Babyland (Penn And Negley) New development? (Pittsburgh, California: to buy, live, restaurants)

[AaronPGH]

Originally Posted by doo dah

Since there is a divider on Penn, I don't see how west-bound traffic is supposed to even enter the proposed store lot.

I could make the argument that this is more of a hindrance for an auto-centric business like Autozone than it would be for a community-oriented business that people would walk to.

[doo dah]

Originally Posted by AaronPGH

I could make the argument that this is more of a hindrance for an auto-centric business like Autozone than it would be for a community-oriented business that people would walk to.

Exactly.

[Der Schwabe]

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

When I was a young man, there were a lot of 2nd and 3rd floor apartments in the Walnut St. business district, but they are basically there no more.

Confirming what eschaton said earlier, a good friend of mine lives in one of those second floor apartments near the old doc's (can't remember what it is now- shows you how much time I spend on Walnut). Cool apartment and definitely has some charm but the noise is a nightmare, especially getting on toward 2 AM. The real perk is the relatively low rent.

[Gee Whiz]

Originally Posted by Der Schwabe

Confirming what eschaton said earlier, a good friend of mine lives in one of those second floor apartments near the old doc's (can't remember what it is now- shows you how much time I spend on Walnut). Cool apartment and definitely has some charm but the noise is a nightmare, especially getting on toward 2 AM. The real perk is the relatively low rent.

Doc's is now Mario's East Side. I spent a lot of time in Doc's when I lived in Shadyside in the 1980s. We had many a conversation there about how great a city Pittsburgh was, but could be so much better if it weren't for city leaders. It is finally realizing it's potential 25-30 years later thanks to eds and meds, I'll give some credit to city leaders too. At least now, they do not derail most ambitious projects just to appease their elderly or NIMBY constituents. Now, their constituents may be younger and more progressive and the politicians may go along with their desires to get that vote.

[Gee Whiz]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

Why does it have to be one extreme or another? I don't wish for the East End to become overrun with either autocentric suburban-styled boxes surrounded by a sea of asphalt OR more places that charge $14 for an "artisan" sandwich because its both fair-trade and vegan-friendly while diners discuss the plight of Darfur or how far "ahead of the curve" they are because they went to Dartmouth. I'd actually like to see a middle-class FAMILY-FRIENDLY greasy spoon type of joint (i.e. Johnny Rocket's) at this intersection, along with more housing options, a discount clothing store (i.e. Gabriel Brothers), and maybe even a movie theater could be built on the site of Penn Plaza now that the Odeon project will no longer feature a theater. Naturally ALL would need parking, but I'd want to see parking be built in the REAR of each parcel (underground and/or a parking garage would be preferable, but I know that would be cost-prohibitive). Parking should be hidden to enhance the pedestrian experience, especially in a city.

I'm surprised at your views on this. I know in the past that you wanted more inexpensive food chains in the East End, not only for convenience and cost, but because you wanted it to resemble Reston, a place you dearly miss. I guess your stance differs on national auto part chains. As for parking, I respect the fact you like it in the rear. I am more in favor of parking garages in a dense city neighborhood, as you also mentioned. Parking Garages are not cheap to build, but can pay for themselves quickly and are cash cows if built the right size and are in the right location.

[CFP]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

You have GOT to be kidding me. What a very underwhelming choice for such a prime corner. Penn & Negley deserves so much more than an AutoZone across from a Monro Muffler, a ghetto housing complex, and a piece of garbage looking UPMC suburban one-story office building in front of a gas station.

very well put, and i am not the least bit surprised, just like i was not the least bit surprised to read
that "Casa Rasta will open this summer in East Liberty"

today you can get mexican food at mad mex, verde, chipotle, and patron
so of course someone's gonna open another restaurant that sells "tacos, tostadas, burritos and tortas"

east liberty already has munro muffler, goodyear auto, advance auto and midas
so of course someone's gonna open another auto parts store

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by CFP

very well put, and i am not the least bit surprised, just like i was not the least bit surprised to read
that "Casa Rasta will open this summer in East Liberty"

today you can get mexican food at mad mex, verde, chipotle, and patron
so of course someone's gonna open another restaurant that sells "tacos, tostadas, burritos and tortas"

I've been meaning to try Casa Rasta (I can never convince my wife to go all the way out there for dinner), so I'm thrilled about this.

It's not just a Mexican restaurant, BTW.

[wyoh]

Originally Posted by CFP

very well put, and i am not the least bit surprised, just like i was not the least bit surprised to read
that "Casa Rasta will open this summer in East Liberty"

today you can get mexican food at mad mex, verde, chipotle, and patron
so of course someone's gonna open another restaurant that sells "tacos, tostadas, burritos and tortas"

east liberty already has munro muffler, goodyear auto, advance auto and midas
so of course someone's gonna open another auto parts store

I'm glad another restaurant is going in there. Definitely a little odd that it's directly across the street from another Mexican restaurant and a block away from two of those others.

[CFP]

maybe one of you wants to buy the pizza sola on centre

Jim Aiello Jr. selling off Pizza Sola restaurants - Pittsburgh Business Times

[selltheburgh]

Casa Rasta is great. I preferred the taco shack to the new restaurant though. It reminded me of a hippie town in Latin America.

In related news:
The Ace hotel financing closed today.