So, this was pretty cool...

So i come across this article today online. I saw the headline and I thought: huh, that sounds like what a buddy of mine worked on this summer. Sure enough, the article is laudatory to Bryan Woll, a fellow undergrad at Georgetown University.
One of the cruxes that the article focuses on is the creation of a Business Improvement District (BID) for the South Side--something that already exists Downtown and in Oakland. Personally, I am actually shocked to learn that one does not already exist. However, going forward as the possibility of some semblance of a city-county merger comes up, I see this as being the norm for quite many of the neighborhoods, townships, and boroughs of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area.
This article got me to thinking: If many of the suburbs are going to go along with an eventual merger, there is going to have to be some substantial amount of home rule, at least to begin. This includes local managing of neighborhood business districts, community centers and, um, SCHOOLS!

Just some food for thought on quite the "small-world moment" occasion.

Bridges to Somewhere

A cool article from Infrastructurist.com that my friend Carter sent me about a new, emerging form of bridge structuring started me thinking. As of right now, its cost is comparable to other similar forms of bridge...at least until you take into account that the new carbon fiber/concrete supports would create a bridge that has a lifespan 2 or 3 times longer than standard concrete and steel structuring.
Pittsburgh, as the city of bridges (more bridges found in Pgh metro area than elsewhere, would be wise to keep this new technology in mind as major access bridges need replaced >(cough, Cupple's Stadium bridge, cough)
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This is also something that might be an option as the "T-line" expands, possibly replacing the need..err..desire to dig A FREAKIN' TUNNEL UNDER THE RIVER!...ok, done.

Anyway, (caution, thought experiment)the North Shore Connector could lead to a possible extension to Neville Island. And then, who knows, the airport...I think it's not as crazy as it sounds...at least compared to the Airport-to-Downtown Maglev money pit. At least this idea would be a possible boost to both Neville Island and maybe McKees Rocks, although someone of better means would have to do the rough figures on that one.
Anyway, I just thought it was cool, plus some food for thought.

To begin anew...

Hey guys, after my girlfriend pointed out that I essentially use my facebook page as a blog, I figured I might as well go big with it. Anything that I would usually post on my facebook, it's going to be found here. Since my last failed attempt at this blog, I've found a new passion and a new direction for myself: Pittsburgh, the continued redevelopment of Pittsburgh and urban Redevelopment in general. If something interests you, please comment. If I'm wrong, please point that out. If you just disagree, I love the debate. To start off, I've created a blog roll of my frequently visited sites. I think they're worth checking out if you like cool ideas and the toils of local government.

Here goes...