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Published for the members of the Pittsburgh History & l¿ndmarks Foundation No. 132 December 1993 . Publications Feature Pittsburgh's Architecture, Rivers & People . The South Side: Securing Its Progress . Landmarks: A Positive Force in Pittsburgh's Life . Pittsburgh Architecture: On Porches The New Bridge Do We Need a Bridge? \ Monongahela Riuer Landmarks has, in the last two years, been in the posi- Neu Bridge tion of striving for excellence in a project that, from our Norrb viewpoint, has basic faults. Vy'e refer to the new Port Authority busway bridge that is to cross the Monongahela River, cross Station Square at the east edge of its Phase II development, and proceed along and through Mount Washington. The total cost of the new busway project alter- ations to the Parkway, new bridge, access ramps,- Vy'abash tunnel, and busway itself- is expected to be at least $250 million. Construction is expected to begin in 1994 with completion in 1991. The new bridge will carry only buses and high occupancy vehicles (HOVs). 'We have recommended that the idea of a new bridge be abandoned as unnecessary and as detrimental to Station Square's development and overall amenity, to the spatial effect along the Monongahela River, and to the visual quality of the historic buildings across the river downtown. Unnecessary, in that the rebuilt, three- lane Smithfield Street Bridge (to be completed in 1994) and the Panhandle Light Rail Bridge, if paved, could handle the bus and car traffic anticipated. (The Panhandle Light Rail Bridge is now used only by the rail STRÉET cars, but Landmarks is proposing that the bridge surface *ll-.^ry9 be repaved to allow use by buses as well as light rail. Furthermore, we have always advocated extending the Light Rail to the Airport, via railroad rights-of-way on the Conrail or Montour lines.) And detrimental to our development for obvious reasons: visual bisection of Station Square, noise, headlight glare, fumes, and dreary tilasbington overshadowing or view-blocking of the lower levels of our buildings. The bridge approach across our property is not The complica,ted separation of gra.de-leuel bus trøffic and Wabash Tunnel bus o.nd HOV traffic. itself apt to be the only sinner visually, furthermore. Prouision is made on this pløn for a. connection to the Station Square Light Røil stcttion. Navigational clearance requirements prohibit any kind of structure beneath the bridge deck, and the Coast Guard is against the kind of mid-river pier that allowed thus the bridge becomes a heavier overhead presence. the two low, Iight spans of the Smithfield Street Bridge The HOVs must have their own entrances and exits: on to be built in 1883. Tows tend to switch from the north the Station Square side necessitating a climb to the to the south side of the channel where the new bridge is Vy'abash Tunnel, l0 feet above Station Square level. to go, and the Coast Guard thus has extra reason for Beginning this climb on our property would be intolera- forbidding a midstream pier. ble in our new development, and a circuitous approach This, however, means a superstructure that is bound on the far side of Carson Street has been worked out. to be tall and therefore threatens to dwarf the waterfront The expense of accommodating HOVs will be in the buildings along Fort Pitt Boulevard and First Avenue, millions: the bridge, the approaches, the Tunnel remod- and to obstruct the views from nearby Station Square eling, and a way out of the Tunnel at the other end. All buildings as well as making difficulties for the Gateway this money to be spent when we have seen little car- Clipper operation that the right-of-way crosses. Again, it pooling practiced around Pittsburgh. Furthermore, the bisects the fine space between the Fort Pitt and dedicated bus bridge wanted by the Port Authority is Smithfield Street Bridges. To give an idea of the heights lost. (But PAT is still in charge of the bridge, presum- of the main span structures under consideration, both are ably, and can limit the number of HOVs by establishing How the basket-ha.nd.Ie arch uould look. ln town about 50 feet taller than the Sheraton, which is 130 feet the minimum number of passengers allowed, thus keep- the bridge "touches dousn'o neør the end of Market high, and both screen the view more or less with main ing the bus lanes relatively unclogged.) Street. structural members and a mesh of cables. One improvement that may result from develop- ment of the new bridge is that the Parkway outbound The Car Complication toward the east along Fort Pitt Boulevard may be low- The Pon Authority originally saw the bridge as ered and the Mon Wharf turned into a roadway and exclusively for its bus routes south ofthe Triangle, park; then Fort Pitt Boulevard roadways, both eastbound avoiding for example the notorious Green Tree Hill, pro- and westbound, will be relocated side by side rather than moting reliability and speed. The Authority sees the traf- having the present noisy gaps between the lanes. fic mixture on the Smithfield Street Bridge as frustrating this effort. Good Relations The later introduction of HOVs private cars, in We admit that the human side of the situation has other words, that are supposed to carry- three or more been gratifying. Since the matter arose, Landmarks has people has created complications, however, and ones been treated as a major concerned party, and has 'We that we -believe are unjustified by the traffic likely to attended many public and private meetings. have appear. An HOV lane adds greatly to the width of the experienced one ofthe most cooperative public efforts bridge, because of both the lane itself and the broad areas of separation from the bus lanes along the sides; (continued on page 12) Hou the cable-støyed, bridge would. loolt. Page 2 PHLF News . December 1993 ffiNEV/S

TnnxK You, In Memoriam ConpoRATE MpNISERS Landmarks was saddened at the death, on September 14, 1993, of Miles Span, l6-year member and long-time trustee of our organi- zation.In the earliest and most precarious days of Station Square, Miles Span wholeheartedly supported the project. He served on our Your contributions helped the Pittsburgh History Ec Audit Committee for 15 years, and attended many of Landmarks' Landmarks Foundation: events throughout the years. A former Monroeville councilman, he a TEACH more than 10,000 students, teachers, and adults about was attending Council when he collapsed of a heart attack. Pittsburgh's history and architecture r) COMPLETE the restoration of 34 low-income housing units owned [\ew Members in 1993 and operated by the Northside Tenants Reorganization on Brighton joined the Píttsburgh Place, California Avenue, and Brighton Road Just ouer 360 people, businesses, and organizations 'a PRO\TDE technical assisrance to the 30 neighborhood organizations Hístory & Landmarks Foundationin 1993. We greatly appreciate the that are members of the Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group support of our new members, and welcome their participation in our a WORK with local lending institurions ro ensure that lending special eaents, education progranxs, and historic preseruation programs. programs and products are available to meet the needs of inner-city Land,marlts' members creüte a strong collectiue aoice ín support of historic residents preseruation in the Pittsburgh regíon. a CREATE a conceptual master landscape plan for the Neville House of c. L785 in Collier Township Vicki Adler Greater Houston Preservation Mr. & Mrs. Thomas W. I DEVELOP a major preservation library for Landmarks' members Jeannine L. Amos Alliance O'Connor and friends Lillian L. Amuso Our Lady of Sacred Heart Bruce E. Hails a CONTRIBUTE to the Greater Pittsburgh economy and visitor High School Timothy Paul Bach Mark R. Hamilton industry through Station Square, a project of the Pittsburgh History Andrew I. Bailey Roberta Hanna Dona Pastore & Landmarks Foundation Jennifer Baldauf-Shorthouse James Harland and family Esther S. Persky Keith J. Beer Franco Harris Dan Petkovich Leo and Karen Beil Jennifer C. Haugen Stephen A. Pfouts and family t993 CoRpoRRt¡, MErvrsERs Robert Bennett Leon Haynes Pittsburgh Technical Institute Margie Benson James H. Herndon, M.D. Vera A. Purnell Benefactors Dick Corporation Meyer Berger Helen Hightower B.J. Rayburg Bell Atlantic Mobile Systems Duquesne Light Company Margaret Berry Eileen M. Hilko Real Estate Enterprises Blue Cross of Süestern PA Dynamet Foundation Patricia Bilock Jane Hill Mr. & Mrs. William H. Reed Dollar Bank Earth Science Consultants Bloomfield Preservation & Holiday Park School Margaret Rees Entrée Magazine Elkem Metals Heritage Society, Inc. H. William and Janet E. Holtz Paula R. Rhodes Graham Realty Figg Engineering Rev. Wesley Blaha Kimberly Holzerland Mr. & Mrs. Paul Riber Mackin Engineering FirstSouth Savings & Loan Minnette B. Boesel Lisa Hrynda Frank P. Hess & Company, Inc. Laura C. Ricketts Mylan Laboratories, Inc. Daniel L. Bonk Elizabeth S. Hurtt Pittsburgh High Tech Council The Gateway Engineers Edward R. Bosley III Veronica M. Rocks, Esq. PNC Bank Great American Federal Dolores E. Bowler Ross Jennings Bernd P. Rose Hawbaker Maddigan & Partne¡s Pittsburgh Steelers Sports, Inc. Mrs. Fred C. Brady Robert S. Johnston Charles L. Rosenblum & Higgins of PA, Inc. Russell, Rea,Zappala & Gomulka Johnson Todd D. Brant Shirley G. Johnston Michelle Rothert SmithKline Beecham Schmidt & Associates Johnson Ronald A. Briskey Cheryl Johovich Mrs. Fanell Rubenstein TCI of Pennsylvania, Inc. Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Kathleen and Warren Jones Alison Rushford Landmarks Design Associates Melvin M. Brooks Patrons L. B. Foster Company Jean Brown Alina Lao Keebler Saint Vincent College Armstrong Group of Companies LCI International Donna B. Brusco Mr. & Mrs. William M. Kellv Stephen J. Salmon Beckwith Machinery Company Mulach Parking Structures Patricia Ann Buck Betty Kent Chas Schaldenbrand Burrell Group, Inc. Corporation John Burton Carol and Alan Kesler Mr. & Mrs. Paul W. CM Financial Group North Side Bank Judith Calloway and family Schaughency Ferry Electric Industries Oberg Joel T. Camp William Keyes Josephine Schmidt Fisher Scientific Pirtsburgh Institute of Aeronaurics Mrs. Edward W. Campbell Monna J. Kidney John Schneider Hilb, Rogal 8c Hamilton Company Pittsburgh Pirates Mr. & Mrs. Roger L. Kingsland III Mark G. Schoeppner Integra Bank John Canning Port Authority of Aliegheny County and family Dorothy L. Scott Matthews International Corporation Pamela Carter Rennekamp Lumber John N. Kite, Jr. Ken and Rhys Service Riley & DeFalice, P.C. Mr. & Mrs. Vincent J. Carton, Jr. Salem Corporation Mollie P. Kite and family Trans-General Life lnsurance and family Sargent Electric Company Evan Klein Mrs. Albert K. Sherman Sesame Inn Evaline Chalfant Partners Dr. Bernard J. Kobosky Joan Shinavski Stuchell and Haabestad Mr. & Mrs. James Chisholm Dona Kreiger Stephen Shorthouse Allegheny Valley Bank TRACO lWindows Alfred Christopher, Jr. Allied Rev. Richard Kuhns Marilyn Siemering Security T&T Ha¡dware Charlotte Cohen American States Insurance John Mark H. Smith Tucker Arensberg, P.C. William T. Conlon, Jr. Kusenko Bell of Pennsylvania 'West LuAnn Sokolowski Penn Hospital Elias and Sophia Coutsis Mr. & Mrs. Carl J. Lanke Bobby Rubino's, Inc. David L. Spence, M.D. Robert L. Critchlow and family California University Associates Roberta Solomon Sramac Doris LaPietra Chubb Group of Insu¡ance Companies Delta International Machinery Phillip Daquila and family Leona K. LaValley and family Columbia Gas Hall Industries Jennie Davidson Jay F. Steele Lawrenceville Historical Society Community Savings Koppers Industries Geraldine Wood Davis Mary Janet Stetter Rachel Layton Coopers & Lybrand Landmark Security Transport Laura D. Davis John E. Stevenson, Jr. Kathryn Leahy CTR Systems Rose Marie Dayton Ted and Beth Stevenson Barnard J. Liff, FAIA Matthew J. Deluliis Sally Stewart Maryanne Loebig Mary DeSena Barbara R. Stolarz Myrtle Low Joanne Devereaux Harriet Szymanski Mary LaVerne Dimmick Paula L. Lowe Mr. & Mrs. Harold J. Dom Richard.T. Lutz Rafael L Torres Greg Turner and family Heather Maier Constance M. Dougherty Randell L. Makinson Robert Washington Jack J. Doyle Theresa C. Mal Dennis Weber Landmarlts in Lights Lauren and John Durain Mrs. Peter Malkin Gregory A. Weimerskirch Dita Dyck Manor Elementary School Marlene Weisdack Landmarks is pleased to thank Miles, Inc. for generously contribut- Robert M. Eppinger Gregory M. Mardirossian George Whitmer family Bill Wilson ing promotional space on its Mt. Washington electronic billboard C.A. Eubanks Robert Marschik and Paul C. McBeth, Jr. Maura C. WilÌiams this past August. Landmarks was promoted on three different days Elda Eureka Thomas W. McCargo Dwayne D. Woodruff, Esq. including August 5 and 6 of Regatta weekend. Dennis J. Fantaski Elizabeth McDonald Robert Wright, Jr. Anna K. Ferrari Helen P. McDonough Nancy L. Zagorac Fort Cherry School District Judy Mclntyre Valeriano C.Zano, Ph.D., RA PHLF News is published times each year the members of the Pittsburgh Andy J. Fortna Mary Lou Jive for Mclaughlin AnnZebner HistorT & Landmarks Found¡¿tion, a non-profit historíc preservation organization Fox Chapel Country Day School Kathryn G. Meider Leonard J. Zielinski serving Allegheny County. Landmarks is commìlted 1o neighborhood restoration and Foxfire, Inc. Elizabeth Ann Melko Dr. & Mrs. David Zontine historic -property prese rvation; public advocacy ; education and members hip Barbara Frampton Evalyne L. Miller programs: and the continuing development of Station Square, a riverfront property Pamela Frank Marie R. Miller opposite downlown Pittsburgh. PHLF News is supported through membership Franklin Elementary School Robert A. Mock proceeds Station Squrtre, and advertising revenue. dollars, from P.F.A. George O. Morgan Pete and Cindi Fuselier Tana R. Moses Arthur P. Ziegler, Jr...... President Mt. Lebanon School District Louise Sturgess .,...... 8ditor/Executive Direclor Richard A. Gale Mrs. David C. Munay Cathy Broucek...... Director of Marketing, Station Square Claire B. Gallagher and Elisa J. Cavalier ...... General Counsel Dr. & Mrs. David Gerstman family Mary Lu Denny...... Director of Membership Senices Pamela J. Giannette Deborah L. Myers Eric F. Dickerson...... Advertising Sales Manager Mark and Ida Gleeson Mrs. George R. Myers Marv Ann Eubanks.. Education Coordinalor Roland R. Graham, Jr. Bill Nelson Walter C. Kidney...... Archilectural Historian Evelyn Granieri Terry Nelson-Taylor Stanley A. Lowe...... Director of the Presenation Fund Roberta G¡atz Albert M. Tann1er...... Archívist Greg Pytlik...... Desi9ner December 1993 . PHLF l{ews Page 3

