Category Archive: News Wire Services
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Councilwoman Tonya Payne & Evan Frazier of Hill House Discuss Grocery Store
Courtesy of KDKA TV
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Dr. Howard Slaughter, Jr. Discusses Urban Economic Loan Fund
Howard Slaughter Jr., CEO of Landmarks Community Capital Corporation interviewed on KDKA’s “The Sunday Business Page” and discusses the Urban Economic Fund at the Homewood branch of PNC Bank.
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Group wants to save 1815 church in Elizabeth Borough from demolition
Thursday, August 07, 2008
By Mary Niederberger,
Pittsburgh Post-GazetteBut it’s unlikely that the angel, considered the guardian and protector of the church that was built in 1851, will be able to save the building from the wrecking ball, even though some former parishioners would like to buy it. The church shut its doors 21 years ago when the parish built a new church several miles away in Elizabeth Township.
The July 20 announcement that the former church would be demolished appears to be creating some of the same angst and outcry that its closing caused in 1987, when a group of parishioners sued the diocese unsuccessfully in an effort to keep it open.
But St. Michael pastor, the Rev. Rudolph Smoley, said the former St. Michael building must be razed for safety reasons because the structural deterioration that has taken place.
He said the decision to demolish the church was made after he and diocesan officials toured the church in September after local building inspector Arlo Roma noticed that a retaining wall outside of the church was learning toward the street and a church wall appeared to be crooked.
The Rev. Smoley said one of the stations of the cross inside of the church had fallen off of the wall with chunks of plaster coming along with it. “When I went in a month ago, a second station had fallen and was in pieces. Each of these sections of plaster is going to continue to fall like dominoes. The inside of the church is just literally crumbling,” the pastor said.
He said that he and diocesan officials are worried that part of the church could collapse and harm someone, particularly children who play in the area.
Church officials have filed an application with Elizabeth Borough for a demolition permit. Borough Secretary Robin Stockton said the borough is waiting for documentation from the church and that all utility service to the building has been shut off.
But some former parishioners, who were part of the lawsuit against the diocese when the former St. Michael church was closed, don’t agree with the assessment that the Rev. Smoley and diocesan officials have reached.
Some of them entered the church July 23 for the first time since it had closed. That night, a company that contracted with the diocese was removing religious items from the church to be sold on consignment. Other religious items from the former church have been taken to the current St. Michael Church.
The items were being removed in preparation for asbestos abatement work in the church that has since been completed.
Though the Rev. Smoley had opened the church July 23 and was supervising the activity, some of the former parishioners called police to the scene. Elizabeth Borough police took no action after they saw that no break-in or theft was taking place.
J.C. Natale, who was a member of parish council at the time the former church was closed and also a member of the Save Our Church group that sued the diocese, said he went to the site Wednesday and was upset to see so many of the religious items had been removed from the church.
Still, he said, he believes the church could be reopened and used as a “chapel of convenience,” a place where a Mass could be said perhaps once a week or an occasional baptism or wedding held.
“When I went inside of there, there wasn’t even a musty smell. Some plaster had fallen because of a clogged gutter, but that was about it. You could have held Mass in there if you wanted,” Mr. Natale said.
He said diocese officials said the building was structurally unsound in 1987 when it was closed. “It’s been 21 years. I think it would have collapsed by now if it were going to collapse,” he said.
Susan Sopko, another Save Our Church member, said she would like to see the church reopened and some of the religious items that were removed from it returned.
Mr. Sopko and Mr. Natale are among a group of former St. Michael parishioners who meet each Monday night to say the rosary outside of the former church building.
Arthur Ziegler, president of the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation, said a plaque was awarded to the church when it was closed in 1987 to mark its architectural significance. “But the plaque has no legal binding,” Mr. Ziegler said. “It cannot prevent the building from being torn down.”
Former parishioner Robert LaFrankie, who now lives in Bethlehem, Pa., has in recent years sent a proposal to the diocese — first to former Bishop Donald Wuerl and recently to Bishop David Zubik — to turn the former St. Michael Church into a Catholic “museum and education/learning center.” That proposal has not been acted upon.
Mary Von Fosson, an Elizabeth Borough council member, said the building inspector who contacted the Rev. Smoley with concerns about the church last year no longer works for the borough and did not tell council about his concerns.
Mrs. Von Fosson said council was not a party to the decision to raze the church. “The only thing that council ever discussed about St. Michael is the wall facing Fifth Street needs to be fixed because it was falling down. That doesn’t have anything to do with the church itself,” she said.
Despite the protests and pleas from the Save Our Church members, some of the stained glass windows have been removed from the former church and it is being readied for demolition. The windows will be installed in the chapel area of the current St. Michael Church.
On Tuesday, Mr. Natale and Gerald LaFrankie, Robert’s brother, faxed a letter to Bishop Zubik and the Rev. Smoley asking for time to have an appraisal done of the former church building so that the Save Our Church group can make a formal offer to purchase it.
