Transit-Oriented Development in PGH (Pittsburgh, Republic: houses, employment, living)

[markson33]

Originally Posted by airwave09

When the NSC opens next year I expect high density residential development to really begin to pick up steam in and around the North Shore. The city is already calling for possible developers:

URA seeks developer for North Shore, riverfront site

I can definitely see the floodgates opening soon.

I can't see that happening. You can't get funding for speculative office development these days, and the costs are too high anyway. A developer can always do a build-to-suit, but you need to have a tenant first and that's not easy to do.

It could be possible to get financing for an apartment building or hotel, but anything else is unlikely. I could see a hotel next to the Casino - they already have a site for it.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by markson33

I can't see that happening. . . . It could be possible to get financing for an apartment building or hotel, but anything else is unlikely.

I don't understand--both the article and the poster you were replying to specifically referenced residential projects, not a speculative office project.

I also would have some skepticism about a speculative office project for the site next to the Casino, but I could see a residential project working fine.

[Rodeno]

Originally Posted by Nexis4Jersey

So , that doesn't really mean anything....nor does it prevent Pittsburgh from having TOD....alot of cities are taking full advantage of TOD..

I agree, but you are talking about old rail systems that are their because there is a cultural and financial destination near by. NOVA is the same way... I'm not disagreeing with you that Pittsburgh could have TOD, but to compare area's of Pittsburgh to Metro NYC or D.C. is not logical. This city presents it's own challenged to TOD.

Any who, I would like to see more "metro" in the United States, but it takes funding that isn't available, and us American's love our cars, you might not, but the large majority do (my car is basically my office, will always need one).

[BrianTH]

Cars and transit are not natural enemies, we have just treated them that way.

[airwave09]

Originally Posted by Rodeno

Any who, I would like to see more "metro" in the United States, but it takes funding that isn't available, and us American's love our cars, you might not, but the large majority do (my car is basically my office, will always need one).

This statement really burns me. I'm not attacking you Rodeno, but the only reason the "funding isn't available" is because roads get all of it. There is nothing close to a fair division of transportation funding between roads and mas transit in this country. Until this thought process changes, all of our cities will be considered second rate in the developed world. European cities already blow ours out of the water.

[Aqua Teen Carl]

Originally Posted by airwave09

Until this thought process changes, all of our cities will be considered second rate in the developed world. European cities already blow ours out of the water.

I know Americans get really defensive when people post stuff like this, but it's true. Their roads are in better shape, transportation is much much better, the drivers actually take driving laws seriously, streets are much cleaner, bridges/buildings/parks are kept in top shape, and what I can tell other general infrastructure is better. It's a screwed up reality, and people get really angry when you point it out.

[markson33]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

I don't understand--both the article and the poster you were replying to specifically referenced residential projects, not a speculative office project.

I also would have some skepticism about a speculative office project for the site next to the Casino, but I could see a residential project working fine.

My bad. I need to read a little more. Hope it happens - that would be great.

[airwave09]

Originally Posted by Aqua Teen Carl

I know Americans get really defensive when people post stuff like this, but it's true. Their roads are in better shape, transportation is much much better, the drivers actually take driving laws seriously, streets are much cleaner, bridges/buildings/parks are kept in top shape, and what I can tell other general infrastructure is better. It's a screwed up reality, and people get really angry when you point it out.

Our right-wing slanted government (this includes both parties) is at fault here. Bankers and their enablers (lobbyists and representatives) have been leeching away all of our money from the people and our infrastructure budget into offshore accounts and other Anti-American greed induced crap for the past century.

The irony is that some idiots make fun of European countries by saying they are "Socialist" like it's a bad word or something. Tell me why the richest country in the world has crumbling infrastructure and no free health care, but much smaller European countries can pull this off easily?? It's the greed, as we are basically being robbed blind right and left every day and currently lack the ability to do anything about it.

[squarian]

An analysis of the reasons why the United States has failed to match the pace of the civilized world on infrastructure innovation and improvement would have to take a long view, beyond the usual MSM obsessions with horserace, party and access, to the structure of American government. One might begin with a slim little volume by Robert Dahl, professor emeritus of political science at Yale. In any case, while we wait for a third constitution, there are at least some public figures who still make their voices heard.

[UKyank]

Originally Posted by Aqua Teen Carl

I know Americans get really defensive when people post stuff like this, but it's true. Their roads are in better shape, transportation is much much better, the drivers actually take driving laws seriously, streets are much cleaner, bridges/buildings/parks are kept in top shape, and what I can tell other general infrastructure is better. It's a screwed up reality, and people get really angry when you point it out.

That's not a wholly fair assessment when we are talking about Pittsburgh. If your unfairly comparing Pittsburgh to say London or Paris then fair point, but if you wanted to be a accurate you should be comparing Pittsburgh to say Birmingham or Southampton which share all of the negative characterics that you listed above.