A 'grand' groundbreaking

A 'grand' groundbreaking - PittsburghLIVE.com:

#1) ... Mayor Tom Murphy expressed satisfaction with the project, saying the city 'would not settle for anything that was not grand.'

Rauterkus Replies

Pittsburgh needs to settle for things as they are. We don't need "everything to be grand." Murphy's wants exceed his needs. Murphy's wants are so grand that the budget can't pay for them. When Murphy said he won't settle for anything that isn't grand, he sends the wrong message of being prudent. That is typical Murphy, the poor leader, the over spender.

When only the grand can get his attention, then the others don't rate. The homeless problem -- just use a grand broom and sweep the problems away.

The little things are the keys to making a great manager and a great city.

#2) ... nearly $4 million from the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh and $1.3 million in equity from the Cultural Trust.

Who's money is that of the Cultural Trust? And, we'll see less than truthful statements that not a penny of city money went into this project. At least there isn't $10-million from the water authority under a cloak here -- or is there?

#3) ... a half-dozen other projects are in the pipeline.

Sure, the pipeline is primed now. Always is. Pittsburgh's population was going to explode, some 6, 5, 4, 3 years ago too. Things have been on hold since Tom Murphy has been in the Mayor's office.

#4) 'I think more (people) living Downtown encourages more retailers and restaurants,' said Murphy, who envisions more living options working in partnership with retail development.

Retail, gambling, and Hard Rock --- tickets to salvation for Tom Murphy's vision. False hopes all.

#5) Tom Cox, chairman of the Pittsburgh Urban Redevelopment Authority, said 'the URA is here to stay in developing Downtown.'

Tom Cox makes more complicated deals that are going to be harder to untangle to insure that the URA can't go away. Tom -- take your golden parachute and beg for a job in Detroit.

#6) 'But I've been wrong in my predictions in the past on who will live in other new housing developments, such as Washington Landing and Summerset,' he said.

Murphy's past predictions have always been wrong. He has poor forecasting skills. He can't understand that Nordstoms isn't exactly what Pittsburgh needs. And, here we go opening a new cinema, this time in South Side -- while others are closing in Monroeville (Wilkins) and Mt. Lebo. Tom would have had us build the big complex as part of Fifth and Forbes. It was another looser of an idea.

#7) For example, Murphy said he did not believe Summerset at Frick Park, a massive new housing development under way at the former Nine Mile Run slag dump site between Squirrel Hill and Swisshelm Park, would attract families with children. 'At least half the families that purchased houses in Summerset have children,' he said. "

Developing the slag dump pulled homeowners out of their other city neighborhoods and into another. And, it took money that didn't go to the frail neighborhoods and made for new upscale homes. All the work on the stream, green goals, creek run off and such was necessary and should have been the priority. In Murphy's way, elements of the environment were an afterthought that needed attention.