Category Archive: Downtown Development
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On the Decision Regarding the Civic Arena by the Sports & Exhibition Authority
PHLF News
October 1, 2010We at Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation regret the potential loss of the Civic Arena as a unique example of early modernism in American architecture.
Conceived by philanthropist Edgar J. Kaufmann, Sr. and funded as an innovative public-private partnership, the project was intended to be a grand contribution to the region––a “civic” auditorium and convention center. Mitchell & Ritchey, the premier Pittsburgh architectural firm during the city’s Renaissance, designed the Arena in 1954; it was completed in altered form in 1961. It was a daring, contemporary design and an extraordinary feat of engineering with the world’s largest retractable roof.
However, we also understand the practical difficulty of saving and finding a feasible use for it that will generate sufficient revenue to adapt and to maintain it. We also recognize that the local constituency in the Hill District and others who in the 1960s opposed the demolition of the Lower Hill for the development of the then-styled “Arts Acropolis” have negative feelings about the existence of the Arena, which caused the taking and demolition of many houses and businesses.
Early in the study period, we looked at the possibility of saving the steel structure that holds the leaves in place, together with retaining several of the leaves underneath, so as to project what the Arena originally was and to serve as a sculpture in the landscape. Unfortunately, because of the amount of land area that would be taken permanently for such a monument, the streets running from the Hill District to the City could not be reestablished with concomitant development. Considerable future maintenance costs would also be entailed.
We also recognize the financial problems of the City and the fact that it lacks revenue to sustain the infrastructure, buildings and green spaces that it already has, and that it cannot become the fiscal custodian of another major public place.
If time can be given to further study alternative uses for the Arena, as Senator James Ferlo has suggested, we would support that. However, there need to be feasible proposals that appear to warrant serious study.
From the outset of the discussions, we have advocated that Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and not just the State History Code, be followed by the Sports & Exhibition Authority (SEA). The Section 106 review process requires that alternatives be evaluated “that could avoid, minimize or mitigate adverse effects on historic properties,” and we understand that the SEA feels that the report by Michael Baker does that. The report, however, fulfills only part of the requirements and processes that are clearly defined in the Section 106 regulations.
We believe there is the possibility of jeopardizing the future use of federal funds for the redevelopment of the entire 28-acre Lower Hill site if Section 106 is not complied with prior to the demolition of the Arena. Section 110(K) of the National Historic Preservation Act prohibits “anticipatory demolitions” by placing a penalty on applicants of federal funds, including local governments, that intentionally destroy or harm historic properties prior to the completion of the Section 106 review process. The National Trust for Historic Preservation, our organization, and others have informed the SEA that proceeding with the demolition of the Arena may jeopardize the future use of federal funds at the site and make the federal funds vulnerable to legal challenge.
The Hill District is now engaged in a master planning process. The Penguins have provided a plan to establish a street grid reuniting the Lower Hill with downtown, including a connection over the Crosstown Expressway, and to create opportunities for major development. The land will be returned to the tax roles and enormous development opportunities, particularly for housing, will present themselves.
The Arena issue is a difficult one for all of us in the preservation community. Those who opposed the original urban renewal plan to demolish the Lower Hill and erect the Arena find themselves with the choice of trying to save the Arena or endorsing a plan that calls for the establishment of an urban street grid along with new development that supports the Hill District community’s desire to develop a plan that reunites the Hill District with the City.
This is not the first time that our community has had to deal with such an issue, nor will it be the last. Urban renewal of the 1960s deprived us of significant buildings, familiar street grids, and landscapes to be replaced by structures that at the time were generally not felt by preservationists to be equal in design quality to what was being lost. We hope that further discussion regarding the Arena and each related project will be conducted with objectivity and civility.
In the case of the Arena, we would favor its preservation if a practical plan were to be put forth that did not add to the financial burden of the City, that generated tax revenues from the land in the Lower Hill and development opportunities as well, and was supported by the Hill District residents.
If the Arena is to be removed, we then support the plan to establish an urban street grid, opening the land to provide development opportunities to a variety of developers, and we will suggest that a high standard of contemporary design be required.
