Happenings in Pittsburgh!!

[guylocke]

The new Arena being build for the Penguin's is seeking GOLD LEED certification, if they are awarded this, it will be the only sports complex in the entire country that has held such an honor.

Penguins seeking top rating as greenest sports venue in U.S.

Pittsburgh's new arena not only will be the newest in the National Hockey League when it opens in 2010 but the greenest in sports.

On Earth Day, the Penguins and the city-Allegheny County Sports & Exhibition Authority announced that they will seek a LEED Gold certification for the $321 million complex, which is being built adjacent to Mellon Arena.

The Consol Energy Center would join 14 other buildings in Pittsburgh as gold-certified, including the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

[guylocke]

The Laurel Highlands was featured in a fantastic New York Times article: a vacation destination becoming increasingly known for skiing, outdoor recreation, national parkland, three homes created by Frank Lloyd Weber, the rescue sites of flight 9/11 flight 93 and 9 miners from the Quereek mine, and a growing second-home destination for folks looking for mountain estates.

Think Poconos, on the Other Side of Pennsylvania - NY TIMES

[guylocke]

Lawrenceville was featured in the London Financial Times. Don't let the title fool you, it's very pro-Pittsburgh and I think they were just trying to be clever, LOL.

FT.com / Weekend / House & Home - Diamond in the rust

The smoke-belching mills and heavy industry departed in the 1970s and 1980s, ushering in plenty of hard times. One result of de-industrialisation was de-population: Pittsburgh was home to 677,000 people in 1950; today that figure is just over 300,000.

But the air is clearer now and the city has regrouped around its concentration of urban universities, research facilities, hospitals, health services and the headquarters of eight Fortune 500 companies. And, in a way, the departure of the big industrial employers was actually a boon, allowing Pittsburgh to avoid the latest, massive rounds of layoffs and downsizings that have brought many Rust Belt cities to their knees.

[guylocke]

Here is an article that will just tickle you about the strengths of Pittsburgh during this recession. Pittsburgh hasn't been left completely unscathed, no city in America has, but not only has Pittsburgh remained relatively stable comparatively speaking, it actually booming on several fronts - as the article also adds - FOR NOW. This article also mentions how as Charlotte falls, Pittsburgh capitalizes.

Pittsburgh is one bright spot amid the economic gloom -- for now

Cleveland Plain Dealer: "THE STEEL CITY'S NEW STRENGTH; Our longtime regional rival now had big economic influence here."

Time magazine: Pittsburgh is "One Economic Bright Spot on Main Street."

Business Week: Pittsburgh is one of "The Best Cities for Riding Out a Recession."

New York Times: "For Pittsburgh, There's Life After Steel."

Total foreclosures -- on a dramatic upswing nationally -- have fallen for two straight years in Pittsburgh's five-county region. Moody's says Pittsburgh will be the only city out of the largest 100 metropolitan regions in the U.S. to post a gain in housing prices one year from now.

Pittsburgh has really thrown a wrench in Cleveland's recovery. We can attribute a portion of our boon to their current bust. Cleveland is an absolute mess and Pittsburgh companies have now bought at least two of their most prominent headquartered companies, National City Bank (now part of PNC), and Realty One (now part of Howard Hanna). I also know that Giant Eagle is stomping on a lot of competition in the Cleveland market and is aggressively moving deeper into Ohio.

There is a huge influx of talent and investment pouring out of Cleveland and into Pittsburgh. I mean, I'm SUPER happy for Pittsburgh, but it's sort of ashame it comes at the expense of another struggling industrial city. I've also read recently that Pittsburgh is now doing the same thing to Buffalo, NY, with a lot of business and capital relocating to Pittsburgh from Buffalo.

[PeterRabbit]

Earlier this month First Niagara Bank bought all but four branches of National City from PNC.
First Niagara Bank buys 57 National City Bank branches from PNC - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

[guylocke]

Earlier this month First Niagara Bank bought all but four branches of National City from PNC.
First Niagara Bank buys 57 National City Bank branches from PNC - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Wow, didn't hear about that! I'm outdated. :P Did PNC turn a profit? Oh wait, PNC had intended to sell 57 branches, there are still up to 97 branches that will switch over to PNC by the end of the year, per the article.

Other National City branches, including up to 97 in Western Pennsylvania, will convert to "PNC Bank" sometime in the second half of the year, said spokesman Fred Soloman.

[mckeesport_alum]

Originally Posted by guylocke

St. Casimir condo's in the southside passed the 50% occupancy rate. They are REALLY cool, having been converted from a former schoolhouse.



St. Casimir condos surpasses 50% occupancy mark on Pittsburgh's South Side

Guylocke,

Have you actually seen inside or do you know anyone living in the building? My lease will be up in December and am thinking about buying in the SS Flats. According to Howard Hanna there are 2-3 units for sale.

[fleetiebelle]

Hollywood Theater in Dormont reopens: Hollywood Theater in Dormont revived with classic films, volunteers - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

The Hollywood Theater in Dormont could reopen next month with a staff of volunteers, under a borough councilman's plan approved this week by the owner of the 300-seat theater.
The Hollywood, which reopened in 2007 only to close again in 2008, would show classic movies on weekends, according to the plan floated by council President John Maggio and approved by the Bradley Center, an agency serving children with mental, emotional and developmental disabilities, which owns the theater.

More recent article: http://www.popcitymedia.com/developm...eatre0624.aspx

[juliegt]

Just got an email about this event in Pittsburgh in August: Netroots Nation