Suburb of the week: McCandless (Pittsburgh, Braddock: apartments, townhouses, neighborhoods)

[eschaton]

McCandless is a home rule municipality located in the North Hills region of Allegheny County. First incorporated as a township in 1857, its early history was as a sparsely populated agricultural hinterland for the City of Pittsburgh. During this farming period its population was relatively stagnant, generally hovering at around 1,000 residents. Although there were efforts to develop the Highland/Ingomar areas as railroad suburbs when the interurban commuter rail Harmony Line was active, the real growth period of the township did not begin until automotive popularity rose. From 1920 to 1950 the population of the township jumped from under 1,500 to nearly 6,500, but this was nothing compared to the postwar boom (the 1950s alone saw the population of the township increase by a staggering 125%). Growth began tailing off as the 20th century wore on, however, and by 2000 the municipality was essentially built out, and has been stagnant with a population of about 29,000 ever since.

McCandless has a very typical typology for a North Hills suburb, with residential subdivisions built on hilltops, with the major commercial corridors built in the low-lying valleys that cut between these hills. There is comparably less development along McKnight Road through McCandless than either Ross to the south or Pine Township to the north, but there is still a fair amount of development, including a Giant Eagle, LA Fitness, TGI Friday's, Lowes, movie theater, Target, and Whole Foods. The municipality also has many schools (including North Allegheny's senior high school), a hospital (UPMC Passavant), La Roche College, and the bulk of North Park, including the a golf course, pool, and the boathouse. The municipality has a small office park in its southern portion, and a small industrial park in the middle. The housing stock of McCandless is mostly classic Pittsburgh suburbia (ranging from prewar to the 1990s) but there is also a substantial amount of townhouse-style complexes (some very recently built) in areas just off of McKight road. Altogether McCandless does relatively well in having a diversified property base for a suburban municipality in the Pittsburgh area, although of course none of it is walkable.

[Copanut]

Originally Posted by eschaton

McCandless is a home rule municipality located in the North Hills region of Allegheny County. First incorporated as a township in 1857, its early history was as a sparsely populated agricultural hinterland for the City of Pittsburgh. During this farming period its population was relatively stagnant, generally hovering at around 1,000 residents. Although there were efforts to develop the Highland/Ingomar areas as railroad suburbs when the interurban commuter rail Harmony Line was active, the real growth period of the township did not begin until automotive popularity rose. From 1920 to 1950 the population of the township jumped from under 1,500 to nearly 6,500, but this was nothing compared to the postwar boom (the 1950s alone saw the population of the township increase by a staggering 125%). Growth began tailing off as the 20th century wore on, however, and by 2000 the municipality was essentially built out, and has been stagnant with a population of about 29,000 ever since.

McCandless has a very typical typology for a North Hills suburb, with residential subdivisions built on hilltops, with the major commercial corridors built in the low-lying valleys that cut between these hills. There is comparably less development along McKnight Road through McCandless than either Ross to the south or Pine Township to the north, but there is still a fair amount of development, including a Giant Eagle, LA Fitness, TGI Friday's, Lowes, movie theater, Target, and Whole Foods. The municipality also has many schools (including North Allegheny's senior high school), a hospital (UPMC Passavant), La Roche College, and the bulk of North Park, including the a golf course, pool, and the boathouse. The municipality has a small office park in its southern portion, and a small industrial park in the middle. The housing stock of McCandless is mostly classic Pittsburgh suburbia (ranging from prewar to the 1990s) but there is also a substantial amount of townhouse-style complexes (some very recently built) in areas just off of McKight road. Altogether McCandless does relatively well in having a diversified property base for a suburban municipality in the Pittsburgh area, although of course none of it is walkable.

Bull$hit.

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by Copanut

Bull$hit.

Maybe none was a bit of an overstatement. But many of the older subdivisions in the municipality don't even have sidewalks. Even in the newer areas that do, it's usually a pretty long walk to anything useful.

I could see the Ingomar area being considered as semi-walkable perhaps. Although again, not every side street has sidewalks.

[Paul2421]

Originally Posted by eschaton

McCandless is a home rule municipality located in the North Hills region of Allegheny County. First incorporated as a township in 1857, its early history was as a sparsely populated agricultural hinterland for the City of Pittsburgh. During this farming period its population was relatively stagnant, generally hovering at around 1,000 residents. Although there were efforts to develop the Highland/Ingomar areas as railroad suburbs when the interurban commuter rail Harmony Line was active, the real growth period of the township did not begin until automotive popularity rose. From 1920 to 1950 the population of the township jumped from under 1,500 to nearly 6,500, but this was nothing compared to the postwar boom (the 1950s alone saw the population of the township increase by a staggering 125%). Growth began tailing off as the 20th century wore on, however, and by 2000 the municipality was essentially built out, and has been stagnant with a population of about 29,000 ever since.

McCandless has a very typical typology for a North Hills suburb, with residential subdivisions built on hilltops, with the major commercial corridors built in the low-lying valleys that cut between these hills. There is comparably less development along McKnight Road through McCandless than either Ross to the south or Pine Township to the north, but there is still a fair amount of development, including a Giant Eagle, LA Fitness, TGI Friday's, Lowes, movie theater, Target, and Whole Foods. The municipality also has many schools (including North Allegheny's senior high school), a hospital (UPMC Passavant), La Roche College, and the bulk of North Park, including the a golf course, pool, and the boathouse. The municipality has a small office park in its southern portion, and a small industrial park in the middle. The housing stock of McCandless is mostly classic Pittsburgh suburbia (ranging from prewar to the 1990s) but there is also a substantial amount of townhouse-style complexes (some very recently built) in areas just off of McKight road. Altogether McCandless does relatively well in having a diversified property base for a suburban municipality in the Pittsburgh area, although of course none of it is walkable.

the neighborhoods surrounding mccandless crossing are easily walkable. i don't really get the "of course none of it is walkable" line. when was the last time you were in the area?

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by Paul2421

the neighborhoods surrounding mccandless crossing are easily walkable. i don't really get the "of course none of it is walkable" line. when was the last time you were in the area?

While you can theoretically walk from these townhouses to the businesses in the distance, it doesn't fit what urban planners would consider to be walkable. Something like this in Atlanta is a better example. New construction town center with no parking lots with homes only a few blocks away.

[Copanut]

I walked up to Big Ben's house last night.

[Paul2421]

Originally Posted by eschaton

While you can theoretically walk from these townhouses to the businesses in the distance, it doesn't fit what urban planners would consider to be walkable. Something like this in Atlanta is a better example. New construction town center with no parking lots with homes only a few blocks away.

yeah i agree something like that is definitely preferable. just putting the discussion out there that a walkable lifestyle is available if you want in the area. the club at north hills apartments are right there as well. there is also a bus line with a good amount of activity that runs down 19. i really do appreciate there writeups, just providing some context as someone familiar with the area.

for context:
https://www.walkscore.com/score/cumb...burgh-pa-15237 Cumberland road: walk score: 63 transit score: 29

https://www.walkscore.com/score/s-br...ttsburgh-pa-us S Braddock in Regent Square: walk score: 61 transit score: 48

[UKyank]

All I know about McCandless is it’s the area where all my coworkers move to when they turn 35

[7starsaroundthemoon]

You should see the election for town council. We have a drama queen running.... it's hysterical.

[Merge]

This is the most generic community in Allegheny County, which is why many generic people love it.