I was in Oakland this weekend and had a few questions and comments.

[mdpitt]

I rode the new Elevators and they are spectacular in the Cathedral of Learning. New Cars that are very smooth and Fast. The Doors are made to last 80 years and you will like the imprints on the metal. The computer system is dummy proof and seamless. What an improvement and I went there when there were surprisingly a lot of people riding.

The lawn between Heinz Chapel and Cathedral looks like it is being raised and rebuilt with drainage. Is this going to be grass? Artificial Turf would honestly be an option with the use but if it's grass, it sure looks like it's being done correctly.

Schenly High School looks like an asbestos company might be there now to remedy situation. What's up with the property right now?

The whole Block between Meyran and Oakland looks like it's under construction. Is this cosmetic or something else?

I went to Mazeroski Field. Nice backstop and they have added a few benches and posts that you should discover that will be interesting to you. Boy is that baseball field a wasted opportunity to do something useful. What a view of the Cathedral of Learning from Home Plate.

I also went inside Frick Fine Arts. What a gem that is that I have forgotten about. I encourage you to walk in, look at the Art and go to the Garden and Fountain inside surrounded by the building. I'm not sure if you could have a small wedding there but it would be the ultimate intimate setting.

I was reminded of how much of a World Class Gem Oakland is !

There were a couple of new Nationality Rooms under Construction and a Korean Room that sure smelled and looked like it was just finished.

I'm not sure I have ever bumped into so many people in Pennsylvania that were obvious foreign travelers between walking campus, Cathedral of Learning and Carnegie Museum.

There was also a large Group from the US Golf Association in town for the US Open and the place they chose to go to was The Cathedral of Learning. None of them were from Pennsylvania. I struck up a Conversation out front because I'm a Golf Fan and the one guy from California had his neck cocked back looking straight up to the sky and said " what the heck is this building?" I told him I was a graduate and this is where we go to class. I let him know where to go inside and told him to go to the 36th floor and look for the Church Pews at Oakmont and pointed in the direction to look.

Be proud of the place that draws many people from very far away.

 

[infinitypanther]

The whole Block between Meyran and Oakland looks like it's under construction. Is this cosmetic or something else?

UPMC is refurbishing the Iroquois Building (which is between Meyran and Atwood). Should look really nice when it's complete.

The Skyvue apartment building is also building going up between Halket and Craft on Forbes. Supposed to be close to 400 units. There are also plans for more development in that area.

The entry into campus on Forbes is going to look very different in a few years.

 

[pitt-girl]

I rode the new Elevators and they are spectacular in the Cathedral of Learning. New Cars that are very smooth and Fast. The Doors are made to last 80 years and you will like the imprints on the metal. The computer system is dummy proof and seamless. What an improvement and I went there when there were surprisingly a lot of people riding.

The lawn between Heinz Chapel and Cathedral looks like it is being raised and rebuilt with drainage. Is this going to be grass? Artificial Turf would honestly be an option with the use but if it's grass, it sure looks like it's being done correctly.

Schenly High School looks like an asbestos company might be there now to remedy situation. What's up with the property right now?

The whole Block between Meyran and Oakland looks like it's under construction. Is this cosmetic or something else?

I went to Mazeroski Field. Nice backstop and they have added a few benches and posts that you should discover that will be interesting to you. Boy is that baseball field a wasted opportunity to do something useful. What a view of the Cathedral of Learning from Home Plate.

I also went inside Frick Fine Arts. What a gem that is that I have forgotten about. I encourage you to walk in, look at the Art and go to the Garden and Fountain inside surrounded by the building. I'm not sure if you could have a small wedding there but it would be the ultimate intimate setting.

I was reminded of how much of a World Class Gem Oakland is !

There were a couple of new Nationality Rooms under Construction and a Korean Room that sure smelled and looked like it was just finished.

I'm not sure I have ever bumped into so many people in Pennsylvania that were obvious foreign travelers between walking campus, Cathedral of Learning and Carnegie Museum.

There was also a large Group from the US Golf Association in town for the US Open and the place they chose to go to was The Cathedral of Learning. None of them were from Pennsylvania. I struck up a Conversation out front because I'm a Golf Fan and the one guy from California had his neck cocked back looking straight up to the sky and said " what the heck is this building?" I told him I was a graduate and this is where we go to class. I let him know where to go inside and told him to go to the 36th floor and look for the Church Pews at Oakmont and pointed in the direction to look.

