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Letters: Make Downtown unique, not suburban
Sunday, December 31, 2000
Don't compete with malls
What Downtown needs is to provide the kinds of services that we can get in the suburbs (and some we don't), and to do it at a competitive price while making it easy enough for those of us in the suburbs to want to go Downtown to get it. What Downtown doesn't need is to try to compete directly with the suburban entities as if it's a level playing field, because it's not.
Example -- movie theater. A multiplex Downtown is not going to attract me when I've got 42 screens less than five minutes from my house. The parking is free here, and it's close to the theaters. The kind of theater that's going to attract me Downtown is a theater that offers me stuff I can't get here -- old movies, limited-release stuff. Think Pittsburgh Playhouse. And the parking has to be convenient and cheap enough that it's not a deterrent. If I have to park by Kaufmann's and walk to Market Square, guess what? I'm not showing up.
Downtown doesn't need a Planet Hollywood or a Hard Rock Cafe. Those places are not going to attract me on a regular basis. Once you go in and see the exhibits, what's left to see on a second or third visit? I'm not going back for a $9 cheeseburger. The only franchises of that ilk that will work are the ones that provide something different, like an ESPNZone or a House Of Blues. It can't serve as a Rosebud/Metropol clone. If that's all a chain club does, I'm going to spend my money on the local businesses, not the chains.
As for retail, what Downtown needs is not another upscale department store. I have yet to hear anyone working or shopping Downtown say, "If only Nordstrom were here." Retailers who come in have to respect the local clientele as well. I think an overlooked part of Lazarus' problems Downtown was the animosity that was built up by rerouting the buses away from the store. That kind of haughty attitude won't fly here, and I think Lazarus is paying for it now.
What Downtown retail has to provide is what it lacks, not more of what it already has. Some of the stores mentioned in Murphy's plans would have been welcome additions, but others were more of the same. A Borders with a music department would be most welcome or another big record store to compete with National Record Mart. How about an electronics store bigger and more varied than Radio Shack? What about a place where you can actually buy computer equipment and software other than the Apple store? How high- tech can Pittsburgh be without such a place?
The restaurant crowd will have an even tougher task, because they'll have to appeal to people on two levels. One is the nighttime crowd, but more important is the lunchtime crowd. You can talk all you want about developing Downtown into an 18-hour or 24-hour marketplace, but the restaurants will have to survive on the lunchtime crowd for a while until that marketplace develops, and a big, overpriced place won't cut it with the average working Joe. A better variety of fast food places and nicer restaurants is needed. Every place doesn't have to be Top of the Triangle, nor does it have to be McDonald's. Give us a good solid variety, and you'd be surprised what can thrive Downtown.
Use the space wisely. Not every store and restaurant needs to be ground level if the buildings are designed or used properly. Make the signs visible and entrances obvious, and the audience will find you. Spread a store over two or three floors instead of making it a one-floor monstrosity.
But most of all, don't ignore the merchants that are already here. The best thing about Downtown is that you can still find the little businesses that still care about all their customers. National chains, by their very nature, aren't going to be able to provide what our merchants do. Especially when they insult us and tell us they'll come as long as it's on our dime.
ALAN TIGNANELLI
Outdo suburban malls
1. Don't populate with stores and cinemas from the mall. Suburbanites can drive a shorter distance from home to go to the malls/cineplexes, park for free and shop or see a movie. There is a need for retail shops that will make the population from the suburbs drive past the malls and cineplexes in their neighborhoods and into town for a Nordstrom or Lord & Taylor.
2. Make parking easier and cheaper for after hours and weekends.
3. Instead of the multiscreen cineplex proposed by Urban Retail Properties, why not something like Rockefeller Plaza with a skating rink? Bring in some restaurants offering different types of food and price ranges to attract a wide variety of people. Maybe even one of the TV stations would relocate to the Plaza just like NBC Studios in New York City. Would a Heinz, a Hillman, a Schenley or a Mellon, etc. consider something like this?
FYI, I was in downtown Chicago five years ago and went through one of Urban Retail Properties' downtown mall on a Thursday evening after work. Guess what? It was nice but not busy! And a lot of the stores were chain retailers found in the malls!
CANDIS KINKUS
Glad old plan died
So we killed the Fifth and Forbes bit, did we? Good. It was a bad plan, and I say that as a newly planted Austinite. I'm not sure I can give you any good advice, but I can give you some perspective.
I grew up in Pittsburgh. I went to grad school at CMU. When I interviewed for jobs, I knew I needed to experience a different place, different people and different growth. My choices in cities were Boulder, Colo.; Annapolis, Md.; San Jose, Texas; and Austin, Texas. In the end, it was Austin. I chose Austin because it offered what I had known in Pittsburgh, but with a positive attitude. More than anything, though, it gave me my neighborhoods.
Unfortunately, Austin is already losing those neighborhoods to unthinking developers. Pittsburgh is fortunate that it has been unscarred by the kind of yawning yellow-machined destruction of economic nationalization. There are a few exceptions where it has snuck into the 'Burgh: the Pointe on 60 and 22, Monroeville, Pleasant Hills and Allegheny Center come to mind. But Pittsburgh is still mostly a virgin forest of human-scaled living. I breathed easier when Murphy finally let go the idiotic plan he was foisting on the city. Thank y'all for holding down the fort.