Publications Feature Pittsburgh's Ar Architecture, Rivers & People THr LnNrDMARKS Books are wonderful holiday gifts, since there is often plenty of time during the winter months to relax and read. If some- SronE one on your holiday shopping list is inter- ested in the history and architecture of The Book and Gift Shop of the Pittsburgh, in its rivers, or in its people, Pittsburgh History & Landmarks then you may want to consider purchas- Foundation ing a book published by the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation. ANrrquES FoR Here is a sampling of current publica- THE HOLIDAYS tions. Call (412) 4'll-5808 if you would like to purchase a book (all are hand- New may be bright and shiny, but old is somely illustrated and reasonably priced); wonderful. So, during this holiday season stop The Landmarks Store on the or, by The Landmarks Store is offering some balcony level of The Shops at Station special older items in addition to its new Square. books and gifts. On the left as you enter Life and Archifecture in Pittsburgh the store (next to the Pittsburgh book is glass case containing an combines a selection of 64 memorable section) a interesting, and of course changing essays by Jamie Van Trump, Pittsburgh's selection of small antique objects. Specifi< preeminent architectural historian. In items are subject to prior sale, but the vivid prose, Jamie recounts stories of objects described below are typical of mansions and mansion builders, of what you are likely to find in stock. landmark Pittsburgh architects and their Interesting glass, ceramic, and pottery Allegheny Cemetery: A Romantic art of designing the Western River boat buildings, and of life in the East End of items are usually available: cranberry and I-andscape in Pittsburgh (by V/alter C. and of engineering and navigating our Pittsburgh early in this century. Essay green glass goblets and vases; cranberry the most rivers. Special historical sections describe titles include: "The Old City Hall of Kidney) is a tribute to one of glass and stoneware pitchers; decorative Charles visit to Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh"; "Architecture and the picturesque places in Pittsburgh, and one Dickens' plates-the 1901 President McKinley the Pittsburgh Land"; "Autumn Wine and where its history is most vividly felt. 1842, legendary keelboatman Mike commemorative plate is quite unusual; Preservation"; "The Duquesne Gardens"; Founded in 1844, Allegheny Cemetery is Fink, and the glamorous packet Virginia. and a fine selection of Art Deco lustrewar "Memories of Old Sewickley"; and an unexpectedly romantic place in plates, and on( Sarah Evosevich, long-known as the includes tea sets, luncheon "Memories of Highland Park." Jamie Pittsburgh, so long an industrial city. items in a variety of colors. proprietress of Sarah's Ethnic Restaurant of-a-kind reminds us that buildings and places Many famous Pittsburghers are buried Then there are always a few curiositie¡ on the South Side of Pittsburgh, worked reflect lives; they express and symbolize there: those who had local wealth and an ivory-handled seafood knife c. 1904, with the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks those people who were involved in creat- power, those nationally known such as or a wooden fruit squeezer c. 1880, or a Foundation to publish her compelling life ing and in using them and he renders Stephen Collins Foster and Lillian complete set of straight razors in the story. Sarah: Her Lfe, Her Restøurønt, for us with endearment- the things that we Russell, even founders of major indus- original carrying case that would be the Her Recipes is an inspiring story of the may have put away, or not even have tries such as Alfred E. Hunt for alu- envy of Sweeney Todd. evolution of a Serbian farm girl into an noticed, like those yellow daisies on the minum. The book includes an essay To learn more about antiques, browse American businesswoman. A collection golden aftemoon at the forgotten train describing the Cemetery's history, archi- through the extensive section of books of recipes by Sarah adapted for home use station. tecture, and landscape, and a guide to 195 devoted to antiques and interior design. is included. significant burial places and buildings. You will find many books about indi- Majesty of the Law: The Court These are the major books now avail- vidual designers and craftsmen; historical Houses of Allegheny County (by James A Pøst Still Alive: The Pittsburgh able from the Pittsburgh History & surveys which show the evolution of D. Van Trump) places the three succes- History & Landmarks Foundation Landmarks Foundation. Many architec- furniture and decorative objects; and sive court houses ofPittsburgh in their Celebrates Twenty-five Years (by Walter tural booklets (such as Pittsburgh in books on textiles, carpets, wallpaper, historical context. The greater part of the C. Kidney) contains three essays on the Your Pocket: A Pocket Gui.de to china, glass, pottery, time pieces, and text relates the history of H. H. loss and preservation ofhistoric struc- Pittsburgh-areø Architecture by Walter furniture. Don't overlook the sales sectior Richardson's Court House of 1888 and tures and places in the Pittsburgh region. C. Kidney) are also available. Call which offers some very fine books about its adjoining Jail, two of the United "What We Have Lost," the first essay, is Landmarks at(412) 471-5808 for a antiques for under $20.00. States' most illustrious buildings. Their illustrated with 82 historic photographs. complete listing of publications ... and To view these special holiday offerings conception, construction, and later histo- There are bridges, inclines, mansions, enjoy reading about Pittsburgh this visit The Landmarks Store on the balcon' of The Shops at Station Square. ry are related in detail, and their composi- churches, train stations, houses, office winter. tion and place in architectural history are buildings - all landmarks once part of Members of Landmarks receiue a analyzed with the help of historic and Pittsburgh's life. The second essay, 10o/o discount on all items. "What Remains and Why," modern views. and the third At the Printers! TrI¡ LnNo¡,ranxs SroRE essay "Vy'hat May Be Kept: Creative BarcoNv Lrvnr Margaret Henderson Floyd's book, Preservation," are also lavishly illustrat- Tnr Snops er Sreuou Seuenr, ed. The main text is followed by a Arc hite c tur e øft e r Ric hards o n : Pltlsnuncu, P A. t 5 zr 9- r 17 o Re gionalis m b eþre M o dernis m chronology of the Pittsburgh History & ; 4rz-765-ro4z Landmarks Foundation. Longfellow, Alden and Harlow in Boston and Pittsburgh, is now at the Through its eloquent text and rich illus- printers. Landmarks and The University trations, The Three Rivers (by Walter C. of Chicago Press (co-publishers of the Kidney) describes the beauty, vitality, book) expect to receive copies for distrib- Landmarks and creative force of Pittsburgh's three ution in February. rivers: the Ohio, Allegheny, and The 540-page hardbound book (size Welcomes Monongahela. Mr. Kidney describes the 9"x12") is illustrated with 490 photo- graphs and line drawings. Complete with a a listing of some 350 known works, Tup SocIETY FoR Architecture after Richardson offerc a fascinating new perspective on the MRCTIN ENGINEERING THE PRESERVATION OF decades following H.H. Richardson's death. It will appeal to anyone with an interest in this crucial period of a aurant America's architectural development. In January, members of Landmarks as a Corporate Member DU0UESTE IilCIiltt will be receiving an invitation to a lecture Benefactor and book reception in February in honor of the Pittsburgh History & of Margaret Henderson Floyd; copies of Landmarks Foundation Dedicated to preservation the of Architecture after Richardson will be that which cannot be replaced available for purchase at the book landmarks appreciates the commitment reception. of Mackin Engineeríng in helping us The retail price is $60; members of create afuture Pittsburgh For a membership A converted church Landmarks receive a 107o discount. For for by presening its past. please phone 381-1665 serving award-winning cuisine. further information, please call Louise t-r Reseruations call 682-1 879 Sturgess at Landmarks (412) 471-5808. Page 4 PHLF News . December 1993 The South Side: Securing lts Progress

