Makeover For Pittsburgh’s PPG Place May Include Grocery Store

PPG Place in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A little more than a year after acquiring the Downtown complex, the owner of PPG Place is eyeing a property makeover that could drastically alter the food court and Wintergarden as well as the space fronting Market Square.

Highwoods Properties is seeking to upgrade PPG’s retail space and is considering the option of replacing the food court with a grocery, CEO and president Ed Fritsch said.

“We’re evaluating a number of options, and that certainly is one of them,” he said.  ”It is still early on.  I think any Downtown worker or resident … would love to have that type of shopping amenity in Downtown.”

Highwoods paid $179.4 million in September 2011 to acquire the glass castle-like, six-building complex in the heart of Downtown and has boosted the office occupancy from 81.2 percent to more than 90 percent since then.  It also is in the process of making $17.1 million in capital improvements, including new signs and directories and modernized air conditioning and heating systems and elevators.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/business/news/makeover-for-ppg-place-may-include-grocery-store-669441/#ixzz2HR7nN5MJ

Pittsburgh Ready To Light Up The Night

A map of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with its neighborhoods labeled. For use primarily in the list of Pittsburgh neighborhoods. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Pittsburgh police are hoping Light Up Night revelers will avoid the buzz kill of a parking ticket or trip to the tow pound.

They are recommending extra caution tonight for those who drive to the festivities.  Because several parking meters have been removed and replaced with kiosks, the temporary “no parking” signs might not be as in-your-face as when they were attached to each meter.  They recommend that visitors park in lots or garages rather than on the streets.

As an added precaution, they are urging visitors not to leave valuables like iPods, laptops or GPS devices within sight in their vehicles.

“The holiday season is upon us and there are predators who seek the opportunity to vandalize vehicles when they observe unsecured valuables left in plain view,” said police spokeswoman Diane Richard.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/city-ready-to-light-up-the-night-662359/#ixzz2CP2kXJyz

More Light Up Night info here:

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/life/lifestyle/downtown-will-be-packed-again-for-light-up-weekend-662083/

“Pop Up” Store Trend Coming To Pittsburgh

Image via Wikipedia

This is a great idea that could be applied in Pottstown to help fill our empty downtown!

A new trend has developed that is being successfully used in several cities across the county.  “Pop up” stores are being used to fill empty retail spaces.  These temporary stores and exhibits are helping to increase foot traffic and decrease crime in downtown areas.  Seattle has been very successful with this approach and has filled 25 store fronts in 11 months.  Pittsburgh hopes to fill 15 store fronts using this idea.

I am sure you have all seen seasonal pop up stores in the mall for Halloween and Christmas, for example.  They may only need space for a few months however, at least the store front is occupied part of the time.  Pittsburgh is also looking at artists who need studio and exhibition space along with retailers.  The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership has hired consultants to oversee their new grant program that gives operators and artists start-up grants from $1,500 to $10,000.

Here is a link to Pittsburgh’s website that goes into more detail about the program:

http://projectpopuppittsburgh.wordpress.com/

Pittsburgh, One Of America’s Most Green And Beautiful Cities

50th Annual Pittsburgh Light Up Night Festivities Tainted By Violence

As usual, one bad apple…  A joyous annual event, eagerly anticipated by Pittsburghers, was tainted this evening.  During the fireworks a shooting occurred.  A man was shot and wounded at the corner of Smithfield Street and Liberty Avenue.  During police questioning, an unruly crowd gathering in front of the Wood Street subway station and a fight broke out.  35-50 people were arrested.  K-9 units were called in and pepper spray was used.  After an hour and a half, order was restored. 

Kudos to the Pittsburgh Police Department for quickly restoring order!

Shame on the n’er do wells for trying to spoil a downtown holiday event that 200,000 people were expected to attend!

The holiday events continue all day tomorrow.  For details: http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/entertainment/1038754/detail.html

This link shows some great pictures of downtown Pittsburgh at night, all lit up…there are several pictures with Christmas decorations and the Christmas tree in Point State Park lit up for your enjoyment!

http://pittsburghskyline.com/content/2007/01/07/pittsburgh-scenes-for-the-new-year/