Suggestions:
1. Housing -- Put some real (and real-affordable) housing Downtown. Again, I turn to Austin, a city that made the mistake of having a thriving downtown scene without any real housing. As a result, all the people moved northwest of the city, drove in, got drunk and drove back out. Until Austin can build that housing, tax money goes to Round Rock, while the city of Austin cleans up the vomit.
2. Grocery stores and hardware stores -- Subsidize those things that people need, not those things that people want. I live where I do ( just outside the city proper, like a smaller version of Bloomfield) because I have a grocery store, a coffee shop and a drug/hardware store all in walking distance. I don't live where I do because I can walk to a Nordstrom. I more often need eggs and bread than I need a new pair of pants.
3. Attract those people who do not want a suburban experience. Yes, we exist. And we like foot traffic, spending time with our neighbors and a diverse population. And it is the diversity I want to emphasize. Pittsburgh looks like a grand mix when it is compared to Austin. Make Downtown the new centerpiece to a new diversity in Pittsburgh. Reach out to community groups of different kinds to be active in the housing effort. Remember that the shops in the "corridor" now serve a largely African-American population. Don't crowd that population out.
DANIEL MEHAFFEY
Housing, grocery, market
1. Housing -- You can't have a viable Downtown without housing, lofts, apartments, townhomes, etc.
2. Grocery -- Those who would or do live Downtown, where do they shop? Why not have a grocery Downtown? If the Downtown dwellers have to go to the 'burbs to shop, some of them will end up living there too. Plus a lot of us who work Downtown will pick up things before going home. It wouldn't have to be huge, but something larger than the 7-Eleven.
3. I seem to remember there being some discussion about something resembling the old market house that would be three to four stories high. Why not have the first-floor space for our local crafts people (I am not a craftsperson). We have some wonderful talent in this area; why not spotlight it? Perhaps the city or whoever would own the building could parcel out the first floor free or very reasonably priced for six- to 12-month leases and give the crafts people some additional exposure. Let's face it, when you've seen one Gap or Banana Republic, you've seen them all. But we have some very talented people in this area that would help to make our Downtown different from every other downtown in the country.
MARIAN ROZNOWSKI
Homes, fun, learning
As a contributor said earlier, "people attract people." Downtown Philadelphia has a good mix of small hotels, apartments and houses in the City Center. It's actually a neighborhood. To start this in Pittsburgh, have two projects for residences -- one for students attending any of the various colleges and universities and one for active adults retired but active.
What would they do? They and the rest of us would use the new Pittsburgh Life Center that would be a mix of educational and entertainment activities.
All of the local (and state) colleges and universities would have a shared "Downtown campus" that would offer courses on Saturdays, early evenings as well as daytime. Those working could get a degree before or after work as well as on the weekend.
High school seniors could get an early start by taking Saturday classes where they could try out different fields and different schools to see where they want to go. The universities would send their best to compete in this open market of the best of the best. Some schools would perhaps co-teach a course, and students could take advantage of professors/classes that their school doesn't offer but would be recognized by all the colleges.
Community colleges and institutes also would provide classes and presentations from arts and crafts to vocational classes. It would be a vibrant place where barriers are broken down and love of learning of any kind is respected and encouraged. National experts would come to give lectures or short courses. In short, all ages, cultures, schools would intermix and share learning and their experience. Nonprofit organizations and the medical centers would have offices there as well and would provide even a wider concept of learning. It would have the biggest and best library on a computer system.
This center also would be a major movie and entertainment complex. Half of the theaters would be designed for multipurpose -- commercial and art movies, classes, lectures, nightclub acts, small live theater and even religious services as needed.
Beyond theaters, there would be ongoing live displays by all the various attractions of the city -- zoo, botanical gardens, museums, aviary and history, science and amusement parks. Some would change on a monthly basis. Go to any event at the center and you would get a coupon to use at any of the other attractions the city has to offer. There would be "one of a kind" games of virtual reality and simulation. Education would be fun, and fun would be educational.
The center would have child care for parents to take advantage of a movie or a lecture. Preventive health issues would be offered by the local hospitals on a shared basis. There would be a shuttle bus connecting the schools with the Downtown campus.
Also, do fun and crazy things to liven up the rest of the city. Encourage street entertainers. Like Chicago's success with painted cows, Pittsburgh could have painted penguins or pirates statues scattered around the city. Or have "art benches" with the theme of "Washington slept here" and put them at bus stops, etc.
Go with the hot spot shuttle on the weekend that would run until the bars closed. Require that all ground level only parking lots become multilevel lots.
Every street should have trees and flower boxes.
Run ads in New York and other cities to move to Pittsburgh to work or to vacation here.
Have portable toilets and showers in various alleys for the homeless.
Allow house boats along the city riversides (even have houseboat rentals for river trips).
Require all bottles and cans to have a $5 deposit. This would encourage recycling and cleanup.
JOHN MANSMANN
How about a minimall?
