walgreens etc. That would be further up Smallman and along the river actually. It would be away from the markets on Penn but would serve the new residential element that is planned.

As long as it is designed to be an urban shopping center. Please nothing like the Giant Eagle shopping center off 20th street in the Southside. Yes, it works for where it is because its in a low-rise rowhouse residential area. However, a suburban style shopping center would look very out of place on prime land in the strip.

[ferrarisnowday]

I'd much rather see more organic growth in the strip. Even if chain retail is the direction it goes, I'd rather it end up more like Walnut street than the Waterfront.

[nuwaver88]

Originally Posted by ferrarisnowday

I'd much rather see more organic growth in the strip. Even if chain retail is the direction it goes, I'd rather it end up more like Walnut street than the Waterfront.

I agree with this. It is just that sometimes it takes deep pockets to get things done. I would rather see something developed, even if it a chain, than wait forever for someone to open Ye Olde Corner Market.

[BrianTH]

I'm fine with chains for commodity-type products, like basic groceries or pharmacies. My concern would be more how it fit into the built environment.

[alleghenyangel]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

I'm fine with chains for commodity-type products, like basic groceries or pharmacies. My concern would be more how it fit into the built environment.

I think there are many old factories and commercial buildings that could and should be retrofitted for modern retail uses (The Produce Terminal, anyone?).

There is also a lot of vacant land that would be prime for infill developments.