Thursday, November 1, 2012

Gardens At Market Square

Artist's rendering of new Downtown project

 Millcraft Industries hopes to break ground on the $82 million Gardens at Market Square by Feb. 1. The development, straddling Fourth and Forbes avenues outside Market Square, will include 120,000 square feet of office space, 23,000 square feet of retail, a 176-room hotel and a 300-space parking garage.

Pittsburgh City Council gave preliminary approval to a financing plan for the new Downtown development but urged the developer to continue working to address neighbors' concerns with the project. Council approved an $8.1 million tax-increment financing plan despite objections from occupants of the nearby Benedum Trees and Investment buildings.

Occupants of Benedum Trees, noting their building will be only 5 feet from Millcraft's hotel, said they anticipated a greater separation and argued that adjustments to the developer's hotel configuration could provide additional breathing space.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority urged council to approve the financing plan. A handful of authority-owned buildings on Forbes -- stretching from the former George Aiken site to the former Fotohut -- will be demolished to make way for Millcraft's development.


Metro Pittsburgh Real Estate
Millcraft Industries Projects

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Squirrel Hill Tunnel Closed This Weekend



PennDOT will again close the inbound Squirrel Hill Tunnel for construction this weekend.  The tunnel will be closed from 9 pm Friday to 5 am Monday and all inbound traffic will be required to form a single lane and exit at Edgewood-Swissvale.  Long delays are expected along the detour route so PennDOT recommends that drivers consider using the Pennsylvania Turnpike as an alternate route.

The $49.5 million rehabilitation project includes removal of the inbound tunnel ceiling, which will increase clearance by two feet.  This will reduce the number of times over-height trucks must be stopped and turned around.  PennDOT expects the inbound ceiling removal will be completed this weekend. Outbound traffic will not be restricted but there may be brief stoppages for equipment movement.