Wherever you live now and whatever you do, you obviously know very little about Pittsburgh. That's too bad because of all the cities you mentioned that you supposedly lived in, Pittsburgh is better than all of them in so many ways. And more and more people from outside the area are beginning to understand that now.
OT: Great article on Pittsburgh from Philly Magazine
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Wherever you live now and whatever you do, you obviously know very little about Pittsburgh. That's too bad because of all the cities you mentioned that you supposedly lived in, Pittsburgh is better than all of them in so many ways. And more and more people from outside the area are beginning to understand that now.
Look, I'll say it again. I love Pittsburgh, but let's get real. Net population loss is taking its toll. Glad you believe 'da Burgh is "better" than all the places I lived. That's fine. However, the demographic trends in Pittsburgh compared to those cities do not measure up well.
Problem is, not enough of them are staying in Pittsburgh. I'm not sure how you reverse that.
I know I loved my time in Pittsburgh and I am quick to correct people who still think its a depressed former steel town, but Pittsburgh definitely has more of a midwest vibe and its not close to anything. That's not a knock on it, its just not what some people prefer.
Wrong. That trend has reversed. If you knew anything about Pittsburgh or were here, you'd know better. More and more graduates are now staying in Pittsburgh and more people are living in downtown Pittsburgh than ever before. Why? Because we have the jobs here that new graduates want and that pay pretty well. Then if you take the Pittsburgh metropolitan area as part of this, the region is growing.
But we don't need to apologize or explain anything to anyone who doesn't believe it. We have the facts and you're wrong about your assumptions.
Portland and Seattle- land of left wing wackos and anarchists.
BTW, I've been to most of the places you mentioned and not just on one occasion. For the most part, they're quite a bit less desirable to live in and to work in than Pittsburgh for numerous reasons. Pittsburgh has quite a bit more to offer than any of those cities. And you can actually afford to live here. And we have one of the top 2 or 3 medical centers here in the country and one of the best in the world. And the list goes on and on and on.
That is true, but the city's population is essentially flat. It is not gaining people at the rate that it needs to get to a critical mass it really needs to take off....and the larger region is still losing people.
Essentially, more people are staying and even migrating in, but that isn't outpacing the rate of death. Gaining population is still a key area that needs to be worked on. So is public transportation.
BTW, I've thought for a long time, and now only more so that August Wilson is becoming a more popularly recognized legend in death and tourism to Pittsburgh is increasing, that the August Wilson Center and Pittsburgh should continually stage, by some company or other, a production of one of his plays so that one would always be able to catch a production of at least one of his plays when one visits the city. Tickets could also be offered as a package with a tour of the Hill and other African American sites of interest including stops along the underground railroad and the heritage of Negro League baseball in the city. As a tourist draw, I think that could be a first rate attraction.
I also hope the Beer Museum actually happens and is able to be tied together with brewery and/or local distillery tours.
I also hope the Beer Museum actually happens and is able to be tied together with brewery and/or local distillery tours.
Not sure about the population argument, but it is a fact more and more people are living in downtown Pittsburgh. In fact, we're strongly looking into buying something down there or in Lawrenceville ourselves. Anyone who says Pittsburgh hasn't changed dramatically or that this isn't a growing, vital city are just plain mis-informed.
http://triblive.com/business/headlines/3780438-74/downtown-apartments-pittsburgh
Let's not get carried away on desirability. Generally, places like Pittsburgh are cheaper to live because they are less desirable than more expenses cities. That isn't to say it isn't a good value for the money. It is. But saying tings like "top 3 hospital system" and "more to offer" is g a little much.
No question Pittsburgh has changed, but facts are facts. City and region as a whole are not growing, but shrinking. Is it "change" for the better? That's subjective.
But of course one politician has ensured that the mills and mines are coming back - so no worries (just funnin'), mind u
)
It does. It is a product of the Rust Belt for sure. But it is definitely a better place than San Jose, where cost of living is ridiculous for just sprawl.
