South Side Park opening next week (Pittsburgh, Monongahela: sales, hotel, neighborhoods)

[airwave09]

A $13 million park dedicated to Pittsburgh's industrial past will open next week almost a year behind schedule.
South Shore Riverfront Park at SouthSide Works will open on May 2, said Gigi Saladna, spokeswoman for the Pittsburgh Urban Redevelopment Authority. The 3.2-acre park along the Monongahela River was to open on Memorial Day last year, but heavy spring rains, project changes and a previously undiscovered underground tunnel delayed construction, Saladna said. The changes increased project costs by about $336,000, she said.

Read more:| TribLIVE | Pittsburgh

[BrianTH]

I'm a little skeptical about what sort of retail boost this will give to SSW, but just on its own merits it will be great to see it finally open.

[airwave09]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

I'm a little skeptical about what sort of retail boost this will give to SSW, but just on its own merits it will be great to see it finally open.

It will be a boost for the residential areas nearby I'm sure.

Also, I'm thinking that it won't be until next year when the boating marina is in place that the shopping area will start to see a real boost from additional foot traffic.

[cheezit34141988]

Originally Posted by airwave09

It will be a boost for the residential areas nearby I'm sure.

Also, I'm thinking that it won't be until next year when the boating marina is in place that the shopping area will start to see a real boost from additional foot traffic.

Hotel being built right there should help too I'd hope...

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by airwave09

It will be a boost for the residential areas nearby I'm sure.

Definitely (which, incidentally, that area could use more of--meaning more new residential units).

Also, I'm thinking that it won't be until next year when the boating marina is in place that the shopping area will start to see a real boost from additional foot traffic.

So we used to have a cabin on a fairly substantial lake in Michigan. There were many other cabins on the shores of the lack, and lots of people boating. There was a dock where you could stop and get gas, and there was also a convenience store.

And that was about it for boaters supporting retail on this lake. Hence why I am skeptical the marina is going to give a big boost to SSW retail.

[Impala26]

Not to derail the thread, and I'm very glad this park is FINALLY getting done as it finally connects the bike trail to The Hot Metal Bridge, but...

...why the heck is the fountain at the point still not done yet? I've been with my current girlfriend nearly two years and in her time in Pittsburgh she's never ONCE seen it flowing. That's just sad really and speaks volumes for how construction management is handled in this region. :-/

[BrianTH]

It wasn't a construction delay, it was a funding issue. They only began renovations on the fountain late last year.

[gg]

This completes the South Side as one of the most desirable neighborhood in the Burgh. What don' they have? I have been to that park many times before the open.... and yes IN PERSON. It is a great location. Brian, you need to actually go there and have a look around. That area is as good as it gets. I feel the Slopes will keep getting better. Great stuff!

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

It wasn't a construction delay, it was a funding issue.

Is it just me, or does Pittsburgh have a TON of "funding issues"? Why not just raise a few taxes? I'd fully be willing to pay higher taxes to support a higher quality-of-life. I voted in favor of the library tax increase, and I would be willing to pay a higher local sales tax in exchange for more projects, such as the fountain, being completed. I've NEVER seen the fountain operational, and to me that's an embarrassment for the city.

[BrianTH]

Part of the problem (as usual) is that you have a lot of different entities involved. Point State Park is, of course, a state park, but for the usual political reasons the state wouldn't fully fund the renovations. The fountain project in particular was only about half funded by the state, so they had to raise private donations to make up the other half:

A cascade of renovations set for Point fountain - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette