Downtown Pittsburgh at 2/3rds of its activity level pre-COVID. (Butler: school, living)

[_Buster]

Originally Posted by Reggiezz

It's summer.

I read an interesting article yesterday obout the SF Mayor proposing to reimagine the city, tear down the now vacant mall and other buildings downtown and build something for a new city. Tricky situation, but better than sitting around hoping commuters will return. I think we should do the same.

Where was that article I'd like to read that. SF is much worse off than DT Pittsburgh though - really, almost ALL of the retail businesses there are cutting out. even defaulting on leases and loans to do it. some are describing it as a Death Loop that will be impossible to reverse until it hits rock bottom. which will be interesting to see what that looks like. Not that bad around Pittsburgh AFAIK

[Reggiezz]

Originally Posted by _Buster

Where was that article I'd like to read that. SF is much worse off than DT Pittsburgh though - really, almost ALL of the retail businesses there are cutting out. even defaulting on leases and loans to do it. some are describing it as a Death Loop that will be impossible to reverse until it hits rock bottom. which will be interesting to see what that looks like. Not that bad around Pittsburgh AFAIK

https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/23/busin...all/index.html

About 6 months ago, I read another article that found the higher the concentration of tech workers in your city, the worse off is the downtown these days. Politicians spent 20 years desperately trying to attract those businesses and workers.

[_Buster]

Originally Posted by Reggiezz

https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/23/busin...all/index.html

About 6 months ago, I read another article that found the higher the concentration of tech workers in your city, the worse off is the downtown these days. Politicians spent 20 years desperately trying to attract those businesses and workers.

Funniest line in it -"although it's not clear that crime has become much more serious"

LOL aren't they supposed to, ya know, look that up? and its kinda obvious after they stopped charging people if the theft was less than $1,000. really can it get any crazier in western civilization? IDK of any other society in history where theft was legal. maybe because it didn't last long enough to write about. progress, or something.

[bluecarebear]

I haven't seen this traffic outside of major events. I don't believe it. The city shuts down at 5.

[bluecarebear]

Originally Posted by Reggiezz

https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/23/busin...all/index.html

About 6 months ago, I read another article that found the higher the concentration of tech workers in your city, the worse off is the downtown these days. Politicians spent 20 years desperately trying to attract those businesses and workers.

Tech workers are keeping The Strip alive on life support during the week. Pittsburgh doesn't have the foot traffic from visitors unless there is a concert or game.

[szug-bot]

Originally Posted by bluecarebear

Tech workers are keeping The Strip alive on life support during the week. Pittsburgh doesn't have the foot traffic from visitors unless there is a concert or game.

hmmm, i dont know. you'd be surprised. people come from Ohio, WV, other parts of PA for a myriad of reasons. OK, not like the crowds youd get if there were a convention here, Pride, or a game, but they are out there consistently - visitors with short term stays.

the other day, i met a lovely, cute older couple from mexico. their daughter lives here now, and they (the couple) are visiting for 2 months). they were on their way to the state store there on smallman.

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by Reggiezz

It's summer.

I read an interesting article yesterday obout the SF Mayor proposing to reimagine the city, tear down the now vacant mall and other buildings downtown and build something for a new city. Tricky situation, but better than sitting around hoping commuters will return. I think we should do the same.

It's hard to figure out what would be worth tearing down downtown since we don't have a major mall or whatever. Maybe a couple of the Parking Authority garages? My understanding is they're never at capacity any longer, so the area could probably be of more use redeveloped.

Originally Posted by tyovan4

I take this with a grain of salt - is the fact that our public transit lines all concentrate downtown making our downtown's recovery look stronger than it actually is, in comparison to other cities?

Don't most cities have a major transit hub in Downtown?

Originally Posted by Reggiezz

https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/23/busin...all/index.html

About 6 months ago, I read another article that found the higher the concentration of tech workers in your city, the worse off is the downtown these days. Politicians spent 20 years desperately trying to attract those businesses and workers.

Pittsburgh tech jobs were never really concentrated downtown, of course. They were mostly in the Strip, Oakland, Bakery Square, etc.

There was a failed attempt pre-pandemic to turn the former Art Institute building on the Boulevard of the Allies into tech space. No one wanted to move in.

It feels like Downtown has always mostly been banks (especially PNC), law offices, and health insurance.

[wpipkins2]

Originally Posted by bluecarebear

Tech workers are keeping The Strip alive on life support during the week. Pittsburgh doesn't have the foot traffic from visitors unless there is a concert or game.

This is absolutely false. The Strip is packed 7 days a week…..

The new terminal building is a huge success and the residential component continues to expand. In fact the foot traffic in Lawrenceville and the Strip is busier than ever in my lifetime. I am in both places often.

[wpipkins2]

Originally Posted by bluecarebear

I haven't seen this traffic outside of major events. I don't believe it. The city shuts down at 5.

The city comes alive after 5. Everywhere from East Liberty to the Northshore….Not sure of why you still come to that lame dated conclusion.

[anthony_c55]

Originally Posted by wpipkins2

The city comes alive after 5. Everywhere from East Liberty to the Northshore….Not sure of why you still come to that lame dated conclusion.

Exactly. There are a lot of things going on. It's too bad people just assume.. especially when they don't venture out much.