Downtown Population increased 25% since 2000 (Pittsburgh, Penn: for sale, hair salon, real estate)

[jay5835]

Originally Posted by oh_hey

If architects could give us well insulated apartments to keep noise and neighbors out, there is no reason why someone that has a desk job needs land to mow.

Neighbor noise and smells are the only things I mind about apartment life. You'd think some smart developer would spend a little money making those things go away. Instead, they only spend money on differences you can see.

[Johnland]

I think part of Point Park should be developed for residential.

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by Johnland

I think part of Point Park should be developed for residential.

I disagree. It's a historical park. There is plenty of abandoned housing to rehab for residential.

[nuwaver88]

Originally Posted by Johnland

I think part of Point Park should be developed for residential.

I thought he was refering to Point Park University, not Point State Park. Point Park University does have ambitious plans that include student housing.

[Johnland]

Originally Posted by nuwaver88

I thought he was refering to Point Park University, not Point State Park. Point Park University does have ambitious plans that include student housing.

No, I did mean the Point Park, not the University. Point Park just seems so barren and lifeless. And if by historical, Katiana means it dates from the urban renewal of the 40's, well, that's not historic in the traditional sense to me. Actually, historically, that land was densely developed with residential, retail and industrial uses.

Of course, given its high visibility, the architecture would have to top notch.

[greg42]

Well, the park doesn't go back that far, true, but it is the original location of the fort. I prefer having the park there. There's a residential building right on the edge of it already, and I wonder if the new owners of the former state office building might not consider making that one as well. Not that offices don't like views too, of course, but the upper floors especially are in a good spot to have a commanding view of the point.

[BrianTH]

When they finish renovating Point Park, and eventually complete the Three Rivers Park concept . . .

Three Rivers Park - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10150/1061564-109.stm

. . . it will be the centerpiece of one of the most impressive and distinctive urban parks in the United States. I wouldn't think about touching it, at least not until the existing footprint of Downtown couldn't accomodate any more residential--which is a long time off.

[BrianTH]

Oh, and Millcraft is indeed considering putting 220 apartments in the State Office Building:

Pittsburgh's apartment market No. 1 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

[pman]

Q: Are you confident the city center can sustain retail? A lot of people still won't come Downtown to shop.
A: It's a vibrant neighborhood. There's more foot traffic [than our old space]. We have the new [Fairmont] Hotel next door, the new Three PNC Plaza, [retailers] Heinz Healey and Nettleton Shop, Market Square [renovation] is almost finished, and EQT is coming back from the North Side. It's very good.
I say to people, look, if you haven't been down here, you need to see what's going on because it's just lovely. We're really giving people a reason to come. It feels very energetic and positive.

Read more: Third-generation owner steers Downtown Pittsburgh clothier Larrimor's in new location

[BrianTH]

Yet another boomeranger story (about a young native who left Pittsburgh for greener pastures, only to eventually find herself returning).

Anyway, I think that question itself is ill-conceived: getting tons of people Downtown just to shop isn't likely to happen, and that is why all the ideas that basically boil down to creating a competitor for suburban-style shopping malls Downtown haven't worked out. But people work Downtown, increasingly people live Downtown, people visit Downtown for business and pleasure--those are the primary people you are after, the ones who also have some other reasons to be Downtown besides just shopping. And I would note that Ms. Michael's answer to the question touched on all of that.