Update on replacement for Edge on Mt. Washington (Pittsburgh, Carnegie: condos, hotel)

[BrianTH]

They just made their pitch to the Planning Commission for the necessary zoning changes:

Hotel, condos proposed in Mt. Washington - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Next up is a public meeting in November. Some items of potential interest to the public (in addition to the economic impact and impact on the view):

Plans call for a large public plaza next to the Monongahela Incline overlooking Downtown. A five-story parking garage would be built under the plaza and hotel. A public walking trail would encircle the project, and in a second phase of construction, a "Grand Staircase" would lead from Station Square to Grandview Avenue.

I think all that would complement the customary Incline circuit--for example, you could take an Incline up, maybe walk along Grandview, visit the plaza and maybe walking trail, and then take the steps down (personally, I wouldn't be inclined to do it the other way, but you never know).

[nuwaver88]

I am glad to hear that there is "widespread community support." This city is changing and so are the attitudes about it. Anybody not in favor of this project over the crack house is an idiot. Let's iron out the problems. Let's get it done. There should always a "can do" approach when it comes to development. I may want to go to that meeting on November 10.

[Geeo]

I wonder if the Ritz Carlton is the hotel they have in mind for the site? That's what was supposed to be there in the original plan years ago.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by Geeo

I wonder if the Ritz Carlton is the hotel they have in mind for the site? That's what was supposed to be there in the original plan years ago.

It seems the developer hasn't actually signed an operator yet, but they want it to be a 4- or 5-star chain.

[ditchdigger]

A public walking trail would encircle the project, and in a second phase of construction, a "Grand Staircase" would lead from Station Square to Grandview Avenue.

Well if they're going all the way down the side of the mountain, I think they should include a water slide.

[BrianTH]

And the planning commission approved it, so it is on to the city council for final approval:

Planners approve Mount Washington hotel, condo project

[szug-bot]

Originally Posted by ditchdigger

Well if they're going all the way down the side of the mountain, I think they should include a water slide.

i always thought an alpine slide could be built. what a great way to commute down...imagine what that would do for people's moods as they go to work each morning!

[nuwaver88]

Originally Posted by szug-bot

i always thought an alpine slide could be built. what a great way to commute down...imagine what that would do for people's moods as they go to work each morning!

Funny that you mention an Alpine slide, because about fifteen years ago, City Councilman Jack Wagner proposed an Alpine RIDE, or tram connecting Mt. Washington with the North Shore to an area just of the Duquesne Incline to an area west of the Carnegie Science Center. It would have offered spectacular views of the Golden Triangle, but the argument was that the view from Mt. Washington was spectacular enough, so it never got off of the ground. Pun intended.

Actually, I found this article from 4 1/2 years ago. I was not aware that it had been resurrected. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt.../s_335829.html
Only to die again.