Expanding Downtown (Pittsburgh, Washington, Monongahela: real estate, neighborhoods, casino)
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People tend to think of Downtown Pittsburgh as the area between the rivers that extends east to the Mellon Arena area. I like to think of Station Sqare and the North Shore as being downtown also. Just because there are bridges to cross, does not mean that are downtown has to be considered "small." If the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers were to be pushed further north and further south respectively, all that is currently built on parts of the North Side and Station Square and the South Side would be considered more of the downtown area.
I like Pittsburgh's topography the way it is. However, I am not keen on height restrictions on the North Shore and Station Square. Taller buildings would make these areas seem more part of the downtown area rather than just being seperate areas across the river. Station Square still has a ton of room on their east and west parking lots. Harrah's proposal had several new buildings proposed had they won the slots license. There were several buildings in the fififteen to twenty story range that would have stretched from the light rail bridge to the east, to the Fort Pitt Bridge to the west. Hong Kong has skyscrapers on both sides of it's bay, and is a sight to behold. Where is their downtown? All of it is. I am just looking for ways to utilize our unique setting for a downtown area. I know high rises etc. are built through supply and demand. I just hope city planners think more boldly if the demand ever comes . The argument for height restrictions on buildings across the river from downtown to me is akin to not planting trees because they block the view of the forest. I fully expect someone to disagree with me, and that is fine. I like urban density. It will expand what people view as our "downtown" boundaries.
Taller buildings in Station Square would ruin views from Mt. Washington so that's probably why that won't happen. A casino over there wouldn't have worked...too much traffic, not enough room for more lanes.
People tend to think of Downtown Pittsburgh as the area between the rivers that extends east to the Mellon Arena area. I like to think of Station Sqare and the North Shore as being downtown also. Just because there are bridges to cross, does not mean that are downtown has to be considered "small." If the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers were to be pushed further north and further south respectively, all that is currently built on parts of the North Side and Station Square and the South Side would be considered more of the downtown area.
I like Pittsburgh's topography the way it is. However, I am not keen on height restrictions on the North Shore and Station Square. Taller buildings would make these areas seem more part of the downtown area rather than just being seperate areas across the river. Station Square still has a ton of room on their east and west parking lots. Harrah's proposal had several new buildings proposed had they won the slots license. There were several buildings in the fififteen to twenty story range that would have stretched from the light rail bridge to the east, to the Fort Pitt Bridge to the west. Hong Kong has skyscrapers on both sides of it's bay, and is a sight to behold. Where is their downtown? All of it is. I am just looking for ways to utilize our unique setting for a downtown area. I know high rises etc. are built through supply and demand. I just hope city planners think more boldly if the demand ever comes . The argument for height restrictions on buildings across the river from downtown to me is akin to not planting trees because they block the view of the forest. I fully expect someone to disagree with me, and that is fine. I like urban density. It will expand what people view as our "downtown" boundaries.
Well, I'm glad that you like the topography the way it is, because I don't see it changing through anything other than natural forces. Personally, I think it is kinda odd that anyone would take the idea of changing that even slightly seriously, but....
Anyway, the problem with building taller in Station Square is that such buildings would block Mt. Washington which is one of this cities greatest assets. Now, not only that, but Station Square sits on a very narrow strip of land that is hard to get to as it is. How do you propose to increase the transportation capacity to deal with the excessive traffic?
As for the North Shore, they are trying to integrate it into the downtown. That's why they built the tunnel, that everyone who is not in city government agrees is a total waste of money.
I think there is a larger issue here. You mention that "Hong Kong has...." Okay, I'm sure that's right for Hong Kong, but is it right for Pittsburgh? One of the things that defines Pittsburgh is that it is not an overwhelming place. You still have alot of the classic feel of older building and neighborhood design that you don't get in alot of other cities. More and more people are craving that, these days, and that can be advertised as Pittsburgh comparative advantage... or at least it could be if the city government ever figured out how to find its car keys.
We have entered an era where, once again, cities are about more than just the downtown area where people drive in from the suburbs to work, and then leave, each day. I don't think Downtown really needs to be developed anymore. We should focus on keeping what is there, as is, and develop the other neighborhoods around the city.
(1) I agree that Downtown, the North Side (or North Shore as some insist), and the South Side form something of a greater unit (you could also toss in the Bluff and the Strip). I tend to call this greater unit something like "the area around the Confluence" for lack of a better term.
(2) I personally don't think allowing really big highrises on the North Side and South Side is a great idea, at least at Pittsburgh's current population density and size. Note by the way that not only is Hong Kong far more dense and generally more populous than Pittsburgh, but Victoria Peak also rises to a much greater height relative to Victoria Harbor than the hills around the Confluence (I believe Victoria Peak is over 1800 feet higher than Victoria Harbor, compared to around 500 feet for Mt Washington relative to the rivers). So, that is part of why in Hong Kong you can have such tall buildings on both sides of the harbor and not ruin the views.
You could easily put 200 - 400 foot towers without blocking the view though. There are not that many buildings in Pgh that rise above Mt Washington anyways (10 maybe?)
Downtown Pittsburgh IS the area between the rivers. The North Side is the North Side of Pittsburgh and the South Side is the South Side of Pittsburgh. There simply is no need for High Rise buildings in those neighborhoods, none at all. One can develope plenty of real estate without going vertical. There is plenty of area to plant tall buildings out side of the city anyways. To allow the North and South sides to have unchecked growth would be bad for the city.
Downtown Pittsburgh IS the area between the rivers. The North Side is the North Side of Pittsburgh and the South Side is the South Side of Pittsburgh. There simply is no need for High Rise buildings in those neighborhoods, none at all. One can develope plenty of real estate without going vertical. There is plenty of area to plant tall buildings out side of the city anyways. To allow the North and South sides to have unchecked growth would be bad for the city.
I respect your opinion but disagree. I am all about thinking more boldly. Just because there is a river seperating the North Side and South Side from Downtown, does not mean that there cannot be taller buildings. Someone suggested up to twenty stories, another person suggested up tom 400 feet. This is in line with what I am talking about. We do not need forty to fifty story buildings. Nor am I suggesting tall buildings along East Ohio Street or East Carson Street, on the North Side and South Side repectively. The Northern boundary on the North Side would be the North Shore Expressway. From The West End Bridge to to the Veterans Bridge there is a lot of real estate on the North Shore tom build upward and onward. The eastern and western parking area of Station Square would be the taller zone on the soutern shore. Chicago has tall buildings on each side of the Chicago River. I Know, I know, "But Pittsburgh is not Chicago." That is not good enough for me. This could be done correctly and still preserve our vistas. In fact the vistas would be more dramatic to have high rises flanking all sides of all three rivers. We have such a unique setting. The argument that those surface parking lots on our northern and southern shores is adding to our city's beauty does not hold much water to me. An urban density from the West End Bridge on the Ohio to the Veterans Bridge on the Allegheny to the Liberty Bridge on the Monongahela, on northern and southern shores would make for one spectacular "Downtown" area. That is my vision.
I'd like to see more rid-rise and high-rise buildings in Oakland. There is some development as far as what you're talking about on the South Side, down near the South Side Works.
Is parking a problem on the South Side and in Station Square? I guess the Sheraton is 15 stories. North Side will be getting an ugly 10 story parking garage with the casino. If you put up buildings tall enough to block residents' view there will be protests. These buildings would be what, mixed use?
Tall buildings in Oakland will look great.
I forget the new building that will be going in downtown, maybe another Hilton. Only 5 stories. What a waste of space.
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