City's north side to be the new lawrenceville? (Pittsburgh, Taylor: for sale, mortgage)

[norcider]

East Ohio is nothing like it used to be. Park House is now packed with 20 somethings playing trivia games. That stuff just wasn't happening even 10 years ago, I am an optimist. East Ohio will probably always have some grit but the tide seems to be changing, at least to me and I've seen it at its worst.

[Lobick]

FWIW, I think that the Garden Theater block and the new B&B (Allegheny Inn) on the corner of Cedar and North have a tipping point value in terms of perception beyond their actual commercial footprint. Both of these projects are in highly visible locations frequented by people who do not live in the community. The removal of blight alone, let alone the installation of new, vibrant businesses will do much to alter the perception of the neighborhood to transient people. Federal Street is far safer and more vibrant than it was merely five years ago, yet the Garden Theater doesn't allow people to notice the improvements.

[norcider]

Yes, the new library on Federal, the coffee shop and other establishments have gone a LONG way to giving the area an extra little kick of safety and a sense of revitalization.

[Gee Whiz]

It is not fair to claim that the North Side, or any neighborhood for that matter, could aspire to be like almighty Lawrenceville, the neighborhood of neighborhoods, the Garden Spot of America. This is the neighborhood where artists, hipsters, and yuppies flock to from all across the east just to walk the streets and experience the vibe that simply cannot be duplicated. It rivals, and possibly trumps not only the coolest neighborhoods in New York, Boston, and DC, but also London, Paris, and Rome. To suggest that it can be the next Lawrenceville? No way. Let's just hope that it can be a very good North Side.

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by Gee Whiz

It is not fair to claim that the North Side, or any neighborhood for that matter, could aspire to be like almighty Lawrenceville, the neighborhood of neighborhoods, the Garden Spot of America. This is the neighborhood where artists, hipsters, and yuppies flock to from all across the east just to walk the streets and experience the vibe that simply cannot be duplicated. It rivasl, and possibly trumps not only the coolest neighborhoods in New York, Boston, and DC, but also London, Paris, and Rome also. To suggest that it can be the next Lawrenceville? No way. Let's just hope that it can be a very good North Side.

Exactly who said that in this thread?

All I said was that The North Side lacks the infrastructure needed to develop onto a major commercial destination ala East Carson or Butler. The business districts are too small, and too far apart from one another that they will ever form a continuous walkable fabric. Hell, I'd argue without some major infill work yet, Butler will never even be as good as East Carson regarding this.

That's not to say there couldn't be massive improvements made to all of the business districts. But the loss of Allegheny Center and other secondary commercial districts has resulted in a more awkward layout for "tourists" than other parts of the city.

[Gee Whiz]

Originally Posted by eschaton

Exactly who said that in this thread?

All I said was that The North Side lacks the infrastructure needed to develop onto a major commercial destination ala East Carson or Butler. The business districts are too small, and too far apart from one another that they will ever form a continuous walkable fabric. Hell, I'd argue without some major infill work yet, Butler will never even be as good as East Carson regarding this.

That's not to say there couldn't be massive improvements made to all of the business districts. But the loss of Allegheny Center and other secondary commercial districts has resulted in a more awkward layout for "tourists" than other parts of the city.

Nobody said it. I was playing off the title of the thread and the notion that some people have that Lawrenceville is a great neighborhood. In my opinion, it is not. What I posted was not based on anything in this thread, but a common belief that I do not share. That is why I voted for Lawrenceville in the "most overrated neighborhood" thread. I respect the fact that many people like Lawrencevile. People have to get used to my sometimes sarcastic posts. They are meant to be silly, but sometimes people take it the wrong way. I am not here to troll and make enemies, just to give my opinions.

[szug-bot]

Originally Posted by Gee Whiz

It is not fair to claim that the North Side, or any neighborhood for that matter, could aspire to be like almighty Lawrenceville, the neighborhood of neighborhoods, the Garden Spot of America. This is the neighborhood where artists, hipsters, and yuppies flock to from all across the east just to walk the streets and experience the vibe that simply cannot be duplicated. It rivals, and possibly trumps not only the coolest neighborhoods in New York, Boston, and DC, but also London, Paris, and Rome. To suggest that it can be the next Lawrenceville? No way. Let's just hope that it can be a very good North Side.

haha! actually, are you aware of little ol' Garfield? a little off topic, i know, but next year, check out the "Unblurred" events. they have ceased for the year but will undoubtedly commence in the spring. they are held every first friday of the month along Penn Avenue in Garfield/Bloomfield.

very cool, cool kids (well, anyone under 30 is a kid to me at this point), nice people, fun art that is visual, performance, industrial, whatever. you just walk the strip going into a number of galleries. wish i were in my 20s again, knowing what i know now.

[Gee Whiz]

Originally Posted by eschaton

Exactly who said that in this thread?

All I said was that The North Side lacks the infrastructure needed to develop onto a major commercial destination ala East Carson or Butler. The business districts are too small, and too far apart from one another that they will ever form a continuous walkable fabric. Hell, I'd argue without some major infill work yet, Butler will never even be as good as East Carson regarding this.

That's not to say there couldn't be massive improvements made to all of the business districts. But the loss of Allegheny Center and other secondary commercial districts has resulted in a more awkward layout for "tourists" than other parts of the city.

I like and respect the fact that neighborhoods like this are seeing an influx of new blood to help them re-create themselves. They just are not my cup of tea.

[new believer]

Originally Posted by Lobick

FWIW, I think that the Garden Theater block and the new B&B (Allegheny Inn) on the corner of Cedar and North have a tipping point value in terms of perception beyond their actual commercial footprint. Both of these projects are in highly visible locations frequented by people who do not live in the community.

You are definitely right about the Garden, and probably to a lesser extent about Allegheny Inn. Unfortunately neither of these projects are moving very quickly, which seems typical of northside redevelopment projects. I suspect part of the problem in the area is a lack of community leadership and strong representation in city government. East end neighborhoods had guys like Peduto. The northside has Darlene Harris.

I will also say that most of the things that attracted me to the northside are the same things that attracted me to Lville 10 years ago. I got priced out of Lawrenceville when I bought a house, so I bought here instead. Alot of things about this neighborhood (and I'm talking specifically about Central Northside) remind me of Lawrenceville 10 years ago, but a major difference is that development is just crawling at a snails pace here, and it has a very long way to go to catch up with where Lawrenceville is now.

I think Steindle is spot on about Troy Hill, but what's happening over there has less to do with what's happening around Central Northside, or "Allegheny City Central" or whatever they are trying to re-brand it as.

[gortonator]

Originally Posted by szug-bot

very cool, cool kids (well, anyone under 30 is a kid to me at this point), nice people, fun art that is visual, performance, industrial, whatever. you just walk the strip going into a number of galleries. wish i were in my 20s again, knowing what i know now.

don't we all, my friend. Don't we all