At the beginníng of September, Mayor Masloff signed the bill creating the East Carson Street City Historic Distríct, and in so doing helped secure a progress that has tahen years. The District created has a commercial character, and is long and thitt. But those.familiar with the South Side might be tempted to aduocate the uhole place as a Distríct, from the

riaer to the sltyline. The small-town character of the place, the churches, the houses, the v" rather quirky and uaríed street spüces that are often beautifully scaled to the houses that line it them: these lure anyone who uould try to drazu a boundary further anclfurther. Minus iron and glass plants, plus street trees, the South Side has lost most of its uísible economic reason for being but has gained much as a place to liue.

A Long Climb If the present state of East Carson Street is not per- Allegheny Foundation, Landmarks bought 1705 Carson fect, it still represents a long climb out of a far worse Street and five houses on Jane Street in order to set condition. Urban Redevelopment Authority condemna- examples of remodeling and restoration. Gradually, tion in 1949 of 32 acres for Jones & Laughlin expansion Landmarks withdrew from direct acquisition and gave drove out 203 families according to official figures support to the creation in 1916 of the Birmingham perhaps double that many in others' estimation and- Union named after one of the three original boroughs most left the neighborhood, no longer to shop there.- In that made- up the neighborhood which took up the 1958, with the passing of a new Zoning Ordinance, large daily tasks. Another group, founded- in 1914, the South residential areas of the Flats were rezoned Light Side Arts and Crafts Association made up of art and Industrial; this caused the removal of some houses per- antique dealers, had an obvious interest in the commer- haps, but worse yet, building permits for house construc- cial vitality and amenity of Carson Street, and promoted tion and repairs were withheld. The younger people these. The City began to take a new interest in the Flats, began to move away to Baldwin and other suburbs, leav- and the Pittsburgh Press Io run encouraging articles. ing older people, with diminished incomes, to be the customers of the stores. ln 1962, around the worst time, the local Brashear Main Street Association surveyed the situation and found a socially- In 1984, almost the entire area of the new City sound but physically-deteriorating neighborhood, with Historic District as designated this summer was entered the zoning, the industrial traffic on Carson Street, and on the National Register of Historic Places: a designa- the need for better stores and more parking space the tion that not only honored the Victorian stretch of chief problems. Carson Street but inhibited the spending of State and Improvement began in 1966, when the Light Federal money in ways that would damage the National Industrial zoning changed again to Residential, making Register District as a whole or any of its buildings. This home improvement legal once more. In 1961 , a positive led to a 1985 event of more immediate benefit. The move toward improvement came with the collaboration National Trust for Historic Preservation had a Main of a rejuvenated South Side Chamber of Commerce and Street Program, which sought to promote restoration and A uieto of the South Side Slopes and Flctts.from Mt. Washt the South Side Community Council, a few years old, to commercial revitalization of small-town Main Streets, launch Operations Georgetown: plural because its cam- and had just decided to extend its scope with an Urban paigns affected commercial and residential develop- Demonstration Program. The non-profit South Side gram was funded. The Urban Redevelopment Authority ment, and "Georgetown" because Jane Jacobs, a pundit Local Development Company (SSLDC), founded in streetface program, which offers grants for commercial on urbanism of 30 years ago, had pronounced the South 1982, seized the opportunity to apply, and the applica- front improvement, was a valuable aid to rehabilitation Side "a working man's Georgetown," modest but with tion was accepted. That East Carson Street was chosen in this historic district. City loans available to businesses great potential as a place to live. to be the nation's first beneficiary under this program had a part too. The State also had a Main Street Program The increased morale led to conventional home was natural enough. Historically, it was three Main through its Department of Community Affairs, and this improvements, though aluminum siding and the like Streets in one, those ofthree little contiguous boroughs supplied funding in 1987-89. Thus even after the that ignored the distinctive- architectural qualities, that had been annexed by Pittsburgh irt 1812, and - still National Trust completed its work in 1988, a multitude Victorian mostly, that gave the Flats their character. In retained a small-town air. More to the point, the Trust of organizations and programs were active to urge mer- the was summer of 1961 , the Pittsburgh History & convinced that the morale and abilities of people in chants and property owners toward the goal of a good- Landmarks Foundation began a campaign to restore, not the neighborhood were there to take advantage of the looking, vigorous commercial street whose Victorian merely remodel, South Side buildings, and joined forces Program. deckings-out of fancy bricklaying and florid cast-iron with the Chamber and the Council to advocate the new The result was Main Street on East Carson, an lintels were a major part of its appeal. policy and advise on how it might be implemented. The SSlDC-administered campaign which received three And in fact, East Carson Street has appeal these years Birmingham Restoration Program began in the latter of technical assistance from the National Trust and days in a regional way rather than a merely local one. part of 1967, with the local American Institute of others in facade restoration, store planning, and mer- This circumstance has been growing slowly for quite a Architects advising on shop front remodeling and lJrban chandising. National Trust participation ended in 1988, while. Sarah's Restaurant, now closed, was known city- Design Associates providing a general plan for the reha- but the SSLDC continues to administer the Main Street wide since the 1970s, and today there are several distin- bilitation of Carson Street. Financial counseling for program. Through the Allegheny Foundation, which guished restaurants in the District, a number of bars that owners was part of the program. With a grant from the helps fund SSLDC operation, a commercial signage pro- are definitely not from the industrial era, and the City Theatre. The long existence of the South Side Arts and Crafts Association implies outside custom on a modest 1705 East Carson Street as it used to be ...... o,ncl after an exemplary remodeling by Landmarks. scale from an early period in the neighborhood's rebirth. Furthermore, businesses have, at least in past years, shown an interest in moving to the South Side, partly because of its accessibility, partly because the neighbor- hood has a good feeling about it: low crime, good work ethic.

City Designation The South Side generally, the National Register District particularly, has made a great advance, and it was natural enough that the South Side Planning Forum members, 10 in number and including the SSLDC, should wish to secure the advance. To stimulate them toward a nomination for City Historic District status, a defacement of a Victorian building row took place in 1988, and a few years later a Modernistic shop front was removed. Yet any move toward City designation had to be made cautiously. Even owners who approved and partic- ipated in the Main Street Program were apt to resist the idea of being forced not to alter the architecture of their buildings, or to go to the City for approval of a shop- front remodeling. The very concept of private property seemed to be challenged, and the more philosophical of the owners might have objected to the artificiality of an imposed official taste that might be fixated on the Victorian period, a century behind them. There were 'îili1ri¡i'i. it,liiirllirllil/irlliliiltiil,rflil,,lliliiillfiüu,Iiltdtd,ilrilu¿uru,u,il,,,,,.,,,__, unfounded worries too that owners might be compelled December 1993 . PHLF News Page;

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l4l7 East Carson Street; the South Side's Locøl Edusards Court, q, traditional-Iooking neu.t deuelop- Deuelopment Company is located on the thirdfloor ment by the South Side Local Deuelopment of this building. Company.

We believe that the decision was right, and that the complaints will die down in the face of experience, yet interviews in say a year with those now opposed would be interesting to hold: see if any complaints remain, and state them. Finally, In the last few years, Landmarks has resumed a more active role in the South Side through our Preservation Fund, with a loan of $39,000 toward the purchase and renovation of l4ll East Carson Street, SSLDC's headquarters building; a bridge loan of $100,000 to buy the deserted Eichleay property at Wharton and South 17th Streets; a $50,000 loan for a sales agreement on riverfront land near by, to be devel- oped for housing; and $53,350 for the Edwards Court T he M ø.c lúnt o sh-H emp hill p r o p e r ty : e unr e s olu e d development. futur Two outstanding properties remain in doubtful cir- Photo by CLyd.e Høre cumstances, much remarked-on but in a perpetual state of inconclusion. One is 901-11 Bingham Street, the old Mackintosh-Hemphill property that seems to be in the grip of owner indecision as well as being the focus of a lawsuit. This is within the City Historic District, the other is not: the old Duquesne Brewery, where a pur- chaser, the City, and the resident artists may be coming to an agreement maybe. This is a summary- of a complicated story, given here to celebrate the neighborhood's climb of three decades or more from its one-time despond, and to put together a few memorable elements of its progress.

