Happenings in Pittsburgh!! (Carnegie, McMurray, Homestead: environment, attorney, property taxes)

[guylocke]

I may have a terrible towel.

You sneaky rascal! Good for you! It should be a good game.

[Katiana]

My bro tells me the Broncos are going to get creamed!

[guylocke]

Here's a nice little video I stumbled upon from a few months ago on WTAE. He doesn't really say anything that isn't already known, but it's nice to hear good news and an excitement about Pittsburgh.

Viewpoint 4: Impressive Signs Of Growth In Pittsburgh - Video - WTAE Pittsburgh

[guylocke]

Grubb & Ellis have released their 3rd quarter market reports for the Pittsburgh region with some very positive news on all fronts.

The office sector of town continues to grow at slow but steady pace, the outlook and predictions are that more recovery will be following.
A Busy Summer

The industrial sector has also seen expansion and growth.
Momentum Continues

The retail sector has also has remained extremely strong and predictions are that consumer demand and healthy economic projections in the region will continue to fuel the Pittsburgh retail market in the future.
Demand Remains Strong

[guylocke]

Everyone knows Pittsburgh is a leader in medical research and health care, spearheaded by Pitt University. But did you realize just how much of a world leader Pitt really is? This was in the Trib today.

City's status as trailblazer in medical research is growing

Pittsburgh's role as a trailblazer in medical research has been years in the making.
Moderator cut: do not repost copyrighted articles

[guylocke]

Pittsburgh persuades New Yorker to build here

When Joe Caro began visiting cities in search of an investment, Pittsburgh didn't figure to merit much more than a pit stop.

After all, for a well-traveled New Yorker who had visited countries in Central America and South America and many of the major cities and tourist destinations on the East Coast, Pittsburgh didn't hold any special appeal.

"I wanted to check it off the to-do list," he said.

But a funny thing happened on his way to some place more exotic. He fell in love with the Steel City after his first visit in March.

"I'm kind of shocked, too," he said. "It was a surprise to me when I discovered the way it is."

Mr. Caro, 50, liked Pittsburgh so much that he last month bought an eight-story building at 333 Boulevard of the Allies for $495,000 with plans to convert it into apartments and street level retail. He also intends to make his home here.

"I decided this is it. This is where I should be," he said.

[guylocke]

Pittsburgh was ranked by Forbes as America's second most stable housing market.

America's Most Stable Housing Markets

2. Pittsburgh, Pa.
Median home price: $123,500

Annual price change from 2006: 2.7%

Projected price change to 2008: 3.37%

Pittsburgh's growth has been steady over the last year, and with low foreclosure projections based on the state of the local lending market, very affordable housing stock and relatively low inventory, it can overcome the fact that its sales rate is 30th out of the 40 markets measured.

[fleetiebelle]

Movie to be filmed in Pittsburgh this winter

Movie director Kevin Smith has stated that the film "Zack and Miri Make a Porno" will be shot in Pittsburgh in January.
"We opted for Pittsburgh," Mr. Smith, who directed "Dogma" here in 1998, wrote on the Internet blog viewaskew.com.
He said he may announce the cast in the next two weeks and that there will be about 40 shooting days.

[guylocke]

Neat find fleetiebelle. I actually saw some of Dogma filmed in New Kensington. It was fun to watch! I wish they needed extra's! What a great movie, btw.

Also, here is more to the article "Pittsburgh persuades New Yorker to build here."

I really love this quote from Joe Caro, the New York investor.

Mr. Caro also believes Pittsburgh is on the cusp of a major boom, another reason he decided to invest his money here.
"I see trends and I know when everything is going to boom," he said. "This town is definitely going to see a boom. It's going to sneak up on them and one day, they're going to realize, 'Hey, when did this happen?' "

I think that is so true about "Hey, when did this happen?" I am already seeing it.

While we're talking quotes, here is a quote that was in The Economist last year. I love this one, too.

At the last census, in 2000, 15.6% of Pennsylvania's population was over 64 years old—second only to Florida—and the Pittsburgh region is older than the rest of the state. But now the Grim Reaper will even things out. Over the next quarter-century, however, the Census Bureau expects Pennsylvania's over-64 population to grow by only 50%, the smallest increase of the 50 states. The national elderly population will grow more than twice as quickly, while that of currently vibrant states in America's south-west will explode. When today's most glamorous regions begin to face that brutal arithmetic, many of today's young Pittsburghers may be glad they stayed put.

[Katiana]

I thought it was slow last week, seems to have picked up.

BTW, it seems my bro was wrong about the Broncos!

About 1/2 the people there in NFL garb were Pittsburgh fans. I forgot my Terrible Towel, but it didn't matter. And I was team-neutral. I wore black pants (Steelers) and an oragne sweater (Broncos).