Perhaps a minimall would be feasible for the small merchants of the Fifth/Forbes corridor -- anchored by the theaters and/or a small name store, restaurant or coffee shop.
ROBERT SPEEDE
Specifics of a plan
I strongly believe that the area of Fifth and Forbes Downtown needs to be redeveloped, but the mayor's ground-up plan will never work due to the politics of this city. It is every man for himself in city politics, instead of Pittsburgh vs. the world.
Starting at the block of Fifth and Liberty, about a dozen buildings are owned by PNC. This block would be very easy to develop because PNC has shown great interest in rehabbing this block. I suggest putting a mix of one-of-a-kind restaurants and stores. A Maggiano's could be placed on the corner of Fifth, Liberty and Market, where several insignificant buildings are located.
Going east on Fifth toward PNC Center could be another restaurant, The Palm, and a number of upscale stores including a Faconnable, Guess, Kenneth Kole/Reaction, Bebe, Polo/Ralph Lauren, Gucci, a Harold's and Armani Exchange. (These would be placed in the location of 201-207, 213, 219, 221, 229, 235 and 239 Fifth Ave. None of these buildings is historically important, and many business are national chains, such as Payless, GNC and Dress Up.)
Going farther down Fifth a Gap/Gap Kids/Baby Gap flagship store could be placed in between Lazarus and The Park building (339, 343 and 349 Fifth Ave.). Saks could expand its store on property where the Park building is and property adjacent to it on Oliver Avenue.
On the southern side of Fifth, starting by Liberty, could be an upscale clothier, such as a flagship Banana Republic (130 Fifth Ave.), and perhaps a Tiffany's on the first two floors of the Buhl Building (200 Fifth Ave.). Leave the G.C. Murphy building standing; the top floors can be used as high-tech hubs, while the first floor would be ideal for a sports bar, such as Dan Marino's.
Going eastward on Fifth, the buildings at 254, 244-250 and 242 Fifth Ave. could be razed and a Crate & Barrel would be placed there. The properties and business at 214-218, 240 and 256 Fifth Ave. will remain as is. (I also strongly suggest that all the buildings that will remain standing in the Fifth and Forbes area be eligible for grants to renovate and redo facades inside and out.)
The area of Fifth across from Lazarus (330-300 Fifth Ave.), could be another cluster of one-of-a-kind shops. Stores including Coach J. Jill, a flagship Finish Line, Urban Outfitters, Club Monaco, a flagship American Eagle and Cache. (This section also would be easy to do because of the lack of mom-and-pop stores.) A small underground garage of about 250 spaces could be located here.
Warner Center could be demolished, and a 14-screen state of the art cinema could go in its place. A 500 car underground garage with special rates would accompany it.
Going along Wood Street, the western side would remain as is, possibly expanding popular local establishments such as Mo Gear, Candy Rama, Rue 21 and Prime Gear. On the eastern side, the block of Fifth and Wood could include an F.A.O. Schwarz.
The northern part of Forbes, between Wood and Smithfield would remain as is (excluding Warner Center), but spruced up. The southern side of Forbes would also remain the same, with the exception of the corner of Forbes and Wood, where a Borders Books would be placed.
I like the idea of having local corridors for stores that would have to be moved. The two areas originally planned (as noted from a map in the May 20 Post-Gazette) on Forbes should include brick walkways, trees and benches, signs, decorative lampposts, and allow pedestrians to walk from Forbes to Fourth Avenue. About five to 10 stores could be located in each corridor, making them nice little strips of local stores to stroll through on lunch break.
The block of Forbes between Market Square would be more entertainment based. On the northern side no buildings would be demolished. A couple of upscale restaurants, such as Wolfgang Puck Cafe, could go into the building at 239 Forbes (currently a CVS). An Il Foniolia, could be located at 219 Forbes Ave. On the southern side of this block, a cluster of buildings including McDonald's, NRM and Photo Hut would be the site of a Virgin Records megastore, Rock Bottom Brewery and House Of Blues. The second local corridor would also be located here.
I would leave Market Square alone for now, because with all this new foot traffic it would flourish on its own. Over all street improvements, new sidewalks, trees, and street lamps would also be required. Some 250 to 350 units of market rate housing would also be a key element to this project.
ANTHONY BIAMONTE
Build a Market House
My comments are regarding the "Fifth & Forbes" retail area Downtown. I honestly feel that Pittsburgh needs one very large Market House Downtown that will have space for 200 to 300 vendors. The city could own this Market House and collect the rent from the vendors. I know that Mayor Murphy will say that we have the Strip District. The Strip is not what it used to be:
1. It is difficult to find parking.
2. The night spots are taking over the Strip.
3. It is too cold to shop the Strip in the winter and too wet when it is raining.
4. If you take PAT to the Strip, you need to transfer in town.
5. The Strip is too far to walk from Downtown.
6. The Strip is often very crowded and hard to get around. It is too small.
My wife and I have been to many cities in Canada and Europe that have great Market areas in the heart of town. We were at one in Toronto, Canada, and it was packed with people. I know that the merchants in the Strip will complain; let them, they do not own the city. They could rent space in the Market House.
STEVE PECKYNO
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