Fitzgerald offers county police support to help address Downtown Pittsburgh safety concerns (Birmingham: storage, food)

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by erieguy

Standards obviously differ. “City hoods”, filth, crime, etc…, is simply normal for some. In folks defense, they don’t know anything else.

I wouldn't call it "normal". Am I thrilled that my own neighborhood is a mess? No. Can I do anything about it? No. Our mayor doesn't even know our neighborhood exists.

All I do is walk around picking up litter for hours per week because that's the only thing I feel like I can do. Thankfully a $3,000,000 grant is going to help rehabilitate an old school in my neighborhood into yuppie apartments, so maybe things will start turning around once they start moving in.

I am aware neighborhoods like mine should not be considered "normal". I just spent a weekend visiting friends in Centre County, PA. Bellefonte and State College along with their surrounding townships are incredible---nearly no litter or illegal dumping; good infrastructure; no violence; etc. THAT should be the standard our city's neighborhoods strive to attain.

[gg]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

I wouldn't call it "normal". Am I thrilled that my own neighborhood is a mess? No. Can I do anything about it? No. Our mayor doesn't even know our neighborhood exists.

All I do is walk around picking up litter for hours per week because that's the only thing I feel like I can do. Thankfully a $3,000,000 grant is going to help rehabilitate an old school in my neighborhood into yuppie apartments, so maybe things will start turning around once they start moving in.

I am aware neighborhoods like mine should not be considered "normal". I just spent a weekend visiting friends in Centre County, PA. Bellefonte and State College along with their surrounding townships are incredible---nearly no litter or illegal dumping; good infrastructure; no violence; etc. THAT should be the standard our city's neighborhoods strive to attain.

Good to hear about the old school building. Love when buildings are saved from destruction.

I have been trying to understand how we can go from such a good trajectory 6 years ago, to a complete disgrace of a city. Well other than the wealthy East End of course that is really our city center along with Oakland. Our new trend is pretty amazing. Filth and crime. Simple businesses closing down. It is pretty rare a McDonalds closes, but the only one downtown couldn't make it? Is there another city in the US that doesn't have a McDonalds in the entire downtown? I don't eat at them, but it is interesting.

It seems our new trend is headed for a Homewood style, or East Hills around the abandoned shopping center. Just a depressing mess. There are just so many people that litter and don't care about anything that I don't see a change coming anytime soon. Our state has poor leadership and so does our city. Gone are the Murphy days. He was a real go getter and pushed our city in a better direction. He pushed the North Side and did make a difference in the lower areas at least. Sadly the big old homes on Perry Hilltop and up there are forgotten, unless you have a great view on Perrysville or a few other streets like Clayton.

The focus for most mayors isn't the bad so much, it is more to make sure the wealthy East Enders are happy. They vote. Downtown is still meaningless. Not many voters. I'm glad I don't have to go there anymore. Last time I rode through was so depressing. I usually ride down to the point and even the nice little river trail has gang bander row with the murals of gangsters. Where else can you shoot someone in the stomach and be in a gun battle and have your picture painted in what should be a relaxing nice part of the city by the river? Guess he was someone to inspire to? Odd.

I hope the school helps your little area. Time will tell if the nimbies get involved and make sure most of it is section 8. They sure messed up that Civic Arena sight for so many years, I don''t want to count. What I nightmare. Maybe the school building will be too small to get their attention.

[Benzman66]

Originally Posted by gg

It is pretty rare a McDonalds closes, but the only one downtown couldn't make it? Is there another city in the US that doesn't have a McDonalds in the entire downtown? I don't eat at them, but it is interesting.

Not to get off track, but there were 3 McD's downtown,

Wood Street,
Smithfield Street,
Liberty Ave


Liberty is still open for business as of the other day when passing by.

[tyovan4]

Looks like the McDonalds on Wood Street closed. The drug dealer one on Smithfield has been closed for a while.
Also looks like both Burger Kings downtown closed - one on Smithfield, and the other on Forbes (near Ross)??

[wpipkins2]

Originally Posted by Benzman66

Not to get off track, but there were 3 McD's downtown,

Wood Street,
Smithfield Street,
Liberty Ave


Liberty is still open for business as of the other day when passing by.

There were four McDonald’s. There were two McDonald’s on Wood St as well as the Smithfield and Stanwix/Gateway Center location.

We also had two Wendy’s and a Roy Rogers Chicken not to long ago. I think all of the Arby’s locations have closed. The McDonald’s closures were not a surprise as these were drug havens and mostly run by halfway house residents. The food isn’t healthy anyway.

[svband76]

Did someone mention the old GC Murphy's? Another classic store. Wood original floors until the end. Lunch counter on bottom floor. Could buy Pirates tickets at a street/sidewalk window. Forget how long ago they closed. 20 years?

[wpipkins2]

Originally Posted by svband76

Did someone mention the old GC Murphy's? Another classic store. Wood original floors until the end. Lunch counter on bottom floor. Could buy Pirates tickets at a street/sidewalk window. Forget how long ago they closed. 20 years?

That 2.99 lunch special. Woolworth’s had a similar set further up Fifth.

[guy2073]

Originally Posted by wpipkins2

There were four McDonald’s. There were two McDonald’s on Wood St as well as the Smithfield and Stanwix/Gateway Center location.

We also had two Wendy’s and a Roy Rogers Chicken not to long ago. I think all of the Arby’s locations have closed. The McDonald’s closures were not a surprise as these were drug havens and mostly run by halfway house residents. The food isn’t healthy anyway.

There was one in the strip on penn and 16th that closed a few years ago. Demand for their unhealthy food has gone away.

[Copanut]

Their food may stink, but they have the best draft Diet Coke!

[guy2073]

Originally Posted by Copanut

Their food may stink, but they have the best draft Diet Coke!

Diet coke is the worst, diet dr pepper is where it is at.