Golden Triangle buildings could get face-lifts
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The city is looking to brighten up some "dark corners" Downtown.
Aided by a $4 million state redevelopment assistance grant, the Urban Redevelopment Authority hopes to target rundown buildings Downtown and work with property owners to upgrade them.
The project is designed to supplement a larger revitalization in the Golden Triangle that already has included the construction of the Three PNC Plaza office tower and the redevelopment of a former five-and-dime store and a department store into residential, retail and other uses.
With much of that work completed, the URA has decided to go after properties "in need of some reinvestment" -- not to buy but to approach and work with the owners about making improvements.
"This is really a building-by-building, block-by-block approach," said Yarone Zober, URA board chairman and chief of staff to Mayor Luke Ravenstahl.
Mr. Zober said the genesis for the idea came during walks he and Mr. Ravenstahl had Downtown.
"One thing the mayor and I noticed at street level were individual buildings that needed work ... or didn't have street-level appeal. They detracted from the general feel and look of the Downtown corridor," he said.
"It became very clear that we needed new tools to continue the revitalization of Downtown."
Funds from the grant, awarded by Gov. Ed Rendell earlier this month, can be used to make facade improvements or to address "life safety" issues that prevent property owners from using upper floors for residences or other purposes.
Life-safety improvements could include stairwells, elevators or other measures to bring buildings up to code. URA executive director Rob Stephany said such improvements typically run $250,000 at the minimum.
While projects like Three PNC, Piatt Place and Market Square Place have helped to transform Downtown, there are other buildings still in need of work, including some near the upscale Capital Grille restaurant at Fifth Avenue and Wood Street, Mr. Stephany said.
"You go to wait for the valet to bring your car back and there's blight staring you in the face," he said.
Properties the city initially is targeting for possible work include the Thompson Building on Market Street between Fifth and Market Square and a building owned by the Order of Italian Sons & Daughters of America at Wood and Forbes Avenue that once housed a McDonald's restaurant.
First Published December 26, 2010 12:00 am
