Flying
cars and giant glass buildings. Hover boards and talking houses. Scenes of
unimaginable 2000s technology invaded the big screen in the twentieth century.
Although we have not yet entered such an advanced society and it is not likely
we will do so by the year 2020, the Pittsburgh
Business Times has some theories about what may happen to the Steel City in
the next six years.
It’s no secret that retail has collapsed within the
golden triangle. In an area that once housed multiple department stores, only
Macy’s still exists and it is slipping through the cracks. With the increasing
difficulty of traveling from the suburbs to downtown, retailers have suffered
the loss in customers. As more retailers close up shop, the less incentive
there is for city workers to stay downtown. The solution according to the
article is to increase the amount of rentable space and bring more residents
into the city. Retailers will then see the market potential and take advantage
of it. Considering there is such a small number of retailers downtown, this
could offer numerous opportunities for small businesses. There are a
significant number of residential projects taking place around the city and
they can all be viewed on the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s website: http://www.ura.org/working_with_us/projects.php.
With the
rapid redevelopment of the Golden Triangle, some are saying the city’s growth
will eventually spill into surrounding areas, most notably the Strip District. Since
it is flat and boasts a large amount of open land, it will most likely be
developed into an extension of the Pittsburgh skyline. Instead of the Golden
Triangle, the potential new skyline has been coined the “Golden Ladle.” The
area that once held the Mellon Arena is also set to be redeveloped into
residential buildings. There are also numerous residential development projects
taking place in the South Side. Some are worried that redevelopment will lead to
a significant rise in the cost of living in downtown Pittsburgh. The average
cost of rent for an apartment downtown is now over $900 per month. However,
even at this price, many people, especially young, are moving into the city.
There
is also the issue of transportation. The Port Authority bus routes have been
reduced in the past few years and the Light Rail Transit only travels through
the South Hills. However, now that the Port Authority is stabilized, there will
most likely be no more route cuts. According to the Pittsburgh Business Times article, Allegheny County Executive Rich
Fitzgerald expects a more efficient transportation system for bike riders as
well preliminary work on expanding the Light Rail Transit service. The most
likely advancement will be the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system currently under
consideration. It offers limited stops and faster transportation between
downtown and Oakland. The easier it is to travel in and around the city, the
more likely retailers are to open and experience success.
Although
we can only hope for the revitalization of residential and retail downtown, the
future looks promising. Flying cars or not, exploring the heart of Pittsburgh
with its green space, waterfronts and rich history will continue to delight
Pittsburghers for years to come.
