This excerpt caught my attention:
“Every time UPMC or Highmark or Pitt or Carnegie Mellon expands, our real estate tax base shrinks,” Acklin said.
Here is the article:
http://triblive.com/local/allegheny/11699028-74/acklin-officials-county
OT - City's View on PITT's Expanding
- Thread starter 9nationalchampionships
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This excerpt caught my attention:
“Every time UPMC or Highmark or Pitt or Carnegie Mellon expands, our real estate tax base shrinks,” Acklin said.
Here is the article:
http://triblive.com/local/allegheny/11699028-74/acklin-officials-county
I get that....I am just saying what everyone whispers in the City/County Building is being said out loud
Pitt does a lot for the city that is never appreciated.
Another example is an article appearing in today's PPG "Pitt to move manufacturing center to Homewood facility from Harmar" by Kris Mamula.
"The University of Pittsburgh is helping breathe new life into a relic of Pittsburgh's industrial past by moving the university's manufacturing help center to Homewood from Harmar. Etc."
Hey mayor do you think you can help Pitt close Bigelow Blvd. by the Cathedral for Greenspace and Bike Lanes. Your help is much appreciated.
UPMC also says how did you like our $100 million contribution for the Pittsburgh Promise and deciding to locate the World Class UPMC Childrens Hospital within the city limits with all those jobs.
HAIL TO PITT!!!!
Another example is an article appearing in today's PPG "Pitt to move manufacturing center to Homewood facility from Harmar" by Kris Mamula.
"The University of Pittsburgh is helping breathe new life into a relic of Pittsburgh's industrial past by moving the university's manufacturing help center to Homewood from Harmar. Etc."
Hey mayor do you think you can help Pitt close Bigelow Blvd. by the Cathedral for Greenspace and Bike Lanes. Your help is much appreciated.
UPMC also says how did you like our $100 million contribution for the Pittsburgh Promise and deciding to locate the World Class UPMC Childrens Hospital within the city limits with all those jobs.
HAIL TO PITT!!!!
Pitt could focus expansion elsewhere. Threaten to move a school or two to Southepointe and see if their tune changes. Its amazing our officials say thia kind of thing publically when Pitt and CMU are keystones of this region's economy.
What has Peduto done so far for Pitt? Honest question.
What has Peduto done so far for Pitt? Honest question.
Agree, Pitt should have contacted Butler, Beaver or Washington County administrators to see if they would be interested in being home for UPMC World Class Childrens Hospital which will provide area jobs for the next 75 years or more. Lots of open space and route 79 access.
HAIL TO PITT!!!!
HAIL TO PITT!!!!
Pitt and UPMC haven't exactly taken high end real estate (at the time of the expansion) in many of their expansions within the city limits. I would be interested to see how much the city has grossed in the worker city occupancy tax versus the prior real estate taxes in those areas. To say UPMC/PItt/CMU growth did not factor into the Lawrenceville/East Liberty/Hot Metal Bridge area revitalizations and resulting tax boom for the city is hugely naive. If I could go back in time and buy bargain, run-down, vacant lots in those exact areas 15-20 years ago, I would be a young, retired millionaire right now.
There is a big difference though, between the city giving up some tax income for something important like dorms, or a research building, as opposed to having half of South Oakland leveled for a stadium and parking. This is why a stadium is such a non starter.
Moving schools there wouldn't do anything but hurt Pitt.
There's hardly been any substantial properties removed from the tax rolls in the last 30 years. It is such a bs, urban myth, and it isn't even true when there are commercial or for profit ventures placed in these locations by these institutions.
CMU, Carlow, Chatham, Duquesne, Pitt, Allegheny, and UPMC should just cut off their voluntary PILOTs.
As far as Pitt is concerned, Peduto has been a step up from the jackhole that was his predecessor.
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Pitt has always put its limited land to good use. Can't always say the same for the city and county governments.
First off, people forget the history that Pitt was actually recruited by the city to move to Oakland back in the early 20th century in order to build up the Oakland civic district. It had been in separate Allegheny City which later became the North Side, but Pitt was actively recruited to relocate to Oakland.
Pitt has actually given away plenty of land. It gave away most of the land UPMC sits on to entice Presby, Children's, Ear & Eye, etc to move there to build up the medical center. Same with the VA. It created UPMC and spun it off, arguably the most successful spin-off in academic history.