Look, there will be swings and changes as the demographics change. But if you follow US history, and you haven't obviously, you will know that almost all of the big population growths involved with large immigration numbers. Pittsburgh had this in the early 1900's. Pittsburgh does not need to have 5 million people with a +100% population increase as some kind of verification that is a good place to live.
Totally agree on your immigration point. I'm old enough to remember when New Ken was a de facto little Syria, there were real Polish people who lived in Polish Hill and Italians lived in Bloomfield!
Maybe. Maybe more. I don't know if you get how big Wilson's plays are getting. Everywhere I've lived they're regularly being staged by different companies.
Tying this to present day, most immigration is coming from Mexico and Latin America. I do believe of the 25 largest metro areas, Pittsburgh is dead last in this population group. Hence....... On a good note, there are some real deal taco trucks starting to pop up around here.
Great playwright and I am all for celebrating his work, but that isn't going to drive tourism from out of towners. It certainly isn't going to be a "1st rate" driver.
Good grief! We need immigrants (legal, undocumented, purple) from anywhere and everywhere!
In large enough numbers to make a difference? Unique music, sports, theme parks, conferences, historical attractions of significance, etc. I mean, you can't honestly think that would really move the needle, do you? Heck, as you say, it isn't like it is a chore to find a production, so what makes the Pittsburgh location even stand out? You are essentially talking about attracting an extremely niche (people who travel for the arts outside of the hubs) market, and then further targeting an even smaller niche (people who actually will travel for specific plays/playwrights of yesteryear) market, and then further targeting an even smaller niche (people who would fall into the first two categories and then choose Wilson) market to move your needle. Plus, without dedicated companies, you are essentially suggesting a quality that is indeterminable.
It is a great suggestion and surprising if it already isn't happening on a very, very regular basis already. I just don't think anyone in their right mind could think it would be a "1st rate" attraction to bring in tourism that wouldn't already be in Pittsburgh.
As it is, the Center almost closed a few years ago and went through bankruptcy and liquidation, but was saved after foreclosure, I believe, to the consortium that runs it now.
Generally two elements, seems to me:
1. The city itself must be a stand alone attraction for many decades if not centuries, AND;
2. Other established attractions are easily accessible from that City.
e.g.,,SF, NY, LA, Paris, London.
I don't see Pittsburgh having either element.
Only exception might be where you create some mega attraction where the city is only seconday. E.g. Orlando.
I believe Pittsburgh could be poised to be a weekend getaway destination for people living in other East Coast cities.
It does need a major first day attraction. And it needs complementary secondary attractions, of which it already has some good ones. Some things need more synergy to pull disparate attractions together though.
Fallingwater and Kentuk Knob, and other Laurel Highland's activities are the the day trip from city external elements.
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Move the needle on its own? No, but I think it would be a complementary to the cache of attractions Pittsburgh offers, especially if it was centered downtown at the Wilson Center. And it would be uniquely Pittsburgh. Is someone from DC or Baltimore or Cleveland going to travel to Pittsburgh to see Death of a Salesman or some traveling broadway show....heck no. In fact, even if they did visit Pittsburgh they aren't likely to go to something they can see at home anyway. But seeing a August Wilson play staged mere blocks away from where it is set could fill an evening activity niche that is unique to Pittsburgh.
I would invision its start as some semi-professional non-profit theatre group, perhaps in the mold of Pitt's former Kuntu Rep group, but dedicated to performing, preserving, and interpreting August Wilson's plays and those inspired by his plays or other local contemporary playwrights of his like Rob Penny. Heck, it could be partially housed or supported by a local university but perform regularly at the August Wilson Center to give it a higher profile... subsidized by various foundations until it was able to get off the ground. It could function sort of like other Pittsburgh performance companies where it stages a couple of different plays throughout the year but also have various stakeholders come together to tie it into a larger tourism, development, and historic preservation aspect with the Hill.