A South Side roofscape. Belou: Corporate sltyscrapers in dotnntou;n Pittsburgh dppear nou and then aboue the small- A Mid.-Victorian row on East Cørson Street ... spoiled in 1988. toun roofscape of the South Sid.e Fh,ts. li The Book and Gift Shop of the li to restore and reconstruct, as opposed to keep and main- Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation tain, missing shop fronts and decorative work. ln 1992, then, the Forum began to issue literature and to hold seminars, with the assistance of the City's Wsrn¡zyrrrYBrrrYS Historic Review Commission (HRC), to inform owners of what designation would mean. Among other points made, a bank official declared that City designation TrNy Prcr Pors would probably increase interest from lending institu- tions and would certainly not diminish it. Although two direct mailings went to the 312 prop- PrNepprsLrcHTS erty owners within the proposed District and the local South Pittsburgh Reponer advertised the seminar, only 51 owners attended, and only I 1 District owners and 13 Por Fppr others responded to a questionnaire given them: 18 in favor, 1 opposed,5 undecided. The Forum placed the nomination early in 1993; research providing the nomi- Cunrous ? nation's specifics was partly paid for by Landmarks' Preservation Fund, with staffing and other costs paid by the SSLDC. The nomination made it through the HRC TH¡,Se AND OTHER CURIoSITIES and City Planning Commission hearings without diffi- FOR THE HOUOAYS ET culty, Landmarks of course speaking in favor. The July 22, 1993 hearing before City Council was another matter. A few owners spoke in dissent, some on matters of principle, others because they had already THp LaNp¡vrARKS Sronp been refused a Federal Investment Tax Credit or funding Members of LandmørÞs receiue a too/o discount under the City's Streetface program that National on all items. Register District status made possible, or a certificate of appropriateness during the interim period, since January Tr¡s SHops AT SrATroN SeuARE 4, 1993 when the District was under nomination and ON THB (+tz) ipso facto under HRC control. The dissenters were loud- BarcoNy 765-to4z ly applauded, yet City Council voted for the District. Page 6 PHLF News o December 1993

I

a A Posirir;e Force in Pinsburgh's Lif,

THts HAS BEEN A ToucH vEAR FoR PIrrssuRcH: increased crime, eco- over 10,000 people this year to the concept of historic preservation, and nomic hardship, and pessimistic forecasts. But in spite of these city-wide helped them understand the value of creating a furure for Pittsburgh by problems, the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation has been a preserving its past. positive force in Pittsburgh's life, through neighborhood resrorarion pro- THnoucH ouR EFFoRTS IN pRESERVATIoN ADVocACy, we have grams, education programs, involvement with historic properties and cul- worked constructively with urban planners, politicians, neighborhood tural institutions, economic development, future planning, and Station leaders, historic property owners, and others to influence various issues Square. Our staff is limited, our resources are limited, our impact is relating to historic preservation and the future of our city. limited-but what we have achieved this year, through the sup- THRoucn Srerlox SguaRo, the Sl-acre riverfront site port of our trustees, staff, volunteers, and members, contin- opposite downtown Pittsburgh, Landmarks continues to ues to demonstrate Landmarks'commitment to the demonstrate the economic value of historic preservation Pittsburgh region. and its principles of urban planning. Over 3,000,000 pe, THRoucH LRxoH¿aRrs' PRnsnRvRtIox FuxD, we ple visited Station Square this year, making it the singl, have provided technical and financial assistance to 30 most visited attraction in Pittsburgh. (The inclines are inner-city neighborhood organizations so that various the second most visited attraction.) As master develop historic properties could be renovated for residential and er of Station Square, Landmarks greatly contributes to community use, and we have worked closely with lend- the economy of Pittsburgh and works closely with the ing institutions and neighborhood organizations to see that Pittsburgh Convention & Visitors Bureau and others to affordable home-ownership programs are created to meet the promote Pittsburgh as a major tourist destination. needs of neighborhood residents. Vacant, dilapidated old Wn SBI-IBVE THAT PrrrssuRcH cAN BE A GREAT homes have been purchased by neighborhood groups with AvBRIcnN CITy. We continue to work to make it a stronger city, and Landmarks' assistance, attÍactively renovated, painted and carpeted, and we believe that it is essential to incorporate the value of historic preservi sold to low- to moderate-income people; more adults and children now tion as we work to improve the quality of life in inner-city neighborhooc have homes in safer neighborhoods, and are more hopeful about their to educate people about Pittsburgh's history; and to create major new lives. developments (such as Station Square) that contribute to the regional Ix ooucarloN we have reached out to suburban and narional audi- economy. This has been a tough year, but still a time of much opporrun ences, as well âs to our hometown members and friends. We introduced ty and achievement for Landmarks.

Now, for specific program accomplishments in 1993: mately $4,000,000 more, from 16 other donors.) Harlem residents in the preservation of historic proper provided technical assistance to Calbride Place Citizen's ties; on January 8, Stanley paficipated in a Presidenti¡ to a master plan "Neighborhoods Landmarks' Preservation Fund Council work toward developing ^ to Transition Round Table titled in Through this Fund and the leadership of its director revitalize the North Side neighborhood. ì America"; on March 8, he escorted National Trust pre Stanley Lowe, Landmarks provides financial and techni- lent $17,000 to the Allegheny West Civic Council dent Richard Moe and regional office director Patricia cal assistance to neighborhood organizations preparing (AWCC) for rehabilitation of 930 West North Avenue as D. V/ilson on a tour of Pittsburgh neighborhoods; com feasible plans for the restoration ofhistoric properties. a single-family unit. munity officials and preservation leaders also came This year, Landmarks' Preservation Fund: lent $5,000 to AWCC for the purchase of the first part of from Virginia, Ohio, and West Virginia on different lent the Manchester Citizens Corporation (MCC) the eight-unit Denny row at 942West North Avenue. occasions for neighborhood tours. $50,000 to purchase a controlling interest in the man- lent the Northside Leadership Conference $10,000 for Indeed, it has been a year of impressive accomplisl agement rights of 96 low- to moderate-income units in operational support, of which $5,000 was a recoverable ments for Landmarks' Preservation Fund. Manchester, on Pittsburgh's North Side. This loan grant. Among other things, this funding assisted the allows the MCC to begin to make the Manchester neigh- East Allegheny Community Council in its development Advocacy borhood private, owned and controlled by the residents of Avery Street Homes, four units at 520-26 Avery This year, our staff committed a great- deal of energy a who live there. Street in Deutschtown. involvement in urban and regional planning, transport provided technical assistance to the MCC in assembling lent $100,000 to the South Side Local Development tion planning, and economic development-factors 18 historic buildings to be developed for the third phase Company (SSLDC) to close on the Eichleay property at which influence the health of historic buildings and of an affordable housing program for low- to moderate- South 17th and Wharton Streets for eventual housing neighborhoods. Through Arthur ZiegTer' s leadership, income residents. restoration and construction as Fox Way Commons. Walter Kidney's knowledge, and Elisa Cavalier's lega provided technical assistance to the MCC to buy five lent $50,000 to allow the SSLDC to obtain a sales expertise, we have been very involved in the discussic historic buildings (with 10 residential units) at l2l7-23 agreement to purchase nearby land for riverfront regarding the new bridge that is to cross the Juniata Street in Manchester. housing. Monongahela River, and we have been active on com" provided technical assistance to a Manchester property provided technical assistance to Hosanna House for mittees to determine the proper restoration and lightin owner who was rehabilitating his house at lI2l renovation of the former Horner Middle School in of the Smithfield Street Bridge and to ward off State a Liverpool Street. Wilkinsburg for use as a community center. Federal attempts to put Jersey barriers and chain-link lent $185,000 to the MCC to acquire and resell two Stanley also devoted much time to promote a close fences on the Schenley and Panther Hollow Bridges. houses at ll23-25 Liverpool Street for single-family working relationship among Pittsburgh's lending institu- We have participated in meetings on the future of the home ownership. tions, Landmarks, the Urban Redevelopment Authority, Courthouse and Jail. We examined the old machinery provided technical assistance to the Northside Tenants and the Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group (a the Monongahela Incline and selected parts for petma Reorganization (NTR) in the completion of Phase I of consortium of 30 neighborhood organizations). Now, nent display at Station Square, and we gave the Port the Brighton Place project on Pittsburgh's central North over $700,000,000 dollars is available from local lend- Authority advice on the restoration and enlargement o Side: l8 historic residential structures were renovated to ing institutions for mortgages to acquire and/or restore the Monongahela Incline's upper station. We have sp< provide 34 housing units for single female heads of housing and small commercial buildings in low- to ken at public hearings in favor of the South Side City households; one historic commercial building was reno- moderate-income neighborhoods, and for community- Historic District, the City landmarking of Engine vated to house the NTR headquarters and a laundromat. based development initiatives. Company No. 1, and the sale of the King Estate, and (In 1991, Landmarks provided a loan of $224,000 to the The cooperative working relationship forged in have spoken also at hearings regarding the Boulevard NTR which was used to purchase two nuisance bars and Pittsburgh among financial institutions, local govern- area in Carrick and the enclosure of the Phipps six vacant historic houses. This initial loan gave credi- ment, and neighborhood groups is influencing neighbor- Conservatory grounds. In conclusion, we have been bility to the project and leveraged a total of approxi- hood policy nationally. Stanley worked closely this year attending meetings of Preservation Pittsburgh, whose with the Landmarks Harlem organization to assist December 1993 o PHLF Ne.ns Page 7

