Who hates the UPMC sign? (Pittsburgh, Portland: employment, public schools, university)

[creepsinc]

I do! I do!

I've admired the US Steel building (in pictures) since I was a kid. It's always reminded me of the monoliths in 2001: A Space Odyssey.


University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, a so-called nonprofit currently bleeding the city dry, has ruined one of America's best skylines. OK, that's hyperbole, but it's so close to being true that I started this thread.

Here's to PPG Place remaining aesthetically pure, forever.

[PeterRabbit]

I don't mind the placement of the sign but abhor their poor taste in a logo. 4 letters set in Times Roman is very boring and old looking.

[guylocke]

I like it. I think it looks cool.

I have to defend UPMC a little. I completely agree that they are a double-edged sword and that it sucks that they don't pay taxes and the non-profit thing is BS... that being said, Pittsburgh would be utterly lost without them.

[Pitts10yrs]

Why hate a place that brings employment to 50,000 people? What would Pittsburgh be without UPMC --- Detroit!!!

[Geeo]

I know it's popular to bash UPMC for being big and successful, but I don't think (correct me if I'm wrong), that they pay no taxes at all. I think they do pay taxes on some of the buildings and land where there are offices, plus they pay whopping payroll taxes for all those employees, who in turn keep the economy humming. One reason that we are not being hit as hard in this recession is because of our "eds and meds" economy, which is more recession-proof.

[creepsinc]

Originally Posted by Pitts10yrs

Why hate a place that brings employment to 50,000 people? What would Pittsburgh be without UPMC --- Detroit!!!

It is a double-edged sword, and I appreciate the irony of it being on the US Steel building. They should pay their fair share though, and put their logo somewhere else. If UPMC paid taxes (I know they pay some, but really), Pittsburgh would be Portland,Oregon, only better.


I'm pro-drink-tax and I vote. I guess that's for another thread.

[creepsinc]

And I didn't say I hated UPMC, I said I hated their sign.

[guylocke]

I think you're right of course, they do pay certain money's to the city for this or that, but not the MILLIONS that would be racked up if they were for-profit.

They do many good things for the city despite the evil reputation they have. I realize it was originally thorny because they "wanted special treatment," but they did create the Pittsburgh Promise for the public schools of Pittsburgh.

Once ripe, that will be a most excellent program and could help the city immensely.

[PeterRabbit]

They tore down the Syria Mosque and made it a parking lot.

[Bong477]

agreed the sign is ugly, but oh well... it could definately be worse too.