Nice post on Mellon Square renovations (Pittsburgh: shops, design, pool)

[BrianTH]

Market Square Pittsburgh: Another Square Deal Downtown

A description of the vision:

Though part of the initial blueprints, a terrace over the street-level shops never made the final cut. But nearly 60 years later, the former giant planter will welcome visitors to a rectangular refuge from the streets below with grassy areas, benches and handicapped access. The falling waters of the Cascade Fountain will be turned on again and the park's center fountain and pool will shoot spouts of water high in the sky.

And a watercolor rendering:

[Jrn14]

I guess it's nice they are cleaning it up, but this looks exactly like it did before... I was expecting something new and exciting.

[BrianTH]

They decided to respect the original design, which was still reflected in many ways in the pre-renovation state. However, as with Market Square, I think there are some subtle ways in which they are making it a lot more appealing, and it is really the setting that provides most of the drama.

[bradjl2009]

Even if Mellon Square still keeps the same basic design, it will still look a bit better than we remember since it will be cleaned up and the fountains will finally be on again.

[h_curtis]

It looks nice. I was walking by the square waterfall thing and it looked pretty cool. Looking forward to it opening and to be enjoyed by all. Thanks for the update.

[airwave09]

This is definitely going to be a huge improvement. In the next five years every single lot downtown will have been completely revitalized.

This will have to start spilling over into the Strip and Uptown/hill if it arguably hasn't already started doing just that.