Be proud of the place that draws many people from very far away.

Looking for the Church Pews - nice touch, mdpitt.

 

[CrazyPaco]

I rode the new Elevators and they are spectacular in the Cathedral of Learning. New Cars that are very smooth and Fast. The Doors are made to last 80 years and you will like the imprints on the metal. The computer system is dummy proof and seamless. What an improvement and I went there when there were surprisingly a lot of people riding.

The lawn between Heinz Chapel and Cathedral looks like it is being raised and rebuilt with drainage. Is this going to be grass? Artificial Turf would honestly be an option with the use but if it's grass, it sure looks like it's being done correctly.

Schenly High School looks like an asbestos company might be there now to remedy situation. What's up with the property right now?

The whole Block between Meyran and Oakland looks like it's under construction. Is this cosmetic or something else?

I went to Mazeroski Field. Nice backstop and they have added a few benches and posts that you should discover that will be interesting to you. Boy is that baseball field a wasted opportunity to do something useful. What a view of the Cathedral of Learning from Home Plate.

I also went inside Frick Fine Arts. What a gem that is that I have forgotten about. I encourage you to walk in, look at the Art and go to the Garden and Fountain inside surrounded by the building. I'm not sure if you could have a small wedding there but it would be the ultimate intimate setting.

I was reminded of how much of a World Class Gem Oakland is !

There were a couple of new Nationality Rooms under Construction and a Korean Room that sure smelled and looked like it was just finished.

I'm not sure I have ever bumped into so many people in Pennsylvania that were obvious foreign travelers between walking campus, Cathedral of Learning and Carnegie Museum.

There was also a large Group from the US Golf Association in town for the US Open and the place they chose to go to was The Cathedral of Learning. None of them were from Pennsylvania. I struck up a Conversation out front because I'm a Golf Fan and the one guy from California had his neck cocked back looking straight up to the sky and said " what the heck is this building?" I told him I was a graduate and this is where we go to class. I let him know where to go inside and told him to go to the 36th floor and look for the Church Pews at Oakmont and pointed in the direction to look.

Be proud of the place that draws many people from very far away.

Yes, Cathedral Lawn is getting new turf (real not artificial) and a drainage system will be installed underneath. The goal is to keep the large chunks that get worn out every year from occurring. They'll also be growing replacement grass to install immediately after large events like pep rallies.

They botched a chance to make the outer Cathedral elevator doors match the original Charles Klauder design, which were to be quite ornate (at least in the Commons Room).

Korea just opened this past year. Philippines and Danish are up next. Iraq on deck.

Schenley High was purchased by a Philly developer with plans to turn it into condos (I believe condos, not rentals).

 

[mdpitt]

Yes, Cathedral Lawn is getting new turf (real not artificial) and a drainage system will be installed underneath. The goal is to keep the large chunks that get worn out every year from occurring. They'll also be growing replacement grass to install immediately after large events like pep rallies.

They botched a chance to make the outer Cathedral elevator doors match the original Charles Klauder design, which were to be quite ornate (at least in the Commons Room).

Korea just opened this past year. Philippines and Danish are up next. Iraq on deck.

Schenley High was purchased by a Philly developer with plans to turn it into condos (I believe condos, not rentals).

I still liked the doors as they are understated in a good way. What an improvement in Cathedral transportation.

 

[Swervin27]

Do students still take elevators from ground floor to level 1? Nothing irritates me more. I'm 15 minutes late for a 50 minute class and dude takes elevator up one flight.

 

[OH Pete]

Do students still take elevators from ground floor to level 1? Nothing irritates me more. I'm 15 minutes late for a 50 minute class and dude takes elevator up one flight.

I'd be more concerned about my ability to manage my time if I were you.

 

[Swervin27]

I'd be more concerned about my ability to manage my time if I were you.

LOL, hilarious.. Yes, good call. This was my college days so I'm a tad bit better with my punctuality, but not much..

