North Shore Development Leaving Few Available Parcels
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The focus of a Monday meeting between Steelers executives and local officials at Heinz Field was development on the North Shore.
"This has been a great development that has happened," noted Allegheny County executive Rich Fitzgerald.
"If you remember years ago, when Three Rivers Stadium was built, nothing happened for years and years and years."
Indeed, that old stadium was surrounded by parking lots and little else.
What a difference now.
Between PNC Park and and Heinz Field, new things sprout all the time -- with hot food, drink, and entertainment spots making the North Shore a popular destination.
"We're down to about three developable lots left," said Kevin Acklin, the mayor's chief of staff and chair of the Urban Redevelopment Authority. "We're already moving forward with the new garage on Lot 1, which has already been made public. I think that is already getting through City Planning. The two other developable parcels -- there's one on the river and one adjacent to the stadium, PNC Park."
Acklin describes the development as a team effort.
"The teams have a partnership. They have the development rights through the Stadium Authority, so we've been working very closely with them," he said.
Besides a new parking garage on Lot 1 next to Heinz Field, something new can be expected on Lot 4 next to PNC Park.
And then there's this parcel between the two riverfront buildings along the Allegheny River.
Riverfront property along the North Shore is becoming a precious commodity, and according Acklin, this site could be among the last to be developed along the river.
It's not clear what will be on the site, but Mayor Bill Peduto's priorities include "getting this garage built, getting more housing built, and getting it down so we can stay on a schedule."
Besides these three sites, Rivers Casino may also build a hotel next to the casino in the years ahead.
As for the lost parking on the North Shore, says Acklin, "As parcels get taken down, there's a public commitment to invest in additional parking over here."
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