Category Archive: Historic Properties
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The Sweeney Hotel and Saloon To Be Preserved
March 4th, 2009
PHLF NewsAt the request of Senator Jim Ferlo and the Natrona Comes Together Association in the Natrona Flats, Landmarks helped the organization secure the vacant Sweeney Hotel and Saloon built in 1900 at 36 Chestnut Street. Over the years the hotel had become a bank, an antique store, and finally The Vault Theatre, before it closed again.
Utilizing a grant from Senator Ferlo and a planned giving solution we developed, we were able to obtain the ownership of the building for the Natrona Comes Together Association.
A further grant from the Senator is enabling us to install a new roof and repair the elegant cornice work on the building. The future use for the building is still being discussed within the larger context of the Natrona’s ongoing revitalization efforts.
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New Granada Theater Stabilization Funding Secured
by Anne E. Nelson, General Counsel
PHLF News
February 26, 2009On February 26, 2009, the Allegheny County Economic Development, Community Infrastructure and Tourism Board awarded Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation a $91,000 grant for the New Granada Theater stabilization project.
Thanks to this grant, the $1.1 million project is now fully funded.
The New Granada stabilization project is also being supported by a $500,000 grant from The Heinz Endowments and $500,000 from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program through Representative Jake Wheatley.
The Hill Community Development Corporation is the owner and our partner.
New Granada Theater in 1995 - Andrew Russell/Tribune Review
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Landmarks opposes the demolitions of 1403 and 1414 Nixon Street and 1109 Bingham Street
PREPARED TESTIMONY OF
ANNE E. NELSON, ESQ., GENERAL COUNSEL
PITTSBURGH HISTORY & LANDMARKS FOUNDATIONBEFORE HISTORIC REVIEW COMMISSION,
CITY OF PITTSBURGH PUBLIC HEARING ON CITY DEMOLITIONSJANUARY 7, 2008
Landmarks opposes the demolitions of 1403 and 1414 Nixon Street and 1109 Bingham Street because the City was instructed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to cease all demolition activities for any buildings located in National Register eligible or listed or local designated historic districts until the City complies with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and revises its procedures and relevant documentation.
HUD reiterated its instructions and concerns with the City’s Section 106 compliance in a letter dated December 29, 2008. In this letter, the City was further instructed to respond to HUD by January 16, 2009 with: (1) an update on the City’s progress in revising its procedures and relevant documentation to comply with Section 106, (2) assurance that the City has ceased demolition activities, and (3) addressing Landmarks’ concerns.
It is distressing that the City has failed to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act over the past six months. We have yet to receive any responses from the City to our letters commenting on its compliance with Section 106 that were sent in August and September 2008, nor have we received a response to our letter dated July 29, 2008 requesting to be a consulting party.
Landmarks will oppose all City demolitions in historic districts until it complies with Section 106, and we are notified of our consulting party status.
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- 1109 Bingham Street
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- 1414 Nixon Street
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- 1403 Nixon Street
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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.
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Public Hearing Before Historic Review Commission on 4420 Bayard Street
PREPARED TESTIMONY OF
ANNE E. NELSON, ESQ.
GENERAL COUNSEL
PITTSBURGH HISTORY & LANDMARKS FOUNDATION
BEFORE HISTORIC REVIEW COMMISSION, CITY OF PITTSBURGH
PUBLIC HEARING ON 4420 BAYARD STREET, THE ELMHURST GROUP
OCTOBER 1, 2008
Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation has reviewed the Elmhurst Group’s plans for a new office building in the parking lot behind and owned by the First Baptist Church in Oakland. We appreciate the very good efforts of the Elmhurst Group in regard to the planning and redesign of the structure. In particular, the building’s height, materials, and setback on Bayard Street are in accordance with the other buildings on the street and harmonize the building with the Church. The higher portion of the building along Ruskin Avenue complements the Ruskin Apartment and its materials and to some degree its style.
However, we have the following concerns with the building:
1. The top portion of the seven-story building should be redesigned without the projecting central overhang, which is something of a cliché in modern design. We also suggest that the stringcourse be continued across the Bayard/Bigelow façade just as it does on the Ruskin Avenue façade and with the elongated windows eliminated. We believe that such detailing is inappropriate next to the architecturally-significant First Baptist Church, the Ruskin Apartment Building and the houses of Schenley Farms.
2. We recommend that the walkway around the building be planted with sycamore trees instead of columnar trees as shown. We would be happy to meet with the City Forester to discuss the matter of tree selection. A few columnar trees were planted years ago further west on Bayard Street and they are still nothing more than elongated toothpicks with a few leaves attached. Sycamore trees, used throughout Schenley Farms, arch up over the streets and provide a canopy of elegance, beauty, and shade.
We continue also to have a significant concern with the Historic Review Commission’s jurisdiction and ability to review new construction in historic districts. We hope this matter can be resolved or clarified so as not to cause issues with other new construction projects in historic districts.
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Vandergrift Main Street Gets Lift
by Shaun Yurcaba
Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation
September 8, 2008Sen. Jim Ferlo announced today a $35,000 grant to assist the Vandergrift Main Street program. This grant will be added to the Restoration Revolving Fund, which was created in 2006 to bring new life to downtown Vandergrift and to restore its distinctive buildings. The Revolving Fund was initially capitalized with a $300,000 grant from the Allegheny Foundation, a charitable entity of Richard M. Scaife.
