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The rivers should be available to all to use
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Regarding the Buncher plans ("Former Pittsburgh Mayor Tells Council To Rethink Strip District River Project," Dec. 6): One of my daughters lived in Chicago. While visiting, we were able to walk to the lake front. Chicago has 26 miles of lake front open to the public -- beaches, volleyball courts, bike trails, but no high-rise buildings, no parking lots. Boats were on the lake and we accessed them by footbridges that were garnished with flower baskets.
Another daughter lives in Seattle. We visited our in-laws there and they can see Lake Washington from their house. I decided to walk to the lake front. There was private, residential property as far as I could see. I asked how far I had to walk to get to an "opening" to the lake, and I was told five miles.
During the Steelers game on the Sunday night a few weeks ago, the NBC shots of our town that included the rivers were most impressive. When my son goes to a Pirates game he likes seats in the upper deck behind home plate, saying the view of the bridges and town add to the game's ambiance.
In view of the impending decision on the Buncher Company's Strip District development, former Mayor Tom Murphy (God bless him) is right. The rivers should be accessible by all and the river edges should be park-like.
Before any decision is made on the Buncher development, I urge all involved to go to the Chicago lake front and maybe to Lake Washington as well.
I understand the Buncher Strip District plans show parking lots are going to be in proximity to the rivers edge and the river will not be accessible at all locations. I find this very disappointing.
We can do better. Let's follow Chicago's lead.
FRANCIS ZALEWSKI
Murrysville
First Published December 11, 2012 12:00 am
