Whole Foods back on for East Liberty (Pittsburgh: bike, best time)

[eschaton]

I think it's worth mentioning that in the most recent period the housing activists had more or less dropped opposition to the project, with the "Friends of Enright Park" group (which is really from what I understand just a front group for a few rich NIMBYs who live on Amber Street and S Saint Clair Streets) were the ones attempting to tie things up with further legal challenges.

That said, I agree with SCR that this was an "unforced error" on the part of the low-income groups, and having market-rate housing there would have ultimately been better in terms of preserving low-income housing in East Liberty, because each new-construction unit taken up by a "rich" person means one less unit getting gentrified out from under a long-term renter.

[svband76]

Originally Posted by Independentthinking83

They are a cog in the wheel and hinder progress. Ever wonder why it takes forever to get projects approved and then completed?

This is such a generalized statement that makes zero sense.

Some NIMBYs have legitimate concerns. And commercial developments aren't always progress.

Progress can be taking your time to build a sustainable community and making sure decisions aren't rushed just for the sake of "it's better than an empty lot" argument...

[Paul2421]

how many people will be employed in a building like this? 700 spots seems like a lot (no pun intended)...

[gg]

Originally Posted by zalewskimm

This is such a generalized statement that makes zero sense.

Some NIMBYs have legitimate concerns. And commercial developments aren't always progress.

Progress can be taking your time to build a sustainable community and making sure decisions aren't rushed just for the sake of "it's better than an empty lot" argument...

I think our progress has been moving very slow considering these are great times.

I think people forget how great East Liberty was. I would like to see it saved from further blight. Time for East Liberty to get back to its roots and that is more affluent people that contribute to Pittsburgh in big ways. We need roads fixed and bridges repaired. Less litter would be nice.

[bradjl2009]

Originally Posted by gg

I think our progress has been moving very slow considering these are great times.

Lol, for who? The average American would fine the idea these are "great times" laughable. There have obviously been worse times, but I would wager the average American was much happier 20 years ago vs now...

[gg]

Originally Posted by bradjl2009

Lol, for who? The average American would fine the idea these are "great times" laughable. There have obviously been worse times, but I would wager the average American was much happier 20 years ago vs now...

The only reason people were happier, which I doubt was because of hyped media for ratings. These are the best times in history if you could put away media. No question. Best food, best technology, best healthcare, longest lifespan, best amenities and so on. Heck the poorest of the poor not on drugs have smartphones and a huge screen TV, not to mention eating very well. If you are on drugs that is on you.

Study history. Today is as good as it has ever been by far. Just media that is controlled by the far left that hates humans, hates themselves, hates progress and hates anyone that is successful with any money at all. The left is really nuts and killing our country because they focus on a few wealthy people and want you to be jealous. Guess what? We have it great. If you don't that is on you.

We are so lucky, but if you hate yourself and anyone successful, you will never be happy.

[szug-bot]

Originally Posted by bradjl2009

Lol, for who? The average American would fine the idea these are "great times" laughable. There have obviously been worse times, but I would wager the average American was much happier 20 years ago vs now...

20 years ago? do you remember pop music then? it was full of misery, anti-cop rap music, grunge that was about self-loathing and drug addiction (i loved all of it, don't get me wrong!). No, there was a malaise then, as there is now. and there were other very happy, life-lusting people, as there are now.

read up on the early 20th century - just before WWI to the end of WWII - that was an almost 30 year period of constant war, genocide, and fascism for tens of millions.

an unreasonable comparison? OK - boarding a Pat bus in 2009 - what an exercise in patience no one today would tolerate. it may take 3-5 minutes or more, for a parade of riders to dig through their pockets for change.

there were NO bike trails in 2009. now, an urbanite can conceivably get to work over a distance of 3-6 miles with zero emissions, by using a bicycle, with minimal reasonable impediment to other vehicles. despite what one thinks, at least there IS this commuting options where an individual can work the body, reduce traffic volume, and contribute nothing to pollution.

the city of pittsburgh was nearly broke 20 years ago, eventually did get to that point, but now is in the black.

people might not have been across the board angry, standoffish, and ready to shoot when being asked to silence their voices in a public place....OK, that I'll give you.

but i'll take 2019!

[gg]

Originally Posted by szug-bot

20 years ago? do you remember pop music then? it was full of misery, anti-cop rap music, grunge that was about self-loathing and drug addiction (i loved all of it, don't get me wrong!). No, there was a malaise then, as there is now. and there were other very happy, life-lusting people, as there are now.

read up on the early 20th century - just before WWI to the end of WWII - that was an almost 30 year period of constant war, genocide, and fascism for tens of millions.

an unreasonable comparison? OK - boarding a Pat bus in 2009 - what an exercise in patience no one today would tolerate. it may take 3-5 minutes or more, for a parade of riders to dig through their pockets for change.

there were NO bike trails in 2009. now, an urbanite can conceivably get to work over a distance of 3-6 miles with zero emissions, by using a bicycle, with minimal reasonable impediment to other vehicles. despite what one thinks, at least there IS this commuting options where an individual can work the body, reduce traffic volume, and contribute nothing to pollution.

the city of pittsburgh was nearly broke 20 years ago, eventually did get to that point, but now is in the black.

people might not have been across the board angry, standoffish, and ready to shoot when being asked to silence their voices in a public place....OK, that I'll give you.

but i'll take 2019!

Our luxury living is wildly high in comparison to a very short time ago. It is shocking people can't seem to remember a mere 20 or so years ago. Now if you go back to 70's and 80's Pittsburgh we are talking about very hard times and people leaving our area in droves. Very few young people stayed due to no jobs.

These are the best times in US history. There are always going to be some people suffering, but so much help is there for the taking if they choose to take it and even the poor have $1,000 smartphones. Geez!

Ah well, there is a group of people that just hate people and themselves and they want to bring others down with them. They hate anything successful. Odd way of living, but it is certainly for real with a certain political group. All negative all the time and they want to act like victims (nothing to do with race, I actually feel most of the black population is doing way better than the group I am referring to). This behavior seems to feed on itself. They sure clog up the Internet and media though. Running around crying to everyone. Goodness, wait when we hit harder times which is normal. They will be really lost or maybe they will be happier because they will have more company in their misery.

Anyway, I hope East Liberty slowly gets back to a vibrant place. It will never be as grand as it was way back when all those churches were filled and the area wasn't full of litter, but at least it will be vibrant if idiots like Peduto will just allow progress and a clean up to take place.

[svband76]

Originally Posted by szug-bot

there were NO bike trails in 2009.

I'm pretty sure the Eliza Furnace "Jail Trail" was in existence in 2009, as well as the rail trail in the South Side from West End Bridge to South Side Works and the one that runs past the stadiums to the McKees Rocks and the one that goes past the Heinz Plant. Pretty sure.

I recall running the Jail Trail back when it was dirt and gravel. We have former mayor Tom Murphy to thank for many of the early trails.

[szug-bot]

Originally Posted by zalewskimm

I'm pretty sure the Eliza Furnace "Jail Trail" was in existence in 2009, as well as the rail trail in the South Side from West End Bridge to South Side Works and the one that runs past the stadiums to the McKees Rocks and the one that goes past the Heinz Plant. Pretty sure.

I recall running the Jail Trail back when it was dirt and gravel. We have former mayor Tom Murphy to thank for many of the early trails.

true - i had used the Eliza as well. Specifically, what i meant was the trail "system", signage, and so on.