Random development news (Pittsburgh: leases, schools, stores)

[BrianTH]

A few interesting stories today:

The PPS is considering a proposal to sell a lot of its unused school buildings, including Schenley. This could be an opportunity for some good projects in some pretty cool structures:

Schenley and other buildings may be sold by city schools

The Colcom Foundation is sponsoring a design competition for the Point State Park tunnel. It is a pretty neat space as it is but I agree it use something a little more dynamic:

Point State Park tunnel awaits artistic face-lift

Finally, the City and the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership are starting a "Pop Up" program for Downtown. The idea, which has been used successfully in other cities, is to give people a chance to make creative/entrepreneurial use of vacant store fronts for short terms, without having to sign long-term leases (although sometimes successful "pop ups" end up signing long-term leases):

'Pop-ups' seen as quick fix for vacant city stores

[raubre]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Finally, the City and the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership are starting a "Pop Up" program for Downtown. The idea, which has been used successfully in other cities, is to give people a chance to make creative/entrepreneurial use of vacant store fronts for short terms, without having to sign long-term leases (although sometimes successful "pop ups" end up signing long-term leases):

'Pop-ups' seen as quick fix for vacant city stores

Are these like the pop up stores they have at the malls at Christmas time?

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by raubre

Are these like the pop up stores they have at the malls at Christmas time?

Somewhat, although the concept is a bit broader. For example, sometimes it is an artist doing some sort of display, and not really a store.