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Apartments Leasing Downtown
PHLF News
November 5, 2009Of the seven apartments at Market at Fifth, four are leased, a studio with a study is currently available, and two of two-story penthouse apartments with expansive roof decks overlooking our green and growing roof with wonderful views of the architecture of downtown Pittsburgh are still available. Please call Michael at 412-471-5808 for leasing information.
https://phlf.org/marketatfifth/
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Market at Fifth Receives National Housing & Rehabilitation Association Award
PHLF News
November 3, 2009
The National Housing & Rehabilitation Association (NH&RA) recently presented its 2009 J. Timothy Anderson Awards for Excellence in Historic Rehabilitation to ten outstanding historic rehabilitation projects throughout theU.S. The awards were presented at a special luncheon during NH&RA’s 2009 Annual Fall Developers Forum conference at the Taj Hotel to honor outstanding real estate projects that involved rehabilitation of older, historic buildings using the federal historic rehabilitation tax credit. This year’s nominees competed in eight categories.
This year’s categories, and the winners in each, are as follows:
Best Mixed-Income Residential
Baker Square II, Dorchester, MA
Developer: WinnDevelopment, Boston, MA
Architect: The Architectural Team, Chelsea, MABest Market-Rate Residential
Market at Fifth, Pittsburgh, PA
Developer: Market at Fifth, LP, Pittsburgh, PA
Architect: Landmarks Design Associates, Pittsburgh, PABest Historic Rehabilitation Project Utilizing New Markets Tax Credits
Court Square Center, Memphis, TN
Developers: CGI & Partners Court Square Center, LLC, Memphis, TC
Telesis Corporation, Washington, DCArchitect: CM Design Corporation, Memphis, TN
Best Commercial / Retail / Non-Residential Project
The Old Cotton Factory, Rock Hill, SC
Developer: Barwick & Associates, Charlotte, NC
Architect: McClure Nicholson Montgomery Architects, Charlotte, NCBest Historic Rehabilitation Project Involving New Construction
Globe Mills, Sacramento, CA
Developer: C.F.Y. Development Incorporated, Sacramento, CA
Architect: Applied Architecture, Inc., Sacramento, CAMost Innovative Adaptive Reuse
Charles H. Shaw Technology & Learning Center, Chicago, IL
Developer: Homan Arthington Foundation, Chicago, IL
Architect: Farr Associates, Chicago, ILBest Historic Rehabilitation Project Utilizing Low-Income Housing Tax Credits – Large
Toward Independent Living & Learning (TILL), Chelsea, MA
Developer: Toward Independent Living & Learning, Dedham, MA
Architect: Mostue & Associates Architects, Somerville, MABest Historic Rehabilitation Project Utilizing Low-Income Housing Tax Credits – Small
Fairbanks Flats Rowhomes, Beloit, WI
Developer: Gorman & Company, Inc., Oregon, WI
Architect: Gorman & Company, Inc., Oregon, WIThe “Timmy” Awards were created by NH&RA in 2005 in memory of the late Boston architect and preservation advocate J. Timothy Anderson, a leader in the historic rehabilitation business. Throughout his career, Tim helped pioneer the adaptive reuse of historic buildings throughout Boston and other parts of the U.S. Tim’s notable Boston-area projects include the conversion of the Prince Spaghetti Building into housing, and the adaptation of Old City Hall for mixed-use. His conversion of the old Central Grammar School in Gloucester into housing for the elderly became a national prototype for the reuse of surplus schools in urban areas.
The federal historic rehabilitation tax credit is a primary tool used to generate equity to preserve and rehabilitate historic properties. The rehabilitation credit is a “two-tiered” credit, because there are two possible rates for calculating of the credit amount. The 20% credit is available for income-producing buildings that are considered certified historic structures. The 10% credit is available for non-residential, income-producing buildings originally constructed before 1936, which are not certified historic structures. Historic tax credits are often paired with other federal, state and local tax credits and subsidies and are often used in the development of affordable and market-rate rental housing as well as commercial, retail and industrial developments
For more than 38 years, National Housing & Rehabilitation Association has provided an ongoing forum for professionals in affordable housing and historic rehabilitation to exchange information and build new business relationships. For more information on the “Timmy” Awards, the Fall Developers Forum or NH&RA please visit www.housingonline.com or contact Greg Sidorov, 202-939-1773, gsidorov@dworbell.com.
The 2009 J. Timothy Anderson Awards for Excellence in Historic Rehabilitation are co-sponsored by the National Trust Community Investment Corporation, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
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Market at Fifth Shops Open
PHLF News
October 23, 2009Heinz Healey’s men’s store and Nettleton Shoes now occupy the retail space at Market at Fifth.
Their handsome stores opened in time for the G-20 and sales have been brisk.