Pitt actually gave the city a long strip of land that was the Cathedral lawn along 5th Avenue so the city could widen 5th: big mistake.
Pitt also created the public street that is Roberto Clemente Drive when it took over Forbes Field. Probably another mistake. It also expanded Sennot Street and gave that to the city. Both generate revenue from meters for the city. Personally, I think Pitt should ask for Roberto Clemente Drive back.
Almost everything Pitt has taken over in the last 40 years has been properties that weren't on the tax rolls to begin with; buildings like University Club, Masonic Temple, YMHA or the vacant site that had the former Oak Hill public housing complex. Same with UPMC, and every one seems to forget that UPMC has plenty of for-profit subsidiaries that pay full taxes.
I see most of the expansion obliterating low income housing ruined by no tax tenants or slum like apartment buildings run by scum bag tax scofflaw landlords.
Can you imagine what the city would look like without Pitt & CMU!
Hey Peduto. - take the jobs and annex Wilkinsburg and Mt Oliver.
Hey Peduto. - take the jobs and annex Wilkinsburg and Mt Oliver.
LOL
Pitt and CMU are the only reason Pittsburgh isn't Shittsburgh.
The absolutely only reason.
Sometimes I wish universities could relocate like corporations so Pittsburgh could rot.
Pitt and CMU are the only reason Pittsburgh isn't Shittsburgh.
The absolutely only reason.
Sometimes I wish universities could relocate like corporations so Pittsburgh could rot.
They are Basically asking Pitt for a handout...if anything, Pitt increased the tax base on surrounding properties that have been replaced by businesses and private housing that have taken hold to a accomodate the increase in student enrollment.
If the city is losing tax base, it is due to years of tax increases and tax and spend policies that have driven residents to the suburbs. All those people leaving the city have driven down real estate values on homes. Sure some neighborhoods are doing good, but for the most part...the city has been on a downward spiral since the 60s.
If it wasn't For Pitt and CMU, the city of Pittsburgh would be Youngstown Ohio.
If the city is losing tax base, it is due to years of tax increases and tax and spend policies that have driven residents to the suburbs. All those people leaving the city have driven down real estate values on homes. Sure some neighborhoods are doing good, but for the most part...the city has been on a downward spiral since the 60s.
If it wasn't For Pitt and CMU, the city of Pittsburgh would be Youngstown Ohio.
I guess if we didn't have USS, PPG, Alcoa, PNC, ATI, American Eagle, Federated Investors, .... we could be Youngstown too. I get Pitt/UPMC are the leading employers at this time. Actually people are moving back to the city. My house has increased in value very nicely.
No, people are moving to certain parts of the city...overall the population growth is flat. The city is a lot more than Lawrenceville, Oakland and the Southside.
The city has always had U S Steel, Alcoa, PPG, ATI, the problem is, it also used to have Mellon Bank, Westinghouse, Heinz, Rockwell, National Steel and Gulf Oil. A company like American Eagle can't compare to what one of those companies brought in as far as headquarters personnel.
My point is, companies like Google, Facebook, IBM and other tech companies have increased their footprint and along with the increase of the healthcare industry is basically due to Pitt and CMU. Yet the city wants to blame them for their woes.
Dear Paco -
Good call on Alcoa, but unless America Eagle is playing games with the small distribution center they used to operate out in Warrendale (citing it as corporate HQ), they moved their business center to the S'ous Side more than a decade ago.
Good call on Alcoa, but unless America Eagle is playing games with the small distribution center they used to operate out in Warrendale (citing it as corporate HQ), they moved their business center to the S'ous Side more than a decade ago.