organization is set up for preservation advocacy. logue the library collection that is open to members This year, Landmarks was also at work on two pri- On November 10, we received the good news that weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Two interns from vate developments for Station Square: the restoration of the amicus brief in which we joined in 1991, requesting Duquesne University assisted Al Tannler this year- the Lawrence Paint Building as a possible residential a rehearing of the notorious Boyd Theater Case in we thank Jennifer Gilman and Amy Dewalt for all condominium and the creation of River Park. Design Philadelphia, had resulted in a reversal of the court's their help. work has been completed on the exterior renovations decision, putting Pennsylvania historic-preservation necessary for the Lawrence Paint Building, and bids ordinances on a firm ground once again. The new deci- The Landmarks Store have been taken. Financing is being arranged for this sion, however, does state that interiors, as aesthetic enti- The book and gift shop of the Pittsburgh History & new development, which will bring housing to Station ties, are not protected. Landmarks Foundation (formerly known as The Square for the first time. A grant from the Allegheny The most important threats of the comingyerr, Cornerstone) was renamed The Landmarks Store this Foundation of $1,000,000 will enable us to begin exteri- whose potential is still developing, are those caused by year. Now managed by Melinda Lubetz, The or restorations. concerns of liability and security: threats to the City- Landmarks Store is located on the balcony level of The At the same time, we moved forward with the land- County Building and the bridges of Schenley Park. Shops at Station Square. The store has the largest stock scape design firm of Oehme van Sweden & Associates of architecture, interior design, and decorative arts to complete the working drawings for the new two-and- Education books in the area, as well as a complete stock of a-half-acre River Park funded by the Scaife Family \ùy'e offered teacher in-service courses, adult continuing Pittsburgh books. There also are many distinctive gifts. Foundation. River Park will be built between the education, an architectural apprenticeship for high The quality of merchandise has improved this year, and Gateway Clipper ramp and the Fort Pitt Bridge. Bids school students, 130 in-school presentations of Portable business has increased. Members of Landmarks receive are now being taken. Pittsburgh, family programs, slide shows and lectures, a IÙVo discount, so plan on visiting The Landmarks Progress continued on the Riverwalk of Industrial and private group tours. Architecture After Richardson, Store during the holiday-shopping season. Artifacts: Quaker State Oil Corporation generously pro- Margaret Henderson Floyd's book on the legacy of vided signage for the oil well exhibit at the east end of Longfellow, Alden & Harlow, went to the printers. . . Hlstoric Properties the Riverwalk, and Ashland Oil has agreed to contribute funds and a comprehensive layout of Clyde Hare's This year, Al Tannler wrote a series of articles in PHLF for the relocation and erection of a 45-foot-tall Pittsburgh-l59 photos arranged in three sections-was News on the historic properties affiliated with refining tower. completed, documenting Pittsburgh from the 1950s to Landmarks: the Neville House in Collier Township, During the course of 1993 considerable investment the present. Old St. Luke's in Scott Township, the Burtner House in was made in maintenance at Station Square and in The high point of our year in education was the Harrison Township, and the Rachel Carson Homestead future planning. Business remained good during these Hands-On History Festival on May 8 at the Station in Springdale. A brief summary of their year-end status recessionary times, and the Grand Concourse was listed Square Festival Tent. Students and teachers from 13 follows: as the forty-first largest-grossing restaurant in the United schools in the Pittsburgh region exhibited projects relat- The major activity at Old St. Luke's involves plan- States. The Sheraton Hotel was number 28 in the nation ing to Pittsburgh's history and architecture, and 45 stu- ning for the 1994 centennial of therü/hiskey Rebellion, in sales per room. Office space remained well leased. dents competed in the "Great Pittsburgh Bridge- and arranging a series of programs with local historical Building Contest." In all our education efforts, Mary Lu agencies that will examine life in 1794. National Recognition Denny, Mary Ann Eubanks, Al Tannler, and Walter Since the sutnmer of 1993, the Burtner House has After 29 years of historic preservation work in assisted Kidney were by an able group of tour docents, been preoccupied with a possible threat from a proposed Pittsburgh, Landmarks' president Arthur Ziegler was Portable Pittsburgh docents, and volunteers. car dealership adjacent to the property. Elisa Cavalier, honored as a co-recipient ofthe 1993 Louise du Pont On November 16, our Historic Plaque Committee general counsel of Landmarks, is working with the Crowninshield Award. (Arthur shares the Award with awarded eight plaques to owners of historic landmarks, Burtner House Society and the Harrison Township Carl B. Westmoreland of Cincinnati.) This is the high- and on December 6, our Award of Merit Committee will authorities to resolve this issue. est honor that the National Trust bestows in recognition rccognize 17 individuals and organizations for outstand- At the Rachel Carson Homestead, the highly suc- for achievements in historic preservation. ing achievements in historic preservation and for cessful annual benefit dinner took place on June 16, fea- Landmarks' quarter-century of work in neighbor- increasing public knowledge of our heritage. Feature turing Teresa Heinz as guest speaker. hood preservation was specially cited. In his letter to articles on the landmark plaque properties and Award of The 1993 program at the Neville House, although Arthur Ziegler of July 27, National Trust President Merit recipients will be in the next issue of PHLF News. primarily limited to the summer months of June and Richard Moe wrote: "Your involvement with the July and the holiday season, was the most successful to Mexican War Streets, Manchester, and finally at Station Artifacts date: weekend programs during these months attracted Square clearly illustrates the positive role preservation For 29 years, Landmarks has been collecting and storing hundreds of visitors. In November, 76 ninth-grade stu- can play in inner cities. Your efforts serve as a model artifacts that no other organization was really able to dents from Chartiers Valley High School visited the for preservationists around the country, and your contri- save or store ât the time. This year, we made a concert- Neville House over a four-day period. An interdiscipli- butions at the national, state, and local level have truly ed effort to offer many of our artifacts to cultural organi- nary unit has been created by the school featuring the inspired all of us." zations that are now able to use them. We have the fol- Neville House that will continue through the 1994 lowing results to report: school year. Landscape architects GWSM completed a Broad Base of Support Artifacts stored in the east warehouse at Station Square preliminary master plan for the two-acre property sur- All Landmarks' work in 1993 was accomplished were offered to the Historical Society of Western rounding the Neville House, thanks to a grant from the through the generous contributions of private founda- Pennsylvania, the Heinz Architectural Center at The Garden Club of Allegheny County. tions and individuals, with the support and involvement Carnegie (which accepted many items), the Steel of our trustees, staff, interns, over 200 volunteers, and Industry Heritage Task Force, and the Pittsburgh Station Square our members. Eric Dickerson and Mary Lu Denny head Transportation & Technology Museum, prior to Major new efforts at Station Square this year involved our corporate membership and individual membership Landmarks' public auction in October 1993. working with public agencies on three developments: programs, respectively, and are always eager to intro- Seven of the ten murals painted by Boardman Robinson The restoration and re-lighting of the Smithfield duce more people to our work. Landmarks' sixteenth in 1929 are now part of the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Street Bridge. annual Antiques Show just came to a successful close Center, which has the largest Robinson collection in the The planning and start-up of the new western road into on November 14;.the Show is our largest fund-raising U.S.; the murals will be featured in the Center's forth- Station Square from Carson Street below the Fort Pitt event of the year. coming exhibition of Robinson's work. The last three Bridge and Duquesne Incline. 1993 has been a positive year for Landmarks, and for murals in the sequence of 10 will remain in Pittsburgh; The location and design of the new Wabash Pittsburgh. We look forward to 7994, the 30th anniver- currently they are on display in the Sheraton Hotel at busway/HOV Bridge. sary year of the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Station Square. A restoration plan has been completed for the Foundation, and to all the challenges that a new year The vintage clothing collection has been distributed to Smithfield Street Bridge that respects the historic char- will bring. four organizations: the Historical Society of Western acter ofthe bridge, and calls for repainting it in its origi- Pennsylvania; "Dear Friends," who speciali ze in the nal tan, brown, and blue colors, and restoring in part the music of the 19th century; the Neville House Auxiliary; portals at each end ofthe bridge. Considerable effort and the Allegheny West Civic Council, Inc. In all cases, went into alternative lighting plans funded by grants the costumes will be cared for and shown to the public. from the City and Landmarks, and a working committee The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has accepted the terra unanimously selected the necklace lighting similar to Louise Sturgess cotta ornament from the Moose Building. what is now on the bridge. Work will begin on the Executive Director Documents from the Jones & Laughlin Steel Company Smithfield Street Bridge in early 1994. have been given to the Archives of Industrial Society of The City began work on the western intersection of the University of Pittsburgh. Station Square Drive, which will provide access directly 1992-93 also saw the transfer of vehicles to the onto Carson Street and the Fort Pitt Bridge, and thereby Pittsburgh Transportation & Technology Museum and to the entire Interstate Highway system serving the new railroad museum at Imperial, PA. Pittsburgh. This is the result ofan eight-year effort by Many artifacts and fine pieces of furniture remain in Landmarks. The City committed the first $500,000 Landmarks' collection, and are on display in our offices through the Urban Redevelopment Authority to con- and library on the fourth floor of The Landmarks struct the intersection before the Smithfield Street Building at Station Square. Bridge is closed for repairs. Work on the road itself will be undertaken over the next several years. James D. Van Trump Library The Port Authority is charged with building the On April 18, 88 members and friends attended the Open Wabash Busway HOV Bridge, and Landmarks has been House of the James D. Van Trump Library, on the fourth working closely with the Port Authority on rhe location, floor of The Landmarks Building at Station Square. height, width, and structure of the bridge. (Please see Archivist Al Tannler continued to organize and cata- the cover story for further details.) Page B PHLF News o December 1993 Preservation Scene