But the Rev. Smoley said the process toward demolition will not be halted.
“This process is moving forward,” the Rev. Smoley said. “It is a safety issue.”
The St. Michael School building adjacent to the former church will remain open for CCD classes, the Rev. Smoley said. The school was closed in June due to declining enrollment.
Mary Niederberger can be reached at mniederberger@post-gazette.com or 412-851-1512.First published on August 7, 2008 at 6:23 am -
Owner of Lamp Theater in Irwin says restoration depends on funding
Thursday, August 07, 2008Pittsburgh Post-GazetteThe Lamp Theater closed more than three years ago.
Two different owners have since given projections of when the landmark showplace on Main Street in Irwin would reopen.
A small, hand-painted sign on the marquee confidently proclaims: “The Lamp will shine brightly again!”
But folks and borough officials are wondering: When?
Their concern is justified. A revival of the 73-year-old former movie theater could be a key to the 144-year town’s future.
Nearly $400,000 in emergency repairs were made, including replacement of a collapsed roof, extensive interior rehabilitation, disposal of mounds of debris and removal of 387 rain-damaged seats. Then the restoration stopped.
A glimmer of hope returned last month when contractors began installing a new plumbing system and upgrading electrical wiring to comply with national and borough codes.
“Restoration will continue as long as funding holds out,” said Bill Chapman, a partner in Irwin-based Koury, Chapman & Sinclair Real Estate Services. George Koury and Dave Sinclair are the other partners, who bought the theater in February 2005.
“The Lamp is woven into the fabric of the Norwin community,” Mr. Chapman added. “Every time workers appear and doors are open, folks and kids walking by stop to watch. They’re hoping the theater finally will reopen.”
In a complex deal in May 2006, the nonprofit Westmoreland Cultural Trust acquired the title to the theater from the real estate company in exchange for exclusive management rights. No purchase price was ever disclosed. Koury, Chapman & Sinclair agreed to continue its mortgage obligation with Irwin Bank.
Under the agreement, the trust, which operates the Palace Theater in Greensburg, will handle stage bookings and associated event promotion for the Palace and the Lamp. Movies also are planned for the Lamp.
“Actually, KCS donated the Lamp Theater to the trust for $1 because it is vital to the revitalization project,” Mr. Chapman clarified. “It’s easier for the trust to secure community development grants than a private business.
“Most people, including potential investors, who promised to help with funding have disappeared. Commercial money is tight these days. All we can do is hope things will work out.
“Considering the country’s fiscal crisis, nobody can realistically set a timetable for the Lamp to reopen. But, if we can get the right funding to finish most of the restoration, I’m optimistic the Lamp could reopen by late fall.”
Trust Executive Director Michael Langer, who predicted in 2006 that the Lamp would reopen in early 2007, did not return telephone calls seeking comment about the project.
On June 6, IBT Bancorp Inc., the parent company of Irwin Bank, merged with S&T Bancorp Inc., based in Indiana, Pa.
“S&T Bank intends to honor Irwin Bank’s commitments to the Irwin Project and community development in the Norwin Area,” said Charles Urtin, former IBT chief executive officer and now vice chairman of the S&T board of directors.
“S&T Bank will continue to be sensitive to efforts encouraging economic development in the Norwin community and surrounding areas.”
Three years ago, IBT made a commitment to donate $50,000 — in $10,000 increments over five years — to help develop a public-private partnership with the borough for the Irwin Project. That will be honored, said Mr. Urtin, an active member of the Irwin Project Steering Committee.
The Lamp became the anchor of the Irwin Project, an ambitious, long-term, economic revitalization of the business district, after the trust abandoned a planned $1.5 million to $2 million acquisition and renovation of the 119-year-old Thompson Building.
The objective is to turn the town into “Historic Irwin.”
Bob Michaud, a former IBT executive who initiated the revitalization effort nearly four years ago, once predicted the Lamp would be “a beacon” to draw people and investors to town.
“The Lamp Theater is essential to the revitalization of downtown Irwin, especially the business district,” said borough Councilwoman Danyce Neal.
“The theater has touched generations for seven decades.”
Norm Vargo is a freelance writer.First published on August 7, 2008 at 6:00 am -
Council grants North Side temple historic status
By Jeremy Boren
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, August 6, 2008Pittsburgh City Council Tuesday sought to end a long-simmering controversy by dubbing the former Malta Temple building in the North Side a historic structure.
The decision will protect the stately brick building on West North Avenue from demolition, but it also could prompt legal action from the Salvation Army, which has owned the former social club since the 1970s.
Salvation Army officials have fought the historic designation because they want to raze the edifice to make way for a larger $5 million facility on the same street. The nonprofit organization runs a social services center in the 81-year-old building, which officials say would be too costly to renovate.
Salvation Army officials last week said they might challenge City Council’s decision in court.