The 20 largest employers in the Pittsburgh region (obviously these are not all in the city) are as follows according to the July, 2015 story by the Pittsburgh Business Times:
1. UPMC 43,000
2. Highmark 22,000
3. U.S. Government 17,347
4. Commonwealth of PA 12,822
5. Pitt 12,386
6. Giant Eagle 10,742
7. BNY Mellon 7,000
8. County of Allegheny 6,750
9. Wal-Mart 6,200
10. Eat'n Park 5,614
11. Westinghouse 5,600
12. USS 5,121
13. CMU 4,663
14. Excela Heath 4,658
15. Pittsburgh Public Schools 3,899
16. Verizon 3,300
17. City of Pittsburgh 3,082
18. Heritage Valley Health System 3,055
19. FedEx 3,000
20. ATI 2,900
1. UPMC 43,000
2. Highmark 22,000
3. U.S. Government 17,347
4. Commonwealth of PA 12,822
5. Pitt 12,386
6. Giant Eagle 10,742
7. BNY Mellon 7,000
8. County of Allegheny 6,750
9. Wal-Mart 6,200
10. Eat'n Park 5,614
11. Westinghouse 5,600
12. USS 5,121
13. CMU 4,663
14. Excela Heath 4,658
15. Pittsburgh Public Schools 3,899
16. Verizon 3,300
17. City of Pittsburgh 3,082
18. Heritage Valley Health System 3,055
19. FedEx 3,000
20. ATI 2,900
You are right about American Eagle. I was using dated Wikipedia information.
Good, Pitt can build a stadium at Schenley Park and open it to the public at times. There is their contribution for parks. 
You're all turning on each other because you are missing the issue. Old and continuing to decline population.
True...but he's conveniently leaving out that when Pitt expands, it usually means more jobs.
And besides, Pitt and CMU saved Pittsburgh. If it weren't for Pitt and CMU, Pittsburgh might just be Detroit II.....
Here is the full quote:
"“Every time UPMC or Highmark or Pitt or Carnegie Mellon expands, our real estate tax base shrinks,” Acklin said. “That doesn't mean that we don't encourage expansion, job growth and the new economy and people coming here because of the innovation that's happening, but it is a reality that we have to address."
He didn't leave anything out, the quote was taken out of context. The City and County need property tax revenue to pay for services like police and fire protection, roads, etc, and they have been trying to work out an agreement with the big non-profits to compensate for their exemption from those taxes. That was the whole point of the article.
Don't mind paying for convenience, all my Pitt teams are 15 minutes away.
His quote is BS. When Pitt or UPMC take over other tax exempt properties, there is no shrinkage. They're a scape goat. What properties has Pitt taken off the tax rolls the last 40 years? Does the city subsidize Pitt's police department which patrols wide swaths of city streets? Who subsidizes almost 100% of the community and improvement projects for city infrastructure done around Oakland?
If I was Pitt, I tell them to shove their PILOTs as long as all Pitt is getting in return is more turning of the screws.
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He is obviously not talking about other tax-exempt properties that Pitt and UPMC purchase. And he is also talking about CMU and Highmark as well.
This is not some anti-Pitt notion on the part of City officials. They have to provide the infrastructure for all of these non-profits, and all of their employees. What is the fair share of these costs that these billion-dollar institutions should contribute - that is the question.
Well what are the non-tax exempt properties is he talking about, huh?
The "fair share" is $0. These non-profit's missions aren't to solve the city's inability to fund its bloated, union-driven payroll and pension funds. And they all voluntarily dump millions into the city subsiding all sorts of services and projects that they don't in any way legally need to do. "Fair share" is a bullshit term thrown around by those looking to circumnavigate long-existing rules and laws in order to pressure others into solving their problems for them.
If the city wants more of Pitt's limited fiscal resources, largely obtained on the backs of over-debted students and well worn research scientists, I know a couple of buildings and streets it would gladly overpay for without an iota of change to the property tax rolls.
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I was referring to the added tax dollars for politicians to spend but yeah, convenience for you is really cool. We have talked about moving to the city after our youngest is out of the house.
Okay...got it. My opinion is that because Pitt/UPMC (and CMU) have been so vital to Pittsburgh's re-birth, growth, and...need I say "image" and "reputation"?.....it's a two-way street: the city should be working more to help these pillars-of-our-community to achieve what's in their best interest. And that might start with the greening of Bigelow Blvd between Fifth and Forbes Avenues.
I don't think that it's the least bit of hyperbole to state that what's good for the "three-headed monster" of Pitt/UPMC and CMU is also good for not just Pittsburgh specifically, but Western PA in general. The "monster" seems to know what they're doing....the city should jump on-board their train and not be a hinderance to their progress. So when they're talking about "it's a reality that we have to address", that's not-too-subtle code for: we want you to pay more in taxes.
Nothing like biting the hand that not only feeds you, but gave you your re-birth.
We struggle to hire AD's and basketball coaches; I don't even want to think about the process that we'd go through in the hiring of a pope.