 

[bwh05]

I went to Mazeroski Field. Nice backstop and they have added a few benches and posts that you should discover that will be interesting to you. Boy is that baseball field a wasted opportunity to do something useful. What a view of the Cathedral of Learning from Home Plate.

The plan several years ago (prior to the PSC) was for Pitt to play softball here. Unfortunately, our administration botched this. I know, I know, big shocker. It would have been a really cool setting, but I guess you can argue that it worked out in the end anyway.

I'm not sure I have ever bumped into so many people in Pennsylvania that were obvious foreign travelers between walking campus, Cathedral of Learning and Carnegie Museum.

Foreigners???? Nonsense, Oakland has no diversity!!!!

Be proud of the place that draws many people from very far away.[/QUOTE]

^^^^This^^^^

 

[OH Pete]

The plan several years ago (prior to the PSC) was for Pitt to play softball here. Unfortunately, our administration botched this. I know, I know, big shocker. It would have been a really cool setting, but I guess you can argue that it worked out in the end anyway.

Reall? It doesn't seem big enough at all. They would have to encroach on the fountain. I used to play pick up softball there. Most of us hit home runs a couple times per game. Any field where I can go yard is way too small because I truly suck at softball.

 

[Swervin27]

The girls softball team used to play on that field, if I am not mistaken.. Does anyone know what the field is used for now? Is there some sort of little league rec games there now or something?

 

[mdpitt]

Reall? It doesn't seem big enough at all. They would have to encroach on the fountain. I used to play pick up softball there. Most of us hit home runs a couple times per game. Any field where I can go yard is way too small because I truly suck at softball.

I was thinking just flat grass blending with surroundings to toss a frisbee, sit in sun, etc... It's so small a 10 year old would blast a baseball over the fence. It's a nice park if field was removed.

 

[bwh05]

Well what I meant was we were going to do a renovation of it to meet NCAA standards, and the outfield dimensions for softball are between 200-225 feet or thereabouts.

 

[CrazyPaco]

I went to Mazeroski Field. Nice backstop and they have added a few benches and posts that you should discover that will be interesting to you. Boy is that baseball field a wasted opportunity to do something useful. What a view of the Cathedral of Learning from Home Plate.

The plan several years ago (prior to the PSC) was for Pitt to play softball here. Unfortunately, our administration botched this. I know, I know, big shocker. It would have been a really cool setting, but I guess you can argue that it worked out in the end anyway.

I'm not sure I have ever bumped into so many people in Pennsylvania that were obvious foreign travelers between walking campus, Cathedral of Learning and Carnegie Museum.

Foreigners???? Nonsense, Oakland has no diversity!!!!

Be proud of the place that draws many people from very far away.

Had nothing to do with the prior administration botching anything. City and Parks wouldn't budge on giving Pitt priority access to the field for games and practices, despite Pitt assuming 100% maintainance and upgrade costs, and allowing public access when Pitt softball wasn't using it.

 

[Swervin27]

Had nothing to do with the prior administration botching anything. City and Parks wouldn't budge on giving Pitt priority acess to the field for games and practices, despite Pitt assuming 100% maintainance and upgrade costs, and allowing public access when Pitt softball wasn't using it.

I think a mistake a lot of us make with these assumptions, myself absolutely included, is that we are under the false allusion that the land in Oakland is under the university's ownership.. I basically believe, or used to believe, that the land next to, between, and around university buildings is something that pitt owns.. Paco points out this error and to be honest, it's kind of frustrating there is so much bureaucracy within the Oakland area.. I guess that's the price you pay for having a school within city limits..

 

[big marty]

I love Oakland. Its vibrant and happening. It keeps getting better.

 

[TIGER-PAUL]

I remember the city, yet again, balking when Pitt proposed the softball thing.
Had to do with details of remaining open when no games scheduled I think.

 

[bwh05]

I remember the city, yet again, balking when Pitt proposed the softball thing.
Had to do with details of remaining open when no games scheduled I think.

Trust me, it wasn't handled well. That's all I'll say about it.

 

[Swervin27]

If Pitt has so much opposition within local govt, and I ask this seriously... How were they able to obtain the land behind trees to build the baseball and softball fields? They didn't own that land prior, did they? It was projects back there from what I remember.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

If Pitt has so much opposition within local govt, and I ask this seriously... How were they able to obtain the land behind trees to build the baseball and softball fields? They didn't own that land prior, did they? It was projects back there from what I remember.