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It could and good luck to it. However, that isn't the same as being a "first rate attraction", as you deemed it. It is always great to further celebrate the city and its unique history and/or cultural significance, but 99.9% of people don't even know 1 of his plays, let alone who the writer is or why Pittsburgh is important with regard to his life.
Frankly, wouldn't you rather see a Wilson play done on Broadway or City with more attractions or at least a more established theatre scene. (Saw Ocean done superbly by the renown A.C.T. In SF few years ago). BTW, drove through the Hil a few months ago looking for Wilson's home. That was not the Hill Wilson grew up in. Nothing there.
A.C.T. was founded in Pittsburgh and moved to San Francisco. Been to performances there. Actually seen multiple productions of different Wilson plays by different companies in the Bay Area.
Frankly, I'd love the opportunity to attend a Wilson play performed in Pittsburgh when I'm visiting as it would be a heck of a lot more meaningful than attending one elsewhere, especially if they had a post-play discussion with the director or others about the play. Pittsburgh actually has a very good theatre scene, particularly with CMU and Point Park pumping out impressive young talent. So to honestly answer your question, I'd rather see it done in Pittsburgh than just about anywhere than perhaps Broadway, and the only reason I'd rather see it on Broadway is because of the major star talent that they might get to be in it. But that type of Broadway production is not what I'm talking about, as I'm talking about a permanent theatre company devoted to producing his work year round.
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Well, I guess it may not be a first rate attraction. Which in my meaning is different from a first day attraction, which is a term Peduto likes to throw around. But I still think it could be first rate. I'd certainly take advantage and I know others would.
I wonder if years back people were skeptical about Pittsburgh getting a single museum devoted to one single hometown artist?
Anyway, there is no movement for this to occur. It is only my idea.
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I recently moved back to pittsburgh and am enjoying it....
But you're insane if you think it's a more desirable place to live than those places.
And yes there is still a large yinzer miserable contingent here.
The the percentage of people who smoke blows my mind
I would live in Pittsburgh over LA and San Jose any day.
Every place has pluses and minuses. Pittsburgh is no different.
If you are serious about helping preserve Wilson's legacy here is the site to do this:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...e.com/&usg=AFQjCNE1kokPRV4PMUjcnItxY7GXYWmRzQ
Otherwise hit the road!
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...e.com/&usg=AFQjCNE1kokPRV4PMUjcnItxY7GXYWmRzQ
Otherwise hit the road!
San Jose is pretty great
Only spent a short time in la, but it's very populated for a reason.
The city? There is no urban density. It's a sprawl of suburbs. We definitely have different tastes in urban environment.
It's populated because it is in the center of Silicon Valley. No one goes to San Jose from the San Francisco or Oakland part of the Bay to do anything. However, the reverse is true.
Like anything else it has pluses, I just prefer cities that have density like San Francisco, NYC, Philly, and Pittsburgh.
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I'd definitely add Chicago to that list (minus the cold wind in the winter).
My only issue is that the housing costs in those cities are so extremely high that you either need to have a fantastic job or you're sinking a lot of your money just into day to day expenses. Living in Pittsburgh has allowed us the opportunity to raise our kids mostly on 1 income while being able to pay for college, have a nice house (nothing spectacular) and cars, take our family on trips and save for retirement. The very strong public school systems (albeit in the suburbs) are also a big plus.
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Chicago is an awesome city. I've only visited though.
Pittsburgh has so much potential...especially living downtown. How many cities have such a dense urban core as the Golden Triangle where all of the primary theaters and all of the sports stadiums are within walking distance? Really the only thing that isn't there are the Carnegie museums that are in Oakland. You can even walk over the bridge to Station Square, you can walk to the strip. It needs to gain a critical mass of people living there and it could take off big time. It's missing the obvious: supermarkets, a movie theater complex and some small theaters for independent films or productions, some more boutique shops...but it is close. It could be really special.
Part of the Hill also has so much potential. Smack between downtown and Oakland with some gorgeous views and some housing that could be really nice row houses if fixed up.
But Pittsburgh really needs better public transportation. It is abysmal.
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