National Trust Conference past victories and future vision; and beyond. The 3700-foot perimeter of this The National Trust for Historic Roger Kennedy, who heads the National serene, shining, Ievel space has been a Preservation held its 47th National Park Service. favorite walking and running place since Preservation Conference in St. Louis, The highlight of the conference was the the start. Now, though, the City is up Missouri from September 29 to October presentation of the 1993 Preservation against a mandate to cover the water 3. This year's conference was especially Honor Awards and the Crowninshield against contamination, and the expedient exciting for Landmarks because Stanley Awards. The 15 Honor Awards were pre- way to do this is to float on the water a Lowe, director of Landmarks' sented to groups or corporations for oul- plastic called Hypalon, which comes in Preservation Fund, was one of the standing preservation projects ranging either black or blue. A City Council hear- keynote speakers and Landmarks' presi- from Pillar Place in Missouri (a rehab of ing of September 14 revealed, pre- dent, Arthur P.Ziegler, Jr., was one of the Loretto Catholic Girls School into dictably, that no one wanted to stroll two individuals to be awarded the Louise temporary housing for single mothers and beside the placid Hypalon, though it du Pont Crowninshield Award the their children) to a maritime award for might end up the inevitable consequence National Trust's highest honor -which is the rehabilitation of the battleship Zexas. ofthe edict and the 1995 deadline. The given for outstanding achievement in his- Arthur Ziegler stated that he was not only proposition was raised that the 118,000- toric preservation. honored to receive the Crowninshield gallon Upper Reservoir might be redun- The conference was held at the rehabil- Award, but also pleased to do so together dant, in which case the problem would itated Union Station, which was devel- with Mr. Carl Westmoreland, whom he readily be resolved: drain it and put oped after, and was based in part upon, considers a good friend and with whom something else inside. It appears, though, he has worked on various preservation that the reservoir is needed, and Station Square's renovation. The theme that The open cho,racter of the City-County projects and issues. Both men have tried alternatives to the plastic are much more of the conference was "historic preserva- Building, downtown. tion's role in enhancing the livability of to involve more minority groups in expensive. It may be that the old spacious preservation. cities and other communities," and many historic walk will have to be planted heavily to nal courts in a secure castle-like place, of the speakers, roundtable discussions, shut off a monotonous, featureless while civil courts and offices will wholly tours, and educational sessions offered expanse, black or blue as the case may occupy the Courthouse. during the conference advanced this be. This is almost certain to be the arrange- theme. æ ment, and is good news. But we have Stanley Lowe (who is also on the Security Versus Architecture another splendid building to protect Board of the National Trust) was one of From time to time it is a treat to walk against any expedient disfigurement that five keynote speakers who addressed through the City-County Building, down happens to occur to its custodians. It many ofthe over 1500 conference atten- that great open passage 43 fee.t high and should be established exactly where secu- dees. Mr. Lowe spoke about his work in over 150 long, enjoying its spatial rich- rity barriers are necessary, and they Pittsburgh's inner-city neighborhoods ness and the uncanny effect ofpeople should be designed as first-class works of such as Manchester on the North Side. walking within the great end windows. It design, occasioning as much pride as speakers Eighteen Acres of Hypalon? Other included: House Majority is a truly public space, accessible to a their very existence permits. Leader, Richard Gebhardt (D-MO), who The Highland Park here is a scene from tour group even on a Sunday, accessible discussed his ideas for a national urban 1898, and shows not only the extraordi- at night with a simple signing-in. How job agenda and urged the reinstatement of the nary planting and trimming the gar- different from the experience of another historic tax credit as a vehicle for deners did on the Upper Reservoir Hombostel work, the Public Building at 'Wilmington, increased preservation; well-known hous- embankment, but also the big anticipato- Delaware, where one single ing activist Bertha Gilkey, who brought ry stair that led to an l8-acre expanse of checkpoint with metal detectors leads to a the crowd to their feet with her stories of water with views of wooded hilltops viciously-modemized interior full of police. (See "Count Your Blessings," Preservation Scene, PHLF News, February 1992.) But the blessings are threatening to diminish. At the end of August, it was announced thatjudges and others within "Franltlin Farm" in the 1900s, with the the City-County Building are getting ner- uûter toLaer in the background. vous, and that starts to imply security barriers, which can mean that a gteat Sewickley Heights Water Tower public space may no longer be truly pub- The borough council of Sewickley lic; one does not queue up and tum out Heights has approved demolition of the c. one's pockets, and feel welcome. In our 1900 water tower at "Franklin Farm," the May 1993 Preservation Scene ("The former estate of B. F. Jones, Sr. The sum- County Buildings: What Future?"), we mer mansion itself is long gone, but the expressed similar worries over the tower, a literal landmark in the undulat- Courthouse. ing scenery, had been the object of efforts It is tempting to conclude that we are to restore it. Landmarks was willing to living in a badly-deteriorated society: that accept an easement on the water tower if these barriers in what are now freely- funds could be raised to maintain it. accessible spaces, like the repressive Nothing helped, however, and the stone, wire-mesh fences so common on bridge steel, and shingled tower continued to sidewalks these days, proclaim us to be a decay. The tapered shingled tower, whose society of mutual enemies, a society of form suggests a lighthouse or a windmill, the untrustworthy. In the future we may was primarily a mask for the actual tank have to find architectural inspiration for or standpipe within, but it also had an public buildings not in palaces or basili- observation deck. The architects of the cas but rather in castles: closed places tower were probably Alden & Harlow, to housing crushing power, Them looking which firm the house is attributed. down on Us, and now and then doing so Landmarks regrets that the water tower is with a certain grimly handsome style. In to be demolished. The water tower was fact, it now looks as if our Palace of among the 450 buildings and monuments Preserve a Part of Historu Justice, the Courthouse, will be spared listed worthy of preservation in t the barriers we feared in the spring. After Landmark Architecture : Pittsburgh and With lntegra Bank. the new jail opens, the Richardson Jail Allegheny County, published by can be converted to hold the tense crimi- Landmarks in 1985. Buy and renovate the home of your dreams w¡th our Historic Rehabilitation Mortgage. 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The Schenley Park Bridges: if the individual is a woman, earning a o Some Good News minimum salary and with no, or perhaps The Schenley Bridge, that approaching poor, credit. Such individuals constitute Flagstaff Hill from Schenley Plaza, wlll the majority of those seeking home own- 1 not have to have a Jersey barrier, one of ership in these neighborhoods - one Jo those concrete dwarf walls of fishbelly bank official recently said that l5Vo of the white one sees all too often these days. A home owner applicants she sees are LAND MARKS metal "Illinois" barrier of open character women, and most of these are single. as a Corporate Member and probably better color will satisfy the This situation, the attempts to remedy Federal Highway Administration. Now: it by community activists, and the can we keep Jersey barriers off the improved relations that PCRG has estab- and become part of a nationally- Panther Hollow Bridge, and go on to St. Møry Magdalene Church of 1895; lished with local banking institutions recognized historic preservation have led to the development fight Stalag fencing on the rails of the Ecrst Tenth Auenue and, Amity Street, of the "Ain't organization that: I a Woman! Housing Initiative" pro- Schenley Bridge? The latter is not Homesteo,d gram. Stanley Lowe, director mandatory over a railroad line unless of (} works daily in Pittsburgh's neighbor- so we hear the line is electrified. Bø¡,- Landmarks' Preservation Fund and presi- hoods to improve the quality of life by the electrified- Light Rail line into town Friends of St. Mary's dent of PCRG, notes that this program is, restoring historic srftrcrures for residen- passes under the unfenced walk on the Partly to give moral support to the above in essence, another example of how tial o¡ commercial Boulevard of the Allies sidewalk. organization, the July issue of PIILF PCRG tackles a problem. It will: use; Consistency is absent. Ride out the East News had a photo essay on the church of . establish a partnership (a sisterhood) Busway, and try to figure out the pres- St. Mary Magdalene in Homestead, between successful female heads of I reaches over 10,000 students, teachers, ence here ofJersey barriers, there of which is in danger ofbeing closed. In households who have purchased homes tourists, and residents eachyear through metal barriers, there again ofno barriers response, Barry Piacenza, chair of the and those who wish to or are about to a variety of educational programs whatever. There just seems no logic to Corporate Committee of Friends of Saint do so; featuring Pittsburgh's history and the decisions that are made. Nevertheless, Mary's, sent a letter to Landmarks on . tell the story that needs to be told; architecture; we thank the City, PennDot, and Federal Iuly 29 thanking us for featuring St. . assist borrowers with advice and Mary Magdalene Church in PHLF News, support (help them, for example, to Highway officials for uniting with us on I and continues to demonstrate the the Schenley Bridge issue. and reporting that the "organization is understand and not be intimidated by economic value of histo¡ic preservation working very hard to keep this Historic "banker's language"); and educate the and adaptive reuse through the on-going Literacy! Church open by raising the $366,000 as banks to the need and the opportunity stipulated by the Diocese of Pittsburgh." to serve this important part of the bor- development ofStation Square, the 12- Vy'e deplore the need of publishing this In 11 months of an 1S-month campaign, rowing community. acre riverfront site opposite downtown note, for its argument is that the six-fig- Friends of St. Mary's has raised over As a first step, a brochure has been Pittsburgh. ure houses now being offered the public $250,000 in cash and pledges. Over prepared which outlines the scope and in the Pittsburgh area are often fancified $7,700 alone was raised during a Fall financial provisions of the program and, Corporate Membership Categories compositional abortions. The chill recti- Fantasy Vy'eekend in October to Hidden at the same time, tells the stories of some tude of Modernism has never really Valley and Fallingwater. 20 individuals who overcame the diffi- [] ure $1o,ooo caught on in expensive developments, If you would like to find out more culties and now own their own homes. and a pallid traditionalism has always l-l Benefactor g1,000 about the fund-raising events planned for For information about the "Ain't I a hung on. But the trade magazine the next several months, please call Barry Woman ! Housing Initiative" program, Builder/Architect has for some time been Ll P"tton $:OO Piacenza at (412) 461-2188. And, if you contact Rhonda Brandon at (412) showing us Palladian windows, round would like to help save St. Mary's, please 323-1743. I P"rtner arches, shutters, dormers, quoirrs $2t0 tradi- send a donation to: Friends of St. Mary's; tional details adequately designed- once in St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish;605 Ninth ! Associate Open a while in such tossed Regent Theatre Success salads of build- Avenue; Munhall, PA 15120. - East Liberty Development, (ELDI) ing elements that all sense and coherence Inc. Contributions are tax=deductible are lacking. Proportion is unheard-ofand has overtopped its $1 million goal for Sharing the Strength that rehabilitation of the Regent Theatre, and simplicity is feared as making a house Call Eric Dickerson today at look cheap. At least, this must be the Comes from Succeeding: a New is looking forward to a fall 1994 opening. (412) 471-t808 for info¡mation on explanation, for the elements of these Program to Assist Single Female The rather Arabic-looking front of the Landmarks' corporâte membership houses are artificially multiplied, jiggled Prospective Homeowners 1914 movie house, a design of Harry Bair program and benefits. As a corporate in and out, up and down in a perpetual Motivation, determination, and fearless- in white, blue, and green terra cotta, has member, your company will help straining after picturesqueness. The ness: these are the attributes required by been a familiar, conspicuous, and in the results are pretentious without last few years melancholy sight in central Landmarks cteate fi.rture for self- single, female heads of households who ^ respect. want to purchase their own homes. To aid East Liberty; its reopening will be an Pittsburgh by preserving irs past. such women and other low- to moderate- omen as well as a thing good in itself. Nineteen institutional and corporate fun- "A copy ofthe official registratìoo and fìnanciat informr¡ion of income prospective home buyers, the thc Pirtsburgh Histoty & landmarks Foundarion may be ders are thanked by name in an ELDI obrrin

