Development Mantra: High Quality Buildings and Large Commitments

Development Mantra: High Quality Buildings and Large Commitments

The U.R.A. Director always seems to speak about projects by boasting of the "high quality of the buildings" and "large commitments" from the prospective owners. Great attributes. Great sound bites, Safe statements. But much more is expected.

Some important attributes of the developments in Pittsburgh are not getting lip-service. These points matter and they go way beyond the quality of the building materials and if Union Labor was employed for the construction.

With the UPMC Sports Performance compound, one glaring shortcoming is community access. Other glaring shortcomings exist too.

Let's raise the benchmarks of public development discussion by including:
• a keen sense of fitting into the environs,
• programming,
• quality of life,
• promises of passion opportunities for all.

The Soup Simmers

Is it soup yet? was a famous marketing line from TV commercials. Where's the beef? was another slogan that asked a question.. Both sound-bites make sense in a critical way when looking at Pittsburgh developments.

Catchup company, Heinz, must be sitting in numerous offices on the North Side and downtown and be thinking that it is missing out on the developmental gravy chain.

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Post Gazette Headine on March 5, 1999

Heinz cooking up more local plans

See the post-gazette.com site for more details.

Quote: City redevelopment officials are considering declaring as "blighted" the section of the North Side riverfront where the Heinz warehouse would go. That means the project would be eligible for certain financing tools, such as Tax Increment Financing.

Heinz wants, and the URA might try to deliver, six acres of land next to the Heinz plant for expansion. The present owners of that land might not want to sell it. So, Heinz runs down their neighborhood to a blighted state, so it can expand with state and URA aid.

Gov. Ridge, "engaged in some very serious discussions with H.J. Heinz for several months involving substantial assistance. "Heinz gets credit for being a part of the history of the region," one that involves trashing your neighborhood, getting state aid for corporate welfare expansion.

Fix What You've Got

Heinz put some effort into the Sara Heinz House. That place needs your expansion energy.

Partner with Your Inspired Local Sites

Perhaps Heinz should look into its own neighborhood to partner with existing and inspired providers of high-quality experiences.

How about a Heinz section in the National Aviary?

How about a Heinz sponsored exhibit at the Children Museum, sorta like the one with Mr. Rodgers' Neighborhood with lots of hands on exhibits and nostalgia?

How about a Heinz sponsored wing to the Childrens' Museum, and allow them to expand across the street into the old and now empty Buhl building?

How about "The Science of Heinz" with an association with The Science Center. They do do food demonstrations at the Science Center already.

How about a partnership with the Andy Warhol site? It could be a great exhibit, sorta like Chicken Soup for the Soul of Catchup Eaters.

How about a partnership with the Heinz Natural History Center in the Strip District? Duhh. Should have thought about that one before you decided to go open up a discussion about Heinz plant tours.

Heinz, it takes a village. Having the employees spread around the city, from Station Square to the USX Tower to the North Side plant is not a bad position. And, if you need to get your own building, by all means, go get your own building. But, don't go get a hand-out from the Governor to do so for you.