Grant Street gets recognition as Great Place (Pittsburgh, Duquesne: house, neighborhoods)

[BrianTH]

Grant Street named one of the 10 best in America - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Grant Street was chosen "for the melange of historic 19th century buildings and soaring 20th century skyscrapers that straddle its tree-lined median, history that underlies these magnificent structures, and diversity of uses. The 11 blocks that run between Fort Pitt Boulevard and Liberty Avenue are among Pittsburgh's most frequently trafficked and a popular destination for residents, commuters and visitors." . . . "Reborn through planning, Grant Street defines Pittsburgh -- from the shape of the skyline to the chronology of the city's history as a center of commerce and industry," said Paul Farmer, CEO of the planning association and a former deputy director of Pittsburgh's planning department.

There are many other streets in Pittsburgh I find more charming or otherwise more aesthetically pleasing, but Grant Street definitely has a very impressive (and varied) collection of buildings, worthy of the main "center of power" street of a larger city.

[LIRefugee]

I like how Grant Street is not named after the usual person after whom most Grant Streets are named, but instead after a Scottish Major who was routed at the Battle of Fort Duquesne. Therefore Pittsburgh's "Great Place" is named after a guy who lost 342 casualties versus 16 for the French and who was captured in the process.

[Moby Hick]

Originally Posted by LIRefugee

I like how Grant Street is not named after the usual person after whom most Grant Streets are named, but instead after a Scottish Major who was routed at the Battle of Fort Duquesne. Therefore Pittsburgh's "Great Place" is named after a guy who lost 342 casualties versus 16 for the French and who was captured in the process.

Compared to buying Pirates tickets, honoring that guy makes sense.

[szug-bot]

the streetscape is actually very beautiful, if you can appreciate it among the noise. there are the corporate buildings, then something insanely unique like the Union Trust Building. it is well-deserved of some recognition, and id say its one of the most charming urban thoroughfares ive ever seen in the seven countries ive been to.

but i avoid it unless i have to.

[LIRefugee]

Originally Posted by Moby Hick

Compared to buying Pirates tickets, honoring that guy makes sense.

They will at least equal their highest win total since Barry Bonds left town. Hip hip hooray.
2/3 of a good season is better than none at all, I suppose.

[speagles84]

I'd nominate the parkway east and the Squirrel Hill Tunnel

Haha just kidding. Cool nomination though; Grant Street has the big city feel that is somewhat hard to find in Pittsburgh. Just another reason our city and its regions are so diverse feeling!

[FreightTrainRunning]

I love that the PG doesn't actually bother to link to the actual site of The American Planning Association with the full list of streets. The Post-Gazette still doesn't get the whole interwebs thing.

[bradjl2009]

It is a great street. My one pet peeve is the huge parking lot across the street from the City County Building.

[SPSGuy]

Originally Posted by bradjl2009

It is a great street. My one pet peeve is the huge parking lot across the street from the City County Building.

Agree, but it is the only location you can squeeze the Allegheny County Court House into your camera lens even with a wide angle lens.

[BrianTH]

We definitely need to do something cool with that lot (maybe including a setback for picture-takers).