" E nviro nme ntal S olutions Erratum: the Sewickley Bridge for Historic Pittsbargh Neighborhoods" Dr. Frank R. Braden of Coraopolis, referring to a photo on page 5 of PHLF Saturday, February 5, 1994 News, September 1993, corrects us on Station Square Sheraton two points. He says that we are showing the north cantilever of the Sewickley Bridge, not the south (even though there t fün,äiium*ir"l! seems not to be much of a town in the nl yill receive a printed l0 invitation in January. background), and that one other finial lllilson & McCracken, Inc. from the bridge towers does survive, in 5255 Butler Street Pittsburgh, PA 15201 the grounds of the Coraopolis Memorial 14121784-1772 r-8Þ783-t772 Library. Thank you, Dr. Braden. Page l0 PHLF News . December 1993 Education News

Yeor-End Awards of Merit Chicago Architecture ( I 9 I 3) for a brief stop; then a regrouping at The Whitehall (c. 1905), where the Presentation and Lecture Foundation group listened to Martin Aurand, author Monday, December 6, 1993 8:00 p.m. Visits Pittsburgh of the forthcoming study of the architect, P&LE Room, Station Square Sheraton talk about Scheibler and his buildings. Gift by Albert Tannler On the buses and passing through East the year: I 5 Join us for the final event of In 1966, the Chicago Architecture End neighborhoods and Frick Park, all be individuals and organizations will Foundation (CAF) was founded by a had dried out just in time to disembark honored in an opening "Awards of Merit and view the Robert Frank House Since its founding ín 1964 as a non- group of preservationists determined to Presentation," followed by a lecture, Vy'alter and Marcel profit membership organization, Land- save the John J. Glessner House (1885- designed by Gropius "Down the Garden-History Path," by Dr. Breuer in 1939. The importance and marks has made a difference in the life of 87), the last of H. H. Richardson's build- Barry Hannegan. Dr. Hannegan, research quality the out- Pittsburgh. Our great accomplishments ings in Chicago. The orgatization pre- intrinsic of building associate at the Henry Clay Frick Fine weighed the discomfort. An emphatic have been to identify and save architectural vailed, and during the past 27 years Arts Department of the University of ascending and industrial landmarks, preserve historic Glessner House has been carefully crescendo in a day marked by Pittsburgh, will talk about the history of portion neighborhoods, educate the public regard- restored. Today the CAF operates two phrases concluded the Pittsburgh horticultural exploration, major historical the with a visit to Peter ing our history, and create Station Square. house museums and provides an exten- of tour styles of garden design, the development Berndtson's Usonian Steinberg House of Our work continues as vigorously as sive architectural tour program in of the small-scale American suburban ever, with the help of members' contribu- Chicago. 195 1. garden, the great American landscape tions. We have no governmental support, On October 1, 61 CAF members, led Y-t designers, and the history of garden and and depend on individual donations to by Ellen Haddigan assisted by Kelly H landscape design in the Pittsburgh area. many maintain our General Fund and our indi- Jones, came to Pittsburgh to devote I rom the comments of of the a later to vidual projects. Admission: Free to members almost a day-and-a-half to exploring the tour members and opportunity quietly chat with the tour leaders, it was Our program goals for 1994 are ambi- $5 non-members city's architecture with Landmarks, and tious, and your contribution to Landmarks' an additional day visiting Fallingwater. clear that if Pittsburgh's weather on this particular had General Fund is the means by which we Glessner House friends, docents, and day been somewhat sullen, Pittsburgh's (and the friendly can attain them. Please contribute now, and Welcome Portable staff members ranging in age from buildings - people who inhabit them) had worked help us keep working for the future of Pittsburgh Docents those in their 20s to two 9O-year-olds - "Vy'e Pittsburgh's past. came to Pittsburgh to experience the their magic spell. didn't expect Landmarks welcomes the following work of Richardson and V/right, learn thisl," I kept hearing. In Pittsburgh's just a ten- docents who are completing about Pittsburgh's architectural past, and Richardson buildings and in the work of course for Portable week training view its recent buildings. Since I was a his draughtsman and lieutenant Frank CONTRIBUTIONS Ray Pittsburgh: Cam Witherspoon, 26-year resident of Chicago and a some- Alden, our Chicago visitors discovered Vy'eber, Arlene to Landmarks' General Fund in 1994 McKeever, Jeanne time CAF member, these folks were in no siblings and descendants ofthe building Klacik, will help us: McNalley, Rita Martin, Maureen sense strangers to me. their organization has saved, restored, Dianne Voytko, Linda Lawler, Barbara Arriving mid-afternoon on Friday, and and now proudly maintains. They I advocate the preservation ofendangered These docents Madar, and Gene Gianni. determined to begin as soon as possible, admired Pittsburgh's vernacular 19th- landmarks; join Bennett, will now Bob Jacob, Bob the group was hustled into the Bessemer cantury commercial and residential build- presenting Portable I provide technical assistance and funding and Judy Mclntyre in Court Meeting Room for my opening ings, since far fewer numbers have sur- to area schools and communi- support through our Preservation Fund to Pittsburgh remarks. Then we began a bus and walk- vived in their home town, and they groups. Through artifacts and historic more than 30 neighborhood/community ty ing tour of the downtown a risky busi- enjoyed the exuberance and traditional groups are restoring historic properties; photographs, the that the docents tell story of ness given Pittsburgh's rush-hour- traffic. ornamentation of Osterling's [Jnion Trust Pittsburgh's life, from its birth in 1758 to with a I develop a master landscape plan for the Landmarks' docent Carol Lewis and I led Building nary moment of mod- present. interpretation, preservation, and restoration the the group past and through buildings ernist guilt. In the Scheibler buildings of the two-acre property around the historic designed by Chicago's Daniel Burnham; they saw parallels with the idiom of the Neville House in Collier Township; Pittsburgh's Longfellow, Alden & Prairie School. In the Steinberg House F. J. and Henry they experienced how an architect of the I offer educational programs such as Portable Harlow, Osterling, next generation could imaginatively use Píttsburgh, Pittsburgh Heritage, and the Hornbostel; and some of the wonderful Frank Lloyd V/right's post-Fallingwater Hands-On History summer institute, teacher 1 9th-century vernacular commercial inservices, and family workshops; buildings still to be found in the Triangle. vocabulary. Our more recent buildings, They experienced the Art Deco splendor the skyscrapers of downtown, introduced I organize the Landmarks library and describe of the Koppers Building, and learned them to structures designed by architec- historical collections so they can be our tural firms whose work is prominent in available for research purposes; about Pittsburgh's Art Deco secret the banquet room designed by Joseph Urban- Chicago and hence, were to them, the I publish major books, brochures, and PHLF in 1929 in the William Penn Hotel. It was work of old friends. News; a particular pleasure to introduce our visi- We hope CAF will consider øs old we are delighted they came, and I host tours and special events for the benefit tors to buildings ofthe second halfofthe friends; of our members and the public; 20th century: a visit to Harrison & we hope to see them again. Abramovitz' Alcoa Building (1953) had I retrieve endangered artifacts that will later been specifically requested, and there be displayed in the Riverwalk of Industrial On-Site History A¡tifacts at Station Square. was keen interest in the work of Skidmore, Owings & Menill, Philip On October I and9, Al Tannler and Johnson, and Kohn Pedersen Fox among Walter Kidney of Landmarks presented concluded with a "On-Site History: Pittsburgh's Vírginia Belho of the West All.egheny others. The Friday tour round-trip ride, a spectacular view ofthe Architecture" to 10 adults. The Thursday Enclosed is my year-end contribution of School District urote and. illustrated' ø city, and an explication of inner workings evening illustrated lecture and Saturday $ _to Landmarks' General Fund. book titled ooWhere ls the Gold in the at the Duquesne Heights Incline. morning walking tour, offered through Tria.ngle?." Name Golden Saturday's weather did not cooperate; Pitt's Informal Program, showed par- it rained virtually all day. Nonetheless, ticipants how to find the clues in Pitts- Address "Pittsburgh Heritage" Eliza Smith Brown of Landmarks Design burgh's architecture to discover how the in Review Associates, Architects, co-tour leader for city has changed and grown over the past the day, and I forged ahead. W'e began at 200 years. Twenty-one teachers from Southwestern Richardson's Courthouse, then traveled City State _ Zip Pennsylvania schools participated in the to his Emmanuel Church on the North 1993 "Pittsburgh Heritage" class offered Side, noting prominent structures both Contributions are tax-deductible. Please make by Landmarks through the Allegheny old and new along the way. A visit to checks payable to the Pittsburgh History & lntermediate Unit's summer in-service payment Calvary Methodist Church, a (damp) Landmarks Foundation and return program. This year's teachers spent eight with this form to: stroll through parts of Allegheny W'est, a days in July with class instructor Sue visit to a beautifully-restored private Mary Lu Denny Neff, learning about Pittsburgh's history home, and lunch at a restaurant in a Pittsburgh History & through lectures, slide shows, field trips restored Victorian house filled with peri- Landmarks Foundation and walking tours of the North Side, od antiques, warming fireplaces, and an General Fund downtown Pittsburgh, and McKees attentive staff, concluded the morning. One Station Square, Suite 450 Rocks. They also completed several pro- Pittsburgh, P A 15219-1 17 0 Despite the uncooperative weather, jects suitable for classroom use, such as Call for Tour Docents! spirits were high as we entered Oakland bridge-building, print-making, and land- Landmarks is seeking volunteer tour and toured sites in Schenley Farms, The docent trainees. Training sessions will scape design. Teachers found one of the Carnegie, the University of Pittsburgh, Thank you most enjoyable projects to be that of cre- be held on Mondays, January 3l through for and the Civic Center. Then on to ating "books" about Pittsburgh. April 18, 1994,from9:30 a.m. to 12:30 giving to Landmarks Sunnyledge, the McClelland family home "Pittsburgh Heritage" is offered every p.m. Docents conduct tours of Pittsburgh designed by Frank Alden in 1886. Forced and present slide shows featuring our summer as pafi of Landmarks' continuing "A copy of the official registration and financial information to forego any lengthy examination of the city's history and architecture. Ifyou are of the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation may effort to encourage teachers to be aware exterior, all gathered in the spacious inte- interested, please call Mary Lu Denny be obtained from the Pennsylvania Departrnent of State of the value of history as a resource to by free, Pennsylvania rior and learned about the building. On to (412) calling toll within I-800-732-0999. enrich the traditional classroom at 47 t-5808. Registration does not imply endorsement." (as required Frederick Scheibler' s Highland Towers by PA Act 202) curriculum. December 199.3 . PHLF Netu.s Page ll

PITTSBURCH ARC HITE CTIJRE : GTVE A MEMBE.RSHIP

On Porches Photos b¡ Karen Berchín 1n Waher C. Kid,ney LANDMARKS

Commissioner Pete Late in the summer, lntroduce your friends to the uorld Flaherty wrote to several people about of historic þreseruøtion ønd to tbe the social role that the front porch has uork of the Pitæburgh History dt had in this area, asking what could be Løndmørks Foundøtion. Since iæ done to encourage porch preservation. Landmarþs bas That is why, though the time of year may founding in ry64 seem bizarre, we decided to run a few been creøting a future for Pinsburgb images of Shadyside porches in being by preseraing its past. The goøIs of and in use, and a few scarred counte- our orgønizøtion are to: nances of places where front porches used to be. There is always a summer a Preserye architectural landmarks, ahead. historic neighborhoods, and industrial sites and artifacts in Right: In Shadyside there a,re uell- Allegheny Counry; kept porcheso but mo,ny hauefallen, uictims to chea.p remodelings a.nd a Create tours, lectures, publications, changes of custom. Here is a, properly- and educational programs featuring møinta.ined. porch in Coloniø.I Pla.ce, the history and architecture of the still as it uas in 1898. Pittsburgh region; and

o Continue the development of Station Square, the 52-acre riverfront site where Landmarks' principles of historic preservation, adaptive use, and urban planning are creating a lively attraction for Pittsburgh.