“We are very disappointed in the vote,” said Maj. Robert J. Reel, the organization’s Western Pennsylvania divisional commander. “And we are exploring our options.”
Members of the Mexican War Streets Society, a neighborhood group, said they nominated the Malta Temple building for historic status to preserve the neighborhood’s historic appeal.
In a final decision, City Council voted 8-1 in favor of the designation, with Councilman Ricky Burgess casting the lone dissenting vote.
Burgess argued historic designation should not be forced upon the building because it serves as a place of religious worship.
Jeremy Boren can be reached at jboren@tribweb.comor 412-765-2312.
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Downtown’s Union Trust building gets major tenant
Tuesday, August 05, 2008 -
Union Trust gets first major tenant
By Sam Spatter
FOR THE TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, August 5, 2008Downtown’s Union Trust Building on Monday obtained its first major lease since it was purchased by new ownership — with Siemens Engineering signing a 10-year lease to occupy three to six floors in the landmark building.
Siemens Engineering, a unit of Siemens AG, is consolidating its local environmental engineering operations in the building, said Jeremy Kronman, executive vice president of CB Richard Ellis, who headed a team that represented the owner, MIKA Realty Group of Los Angeles.
“We will relocate about 500 Siemens people from 441 Smithfield St. and Oxford Centre, both Downtown, along with personnel in the Crane Building in the Strip District, starting in October and complete it during November, and add several hundred more jobs as we grow,” said Siemens Engineering President Tony DoVale.
In February, Siemens received $2.95 million in state aid in return for a pledge to create 550 jobs within three years. It said at that time that a $5 million expansion project could triple its local operations.
Kronman said the office space leased by Siemens could accommodate up to 1,200 workers.
The 600,000-square-foot building, undergoing a major renovation, was purchased by MIKA Realty Group in February for $24.1 million and was 99 percent vacant. It formerly had been occupied by Mellon Bank as an operations center.
“This tenant is a natural fit with the nature of this development: Siemens’ focus on environmental engineering directly matches our vision of a LEED-rated corporate facility of the highest quality,” said Michael Kamen, principal of MIKA Realty Group, and his investment partner, Jerry Fox, in a statement.
As part of the upgrading of the 11-story building, MIKA has placed a $250,000 scuptured tree in the lobby as “an indication of the rebirth of the building.”
Other improvements that are part of the remodeling include a new lobby, new restrooms, installation of a lower-level parking facility, upgrades to conference facilities and 325-seat theater/auditorium, new exterior lighting, new storefronts and exterior cleaning.
Kronman indicated that other leases may be forthcoming for the building but declined to identify the companies.
Formerly known as Wheelabrator Air Pollution Control Inc., Siemens is a custom manufacturer of air pollution control equipment and systems for industrial and utility applications.
Representing Siemens were Gerry Dudley, Kurt Mrazik, Paul Novello and Jeff Babikian of CBRE’s Corporate Services Group.
Sam Spatter can be reached at sspatter@tribweb.comor 412-320-7843.
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Pittsburgh’s Union Trust building finally gets major tenant
by Ben Semmes
Pittsburgh Business Times
August 4, 2008The Union Trust Building in Downtown Pittsburgh has secured a major office tenant at last.
Siemens Power Generation Inc. will consolidate about 500 local employees on three floors at the nearly 600,000-square-foot, 11-story structure — formerly known as Two Mellon Center. It has been mostly vacant since Mellon Financial Corp. pulled its employees out of the property in May 2006.
The 185,000-square-foot lease, which puts a significant dent in one of Pittsburgh’s largest office vacancies, will run for 10 years at the 501 Grant St. building, according to the Pittsburgh office of CB Richard Ellis Inc., which represented both the building’s owner and Siemens in the deal.
Orlando, Fla.-based Siemens Power Generation’s local operations, known collectively as Siemens Environmental Systems and Services, have employees at three Pittsburgh sites: 441 Smithfield St., Downtown; One Oxford Centre, at 301 Grant St., also Downtown; and 40 24th St., in the Strip District.
Earlier this year the state pledged $2.95 million in grants and tax credits to Downtown Pittsburgh-based Wheelabrator Air Pollution Control Inc., the division of Siemens Power Generation based at 441 Smithfield St., to assist with a $5 million expansion. The company agreed to hire at least 550 employees over three years as part of the expansion.
The company will begin moving into the Union Trust Building later this year with full occupancy set for the fourth quarter of 2008.
A Siemens spokesperson was not immediately available for comment Monday.
Simultaneously, the building’s new owners — California investors led by Los Angeles-based Mika Realty — are conducting an extensive renovation of the property with plans for LEED certification, a new lobby and installation of a lower level parking facility.
Serving as an operations center for Mellon Bank since the mid-1980s, the Union Trust Building was originally constructed between 1915 and 1917 by steel magnate Henry Clay Frick as a shopping arcade.
bsemmes@bizjournals.com | (412) 208-3829