They fought several local politicians long and hard for a very long time. In the end, Pitt agreed to pay the City for things that Pitt has nothing to do with in order to get to pay for the land that they wanted.

 

[CrazyPaco]

Trust me, it wasn't handled well. That's all I'll say about it.

Had zero to do with the prior administration "not handling things well." Zero.

This was way back in 1999 to 2001. Pitt was negotiating this for a couple years. Per the original bequest of Mary Schenley, the city would not budge on its demand that it stay open to the public and would not give Pitt priority access, particular for non-games. You can't run a D1 softball program with a situation like that, particularly when it would have had to use it for practice essentially year round, and Pitt withdrew its proposal to lease/renovate. Pitt would have been hamstrung with what it could change all the time too. There comes a time when you have to cut your loses and move on, particularly when you are contemplating putting a large chunk of money into something when you don't have many large chunks of money.

Similar conditions are in place for keeping Frick Fine Art's galleries open to the public, which they are, because the building is on park land. But it is kind of easy to do because most art galleries are open to the public.

More recently, when Pitt was paying for a large chunk of the Schenley Plaza renovation, the city/Parks also prevented Pitt's proposal to close Schenley Drive between Hillman and Schenley Plaza (thus linking them) because, and this is a near but not exact quote, it was concerned with the Plaza being taken over by Pitt students.

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

I love Oakland. Its vibrant and happening. It keeps getting better.

I'm staying there this weekend.

 

[Swervin27]

Had zero to do with the prior administration "not handling things well." Zero.

This was way back in 1999 to 2001. Pitt was negotiating this for a couple years. Per the original bequest of Mary Schenley, the city would not budge on its demand that it stay open to the public and would not give Pitt priority access, particular for non-games. You can't run a D1 softball program with a situation like that, particularly when it would have had to use it for practice essentially year round, and Pitt withdrew its proposal to lease/renovate. Pitt would have been hamstrung with what it could change all the time too. There comes a time when you have to cut your loses and move on, particularly when you are contemplating putting a large chunk of money into something when you don't have many large chunks of money.

Similar conditions are in place for keeping Frick Fine Art's galleries open to the public, which they are, because the building is on park land. But it is kind of easy to do because most art galleries are open to the public.

More recently, when Pitt was paying for a large chunk of the Schenley Plaza renovation, the city/Parks also prevented Pitt's proposal to close Schenley Drive between Hillman and Schenley Plaza (thus linking them) because, and this is a near but not exact quote, it was concerned with the Plaza being taken over by Pitt students.

Paco, I'd be curious to hear your opinion on the philanthropic (is that a word) donation of land to the city by MS and the deal that it never be sold, specific to the university's footprint in oakland? Good, bad, does it hamstring Pitt, if so, is that really a bad thing? is it a good thing that this land be reserved for park status, not to be converted into something that could be considered less than ideal?

 

[bwh05]

Had zero to do with the prior administration "not handling things well." Zero.

This was way back in 1999 to 2001. Pitt was negotiating this for a couple years. Per the original bequest of Mary Schenley, the city would not budge on its demand that it stay open to the public and would not give Pitt priority access, particular for non-games. You can't run a D1 softball program with a situation like that, particularly when it would have had to use it for practice essentially year round, and Pitt withdrew its proposal to lease/renovate. Pitt would have been hamstrung with what it could change all the time too. There comes a time when you have to cut your loses and move on, particularly when you are contemplating putting a large chunk of money into something when you don't have many large chunks of money.

Similar conditions are in place for keeping Frick Fine Art's galleries open to the public, which they are, because the building is on park land. But it is kind of easy to do because most art galleries are open to the public.

More recently, when Pitt was paying for a large chunk of the Schenley Plaza renovation, the city/Parks also prevented Pitt's proposal to close Schenley Drive between Hillman and Schenley Plaza (thus linking them) because, and this is a near but not exact quote, it was concerned with the Plaza being taken over by Pitt students.

Fell free to think whatever you want, I know the story directly from the people involved. It could have and should have got done. As I said earlier, who really cares because it worked out in the end just fine.