Support Landmarks; encourage your friends to join today.

Please send a gift membership to: Name

Address City

Aboae: Here is another house in ColoniøI Pla.ce as it is today. Aboae: This house of the 1900 period a.t 826 A¡nberson State _ Zíp _ Auenue used to ho,ue a three-bay porch. Phone

Name Address Here is a half- søtisfactory conxpro- City mise of the late 1930s: State _Zip semi-Late Georgiøn, semi-Greelt Reuiaal Phone conaersion of a once- porched Roma,nesque Total number of house. Minus the gift memberships unifuing effict of the x Szo.oo eacb porch, the openings seem though to drift Total payment in the u:aII. enclosed $ Aboae: When it was remoaed, the ga.p in the føce bríck where the porch roof met the ua.ll uas carefully fiIled. OnIy the fact Your name thøt the outer arches øre rusticated and the others clre not l,eads one to suspect the preuious existence of o, porch. (as it should appear on the gift announcement) Your address Porch Repairs: AssistarLce Auailable City State _Zip Hearing of Landmarks' interest in saving porches, Mulugetta Your phone Bimr, executive director of the Urban Redevelopment Authority, wrote to us of his belief in the architectural and social importance of the front porch, and sent us literature on the URA's loans and Clip andmail to: grants that could be applied to porch preservation. For informa- Mary Lu Denny tion: Urban Redevelopment Authority, 200 Ross Street, Pittsburgh History Ec Pittsburgh, PA 15219-2069. Ask for information on Home Landmarks Foundation Improvement Programs. One Station Square, Srri a5o Aboae: A blissful-Ioolting enclosure in Shadyside, with " Pittsburgh, P A r 5zr9-n7o porches and bo.y windows louingly tended. Qrz) 47r-58o8 Page 12 PHLF l,{ews . December 1993

The New Bridge (conrinuedrrom pase r)

in our history, and we are very grateful to Neal Holmes, the chairman of the board of Port Authority, William Millar, the executive director, and AI Biehler, the direc- tor of planning, for their commitment to a good working relationship. Their consultants, the engineers of Michael Baker and the architect Tasso Katselas, have also been congenial, cooperative, and imaginative associates. The most notable get-together was a lively confer- ence in early August that brought together engineers of Michael Baker, Jr., Inc.; officials of the Port Authority, PennDot, and the FHV/A; and a miscellany of others, including people from Landmarks and Landmarks Design Associates, master architects for Station Square. To us the results were promising. The others iillir acknowledged readily that the bridge had to be beautiful, ,/ ili,' that it and its approaches had to be treated as elements of the cityscape rather than as highway structures, and that ' the southern approach had to be so treated as to cause ,r[rrrrr,,r, the least possible harm to Station Square's new develop- ment and overall amenity. The way in which the others picked up on our suggestions, our corporate concerns as well as our more general aesthetic ones, was most grati- fying. Basically, we were all thinking the same way save on the desirability of a bridge in the first place. The Design Thus Far By early fall the structural type of the bridge was not fully established, though it seemed to narrow down to a through arch of the basket-handle type or a two- plane cable-stayed bridge with the cables in a fan con- The basket-handle arch in a photo showing its inapact on the uieta. The arched portal and, X-shaped meeting at figuration. Katselas produced an elaborate model of the the apex are To,sso Ko,tselas'ideø,s. bridge's environment, and models of every bridge type being considered so that they could be slipped into trians, and possibly cyclists. It will clear the river by place. With a miniature camera, positioned at different about" 42 feet as the Smithfield Street Bridge does heights close to the bridges, Katselas simulated the and cross Station- Square no more, we hope, than 25 feet- impacts of the various bridge types on views from the up, allowing clearance for the railroad but interfering as Sheraton and a proposed new Station Square hotel. little as possible with views from and through our devel- In principle, the cable-stay bridge was our first opment. Yet to be seriously examined, at this point, are choice, but as Katselas showed it the concrete towers means of mitigating the environmental effects of noise, were massive, view- fumes, and headlight glare in Station Square. Vy'e need to blocking structures on Are we really spending examine the possibility and desirability of traffic enclo- both sides ofthe river; a _- _ :-_ , -í^ _ _ ,-^ -:,-^ ) sure to lesser orgreater extent. LrLY-ì_ ^ ilLUr¿eJ-^- ^ -. ,rt LrIe"r- UeSr ii-rÈ!^ ieÇiìiieü^_ pÈiiraps ¿i-l South of the Station Square road will be a bus sta- even wider bridge than tion, just west of our existing parking garage. The bus possible Lt)cty on a otherwise needed, and station proposed by Katselas would create a portal motif the towers loomed above long-rønge basis, or that might be echoed in the lowermost braces of the Firstside and the Mount 'Washington bridge arch. Steel transverse arches would rise over the uill we be inuesting in hillside, and platforms and roadway of the elevated station, like a the would probably require The impøct on the aiew from ca.ble-stayed. bridge. massiue roadways roofless trainshed. Beneath would be concrete vaulting, cables on each side of uplighted. the bridge rather than a which will be in less Most of the buses will cross over Carson Street and single plane close to the turn right onto the old Pennsylvania Railroad right-of- demand, as years middle. way, heading in a westerly direction, then southward Investigation is still go by? past Sheraden and Ingram. The remaining traffic will going forward as to rise to the old \ù/abash Tunnel on a serpentining ramp on whether the towers can the south side of Carson Street, one way inbound morn- be made more slender and lower, and have only one ings, one way outbound thereafter. ë¡: plane of cables from each tower descending to the near- Accepting that a bridge will be built, we still can center of the bridge. /J hope for a structure that does the cityscape credit, that ,/ But if those results cannot be achieved, then it is detracts as little as possible from the Station Square probable that the new bridge will have a basket-handle environment, and that gives Station Square the positive J*-^"** through-arch main span. This will rise in concrete from benefit of a new access. the water's edge at either side and continue in steel from deck level, the arches converging at the apex. Ifthe deck A truss briclge. structure is deep and stiff- and cantilevering the side- However: walks can mask much of the depth the arches can be However: in addition to the aesthetic considerations made rather slender in absolute dimensions,- while paint- and the matter of impact on the land and buildings on ing them a dark, strong color we favor a reddish- each side of the river, a fundamental question is still not brown will slim them visually- still further. being addressed. The- arch bridge we first saw was that shown above, The whole busway project will result in an expendi- relatively light, low, and narrow. Any lengthening of the ture of at least $250 million tax dollars, all of this expen- arch span would heighten the arch, and any addition to diture merely to expedite the movement of cars in and the proposed three lanes and two walks would aggravate out of the city, with some funds for the Busway. (Work the tunnel effect beneath the bridge and further dwarf on and in connection with the Fort Pitt Bridge and a new Firstside, Station Square, and the Mt. V/ashington hill. interchange south of the Liberty Tubes will cost another We are willing to accept reluctantly the dimensions of $250 million.) the bridge shown here, but none greater. What if this kind of money were to be spent provid- The Viaduc d'Austerlitz in Pøris, buih in 1905 to In a typical basket-handle arch span, the two arches ing the necessary subsidies needed to create downtown carry the Mótro ouer the Seine. The steel arch is look in plan like shallow arcs touching at the apex. A housing, to reduce the tax load on downtown business, hinged. at deck leael a,nd crt the ctpex. variation proposed by Katselas, though, shows the and to provide a transit system that would tie downtown, halves intersecting each other in an X. There may be Oakland, North Side, and South Side more tightly and another possibility in a three-hinged arched bridge in conveniently together? Vy'e live in a time when the job Paris, which gives the effect of two asymmetrical curves base is declining in Pittsburgh (down2.8Vo as downtown or near-downtown presence. From this kind intersecting each other, in elevation, at three places a announced recently by the City), when more and more of investment, good retailing will follow, there will be graceful form that seemed, at one meeting, to intrigue- people can work for a company via computer out of an improvement in safety because more people will be both Baker's engineer and Katselas. their homes, and when the Environmental Protection on the streets, and we will have a lively and sophisti- The arch form is not fully satisfactory as regards Agency is ordering a reduction in the driving of automo- cated as well as an economically healthy city. Station Square's views, but the cable stays, with their biles into major cities. Are we really spending the Pouring our scant resources into roads that make it towers, would be worse: colossal concrete frames loom- money in the best possible way on a long-range basis, or easier to get out of town, beltways that make it easier to ing against the face of Mount Washington and the build- will we be investing in massive roadways which will be avoid downtown, and bridges that use up scarce river- ing fronts on Fort Pitt Boulevard. in less demand as years go by? front land that could be used for new development 'We Whatever the structural system, the bridge will enter at Landmarks continue to feel that the way to seems less satisfactory to us than investing in the exist- Station Square carrying Port Authority buses that was make downtown viable is to create more housing and ing fabric and institutions of our city to attract more resi- purpose - pedes- dents who will not need the fastest road out town. its original - high-occupancy vehicles, undergird our major cultural institutions that have a of