In addition, the Vandergrift Improvement Program (VIP), Inc., a non-profit organization, announced the acquisition of two new buildings in the heart of downtown Vandergrift, and the restoration of a third building, all utilizing the original Scaife grant to establish the Revolving Fund.
“The VIP is using the Restoration Revolving Fund so effectively that I am very pleased to add additional state resources to it for further leverage,” said Sen. Ferlo.
143 Grant Ave: The VIP purchased 143 Grant Ave. in 2007 and has completed a complete masonry and storefront restoration of the facade. The roof has been replaced. The VIP is in negotiations with a tenant who plans to open a bakery and yoga studio on the first floor and live above in the second floor residential unit.
139/141 Grant Ave: The VIP has just secured 139-141 Grant Avenue. The roof, which had been severely compromised, has already been replaced. The VIP is also upgrading the electrical system and plans to fully restore the facade. Long term plans include renovating the 5 second floor apartments, which are uninhabitable.
134 Grant Ave: The VIP also just secured 134 Grant Avenue (the former JC Penny’s Building). The VIP has cleared the building of debris and is working on a long term plan to locate a Community Art Center and a small business incubator in this space.
According to Meade Jack, President of the VIP, downtown Vandergrift has reached a tipping point. “We have invested a lot of time and hard work in this effort. But it’s been well worth it. The seeds we’ve planted the last several years are now starting to bear fruit. We have a long way to go but we are on the right track,” Jack said. “We are demonstrating that there is still plenty of life in Pennsylvania’s small towns.”
The VIP began in 2003 with a grant from Sen. Ferlo and received DCED Main Street designation in 2006. The main street program is in year three and is being managed in partnership with the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation (PHLF).
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- Arthur P. Ziegler, Jr.
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- Shaun Yurcaba and Senator Jim Ferlo
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- Vandergrift Flower Shop Rendering
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- Vandergrift Art Center Rendering
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Technical Assistance Workshop for Guardians of Historic Religious Properties
PHLF News
September 5, 2008On Monday, September 15, the Historic Religious Properties Committee of Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation (PHLF) will host a technical assistance workshop at Calvary Episcopal Church, 315 Shady Avenue, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Congregation leaders, representatives, and guardians of historic religious properties in Allegheny County are invited to attend. The workshop fee of $25 includes box lunches for up to three people.
“Historic religious properties play a significant role in the spiritual, social, cultural and educational life of this region,” says George C. Dorman, Chair of PHLF’s Historic Religious Properties Committee, “and we know how difficult it is for congregations with limited budgets to preserve and maintain their architecturally-significant historic structures. Therefore, it is our goal to help these congregations by offering this workshop that will answer questions they may have and help them care for their buildings.”
This workshop will give congregation leaders an opportunity to speak with professionals in the field of building construction and maintenance.
Experts will speak on:
• Prioritizing building projects;
• Planning and organizing building projects;
• Financing a project: raising funds, seeking grants and loans;
• Working with contractors, getting bids and estimates, contracting the work;
• Stained glass window restoration, masonry work, roof and gutter replacement and repair;
• Energy conservation in large structures.Historic Religious Properties Technical Assistance Workshop
The workshop will feature assistance in prioritizing, planning, and organizing building projects; financing a project; working with contractors; specific building maintenance issues; and energy conservation in large structures. You will have the opportunity to ask questions of the presenters and network with other church leaders.
When you come, please bring a list of questions and photos of your structures demonstrating areas where maintenance is needed and where you have successfully done work.
Plenty of off-street parking is available in Calvary Episcopal Church’s parking lot.
- Time: 10:00 a.m.
to 3:00 p.m. - Meeting Location: Calvary Episcopal Church, 315 Shady Avenue. (Google Street View Map)
- Fee : $25, includes up to 3 people from your church or synagogue and box lunches.
- RSVP one day before this event. Contact Carole Malakoff, Historic Religious Properties Coordinator at hrp@phlf.org.
Program Agenda:
- 9:30: Coffee and Registration
- 10:00: Welcome
- Mark Bibro, Chairman, PHLF Board of Trustees
- George C. Dorman, Chairman, PHLF Historic Religious Properties Committee
- Arthur Ziegler, President, PHLF
- Tom Keffer, Property & Construction Manager, PHLF
- 10:30: Jack Scalo and Jacqui McMenamin, Burns and Scalo Roofing (dealing with roof problems)
- 11:00: John Kelly, Kelly Art Glass (preservation and maintenance of stained glass windows)
- 11:30: David Hounshell, member, First Methodist Church of Pittsburgh and professor, CMU Departments of History and Social & Decision Sciences (planning and organizing a church building project)
- 12:00: Sister Florence Lynch, CEO, Angels in Overalls; Jack Miller, PHLF (organizing a project and the role of volunteers)
- 12:30: Lunch
- 1:15: Greg Smith, Keystone Waterproofing; Aaron Wolk, Cathedral Stone Products (brick and masonry preservation)
- 1:45: Greg Wozniak––G. A. Wozniak & Assos., Energy Management & Consulting
(conserving energy in historic religious structures)
- 2:15: Susan Brandt, PHLF Trustee (searching for grants and loans: approaching funding sources)
Some photos of the workshop in progress.
- Time: 10:00 a.m.
