Fire at Forward and Murray (to live, safe, office)

[SolitaryThrush]

Originally Posted by Moby Hick

I sort of doubt it was arson of the property-redevelopment sort. I haven't read anything about any insurance and there wasn't any real movement I'm aware of trying to preserve the buildings. (If somebody does want to preserve the Poli building, I don't think it was hurt badly enough to stop them.) Plus, it was in the middle of the day.

The Poli building is coming down today, too: Squirrel Hill fire will force demolition of old Poli restaurant | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

[Moby Hick]

Originally Posted by SolitaryThrush

The Poli building is coming down today, too: Squirrel Hill fire will force demolition of old Poli restaurant | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Oh. I hadn't seen the reports this morning.

[charisb]

Originally Posted by Moby Hick

I sort of doubt it was arson of the property-redevelopment sort. I haven't read anything about any insurance and there wasn't any real movement I'm aware of trying to preserve the buildings. (If somebody does want to preserve the Poli building, I don't think it was hurt badly enough to stop them.) Plus, it was in the middle of the day.

My guess is that if it was arson, it was of the hobo not putting out his smokes right sort.

I agree--it would be too obvious otherwise.
I have heard a lot of stories about the old Poli's. My 85 year old neighbor used to go there on special occasions, first with her parents, then with her husband. She showed me some lovely photos of her wedding luncheon held there in 1959.

[szug-bot]

Originally Posted by charisb

....If it wasn't for the blazing inferno it could have been a block party.

haha!

Care to share the photos of the wedding luncheon, if she were to offer them? They'd be amazing to see.

[Zhym]

Has anyone ever heard that intersection called "the gateway to Squirrel Hill," as the PG claims? That's a new one on me.

[Moby Hick]

Originally Posted by Zhym

Has anyone ever heard that intersection called "the gateway to Squirrel Hill," as the PG claims? That's a new one on me.

It's not something I hear people saying just in casual conversation, but the idea has been around for white a while among those who worry about such things.

http://www.shuc.org/documents/Forwar...inalReport.pdf

[I_Like_Spam]

Originally Posted by Zhym

Has anyone ever heard that intersection called "the gateway to Squirrel Hill," as the PG claims? That's a new one on me.

I never heard it referred as such to now, but it is the front door to the community when people arrive in the neighborhood.

[shadowfax]

I had just gotten home from work when the news broke. Walked outside and watched the news choppers hover around the giant smoke plume. A fire truck was parked in front of my house and one of the other tenants asked me if I called them. I was like, "um nope dinner isn't burning tonight. It's the Poli building."

WTAE was all over it.

Had to head up the hill to Solway street for my aikido class and took Shady ave all the way up to Forbes. Traffic was pretty crazy and people were coming out of their houses and walking down the street to watch. I was glad to see they had it under control by the time I headed back home. That corner actually looks much better, even with the giant pile of ruble where the building was.

[szug-bot]

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

I never heard it referred as such to now, but it is the front door to the community when people arrive in the neighborhood.

There IS that sign south of the Murray/Forward intersection. Doesn't it say "welcome" or something? The area was sort of crowned "the gateway" by the Squirrel HIll Urban Coalition. I think.

[Moby Hick]

I was just by the corner. It still smells like fire. I could tell even though I just left the Squirrel Cage. People are watching the demolition.