What would you like to see in Pittsburgh? (Bethlehem, Lebanon: homes, theater)

[Tombstoner]

Originally Posted by OyCrumbler

Pretty much everything people have said so far makes perfect sense and should be done (livelier downtown, better mass transit especially to the airport and the east end, new industry, better use of its natural advantages on the waterfront and in the hillsides, greater political diversity).

However, I'm less in favor of bringing larger chains as much as I am in favor of incubating locally-grown and owned shops if possible. As far as what industry I would like to see be brought to Pittsburgh, I think media production would be great. Those old factory buildings can be converted into nice, little soundstages. The city has a wide array of locales that can be used. CMU can play a huge part in this what with its multimedia programs and drama department. The Keystone Corridor high-speed rail line actually being built would be great (and even better if it was extended and became the major rail link between the East Coast and the Midwest). Strong showings on the part of smaller political parties would also be great.

Some closing of a bridge here and there every once in a while for a party/gala would be fun, too.

All of these are great ideas. They really play to Pittsburgh's strenghts and would keep the city distinctive. I also think a Smithsonian-affiliated "National Museum of Industry and Technology" sited in some abandoned/refurbished mill would fit in with this overall goal.

[John Buettner]

Me

[neurodistortion]

Open an observation deck in the US Steel/UPMC whatever tower.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by Tombstoner

I also think a Smithsonian-affiliated "National Museum of Industry and Technology" sited in some abandoned/refurbished mill would fit in with this overall goal.

They are thinking of doing some sort of steel museum with the Carrie Furnace site. An association with the Smithsonian would be a great idea.

[Katarina Witt]

How about an NBA team?

[Copanut]

Originally Posted by Katiana

How about an NBA team?

Never happen, and this from a pro b-ball fan.

[Tombstoner]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

They are thinking of doing some sort of steel museum with the Carrie Furnace site. An association with the Smithsonian would be a great idea.

A steel museum seems to be a bit narrow in scope. I can't imagine too many people wanting to go to something so focused; it could be a great exhibit in the Heinz History Center, though.

[BrianTH]

They can't really move Carrie Furnaces 6 and 7 to Heinz, but I agree that what they have planned seems to be more in the spirit of a (really cool) exhibit than a full-blown museum. But I don't necessarily have a problem with that: some of my favorite visits have been to really focused sites.

[PreservationPioneer]

I would like to see Pittsburgh stop tearing down historic buildings.

[Tombstoner]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

They can't really move Carrie Furnaces 6 and 7 to Heinz, but I agree that what they have planned seems to be more in the spirit of a (really cool) exhibit than a full-blown museum. But I don't necessarily have a problem with that: some of my favorite visits have been to really focused sites.

I think it could be an interesting site-based exhibit that people might like to see once, but it's a shame not to attempt something a little more ambitious given the larger industrial history of the region. Museums tend to draw visitors over and over again. I certainly wasn't thinking they would move a furnace to the Heinz Center; my ideal situation would be keep the furnaces as a centerpiece of a thematically larger museum on Industry and Technology and create a kick-ass exhibit on steel at the Heinz (which, frankly, is lacking anything really great).