We are receiving many compliments both on the appearance of the restoration of the buildings and on the quality interiors for these stores. Visit soon.
PHLF members should identify themselves to signify our support.
https://phlf.org/marketatfifth/
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Neighborhood & Main Street Properties Available
Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation
Main Street Properties for Sale & Lease: Click Here
Market at Fifth: Apartments & Retail Space in Pittsburgh’s Historic Downtown
From time to time, PHLF lists other properties for sale and lease. These listings can be found here when they are available.
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Links Provided For Your Convenience, does not imply endorsement.
City of Pittsburgh Properties For Sale
The City of Pittsburgh, in an effort to reduce the number of vacant or abandoned properties, has created sources that offers a menu of properties for sale. Many of these properties are in Pittsburgh’s most historic neighborhoods.
The Real Estate Division of the Department of Finance and the Urban Redevelopment Authority accepts inquiries from the general public for purchase of those properties.
Properties for Sale
Court Auction Sales
Sealed Bid Sales
Side Yard Sales
Vacant Lots for Sale
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Landmarks receives preservation easement on historic downtown building
April 2, 2009
PHLF NewsOhio-based Spruce Street Properties, Ltd. has donated a preservation easement to Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation on the exterior of The Carlyle, at Fourth Avenue and Wood Street that is being converted to luxury condominiums.
A preservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement made between a property owner and an authorized preservation organization to preserve the exterior of a historic building and assure appropriate alteration. The easement will be recorded with the deed, run in perpetuity and assist current and future owners in preserving the buildings historic and architectural features.
Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation will be the monitoring agent for the easement and received a donation from Spruce Street Properties to assure the necessary funds to defend and monitor the easement forever.
“David Bishoff, a long-time owner of many buildings in Pittsburgh and a staunch supporter of maintaining the wonderful fabric of downtown through the preservation of its historic buildings, is to be commended for protecting the exterior of this important building which is a contributing structure in the Fourth Avenue Historic District,” said Foundation President Arthur Ziegler. “Once again, a creative developer has shown how we can move forward by building on our past.”
The Carlyle, formerly the Union National Bank Building, was designed by MacClure & Spahr and constructed in 1906. The 21-story neo-Classical building was a focal point of Pittsburgh?s Fourth Avenue financial district, once one of the most significant financial centers in the country. The Carlyle will provide downtown residential ownership starting at $279,000.
Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl attended the Foundation’s board meeting when the announcement was made.
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Public Hearing on 200-210 Fifth Ave, and 438 & 440 Market Street
PREPARED TESTIMONY OF
ANNE E. NELSON, ESQ.
GENERAL COUNSEL
PITTSBURGH HISTORY & LANDMARKS FOUNDATION
BEFORE HISTORIC REVIEW COMMISSION, CITY OF PITTSBURGH
PUBLIC HEARING ON 200-210 FIFTH AVENUE; 438 & 440 MARKET STREET
NOVEMER 5, 2008
As the future holder of a preservation easement on the Buhl Building and current holder of design control rights on the adjacent properties, Landmarks supports N&P Properties’ plans to rehabilitate the exterior of the Buhl Building, demolish the adjacent structures, and build a new building adjacent to the Buhl. The size, scale, and color of the proposed adjacent building compliment the blue terra cotta Buhl Building. Landmarks’ support of N & P Properties’ plans for the Buhl Building and adjacent structures, however, is contingent on the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission approving Part 2 of their Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit application.
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Public Hearing at Historic Review Commission on 200-210 Fifth Avenue, and 438 & 440 Market Street
PREPARED TESTIMONY OFANNE E. NELSON, ESQ.
GENERAL COUNSEL
PITTSBURGH HISTORY & LANDMARKS FOUNDATION
BEFORE HISTORIC REVIEW COMMISSION, CITY OF PITTSBURGH
PUBLIC HEARING ON 200-210 FIFTH AVENUE; 438 & 440 MARKET STREET
NOVEMER 5, 2008
As the future holder of a preservation easement on the Buhl Building and current holder of design control rights on the adjacent properties, Landmarks supports N&P Properties’ plans to rehabilitate the exterior of the Buhl Building, demolish the adjacent structures, and build a new building adjacent to the Buhl. The size, scale, and color of the proposed adjacent building compliment the blue terra cotta Buhl Building. Landmarks’ support of N & P Properties’ plans for the Buhl Building and adjacent structures, however, is contingent on the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission approving Part 2 of their Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit application.
