PNC Starts Slow Move to New Building

PNC is ready to open the first portion of its new 23-floor $200 million building downtown. Starting Monday, customers will be able to use the new “flagship” bank branch on the fifth avenue side of the still being completed building. Eventually the structure will host PNC corporate offices, Reed Smith law firm offices, 28 condominiums, and a hotel. PNC Director of Corporate Real Estate Gary Saulson says all of those tenants will strive for different LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System) certification that fit their specific industry or use. Bank branch employees will even be asked to be more environmentally conscious by making small personal changes such as drinking out of reusable mugs rather than disposal Styrofoam cups. Reed Smith will move in at the end of August while PNC plans to move over operations in the first quarter of 2010. Saulson says the company will immediately expand to fill the vacant space I its current buildings. The 185-room hotel will open by January and the park at the corner of 5th and Liberty will open before the G20 summit in September. Saulson says even the park will be environmentally friendly by using native plants and environmentally friendly benches and lighting. The condos are being sold and finished with the expectation that all the work will be done in the next 12 months. A “local” coffee house will take up the rest of the ground floor retail space. Saulson says he feels the building has served as a catalyst for other development downtown including the Piatt Place development, the new YMCA and the retail and residential work on Market Street.

City Youth Work Program Twice as Big

The Pittsburgh Summer Youth Employment Program marked its midway point today by taking Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl on a tour of several work sites across the city. The program gives city youth 6 weeks of employment from July 6th through August 14th. They are paid minimum wage while working in mostly public works-type jobs but City Acting Personnel Director Judy Hill Finegan says this year some of the participants are working “white collar internships.” With 554 participants, the program is twice the size it was last year. The expansion comes with the help of federal stimulus finds. Finegan says the $1.6 million in stimulus funds had to go to disadvantaged youth, the $500,000 from the city was used for projects that could attract block grant funds and $150,000 from the Pittsburgh foundation was used to fill the gaps. Students were chosen using a lottery system from all city zip codes. Finegan says not only do the participants get to put more than one thousand dollars in their pocket but they also walk away with work experience and a “Jumpstart Success” certification. The certification is preapproved by the PA Department of Education and the Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board and recognized by employers across the state. She says the certification process includes education on how to be a good employee. It touches on everything from showing up on time and listening to making a good representation of your self and building interpersonal relationships. About a third of the stimulus money will be held back for a work preparation program for 22-24 year olds later this year.

West End Revival

The West End Village is a Pittsburgh neighborhood in transition. Business owners are increasingly finding it an attractive place to locate. Business owner James Frederick says there have been many improvements to the sparsely populated area, and lists many advantages to being in this small section of town. He spoke with DUQ jazz host Bob Studebaker.
To listen to part one of this story click here.
In part two of the story, Frederick talks about how his business, the James Gallery, is part of transforming a dusty post-industrial section of Pittsburgh into an up-and-coming business district. Frederick talks about his hopes for the future there and the role jazz can play in it.
To listen to part two of this story, click here.

PA Could Benefit From Inauguration

The economic impact of next week's Inauguration is reaching into Pennsylvania. The Inaugural weekend officially gets underway with a ceremony at Philadelphia's 30th Street train station. Meryl Levitz is the President and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation. She says while she doesn't think the event will provide any immediate economic boost for the city, it's yet another high-profile presidential milestone that's taking place there. Levitz points out President-elect Barack Obama gave a major speech and held a debate in Philadelphia, and also met with governors at Independence Hall right after the election. The Inauguration is having a more immediate effect elsewhere. Robin Scaer, the Marketing Director for the Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau, says hotels in Dauphin, York and Adams County are all approaching full capacity for Washington visitors looking for cheaper options within driving distance of the big event. Scaer say she's hoping those visitors will enjoy their stay, and then return to the region this summer for a longer vacation.

Pittsburgh Project Names New Executive Director

The Pittsburgh Project, a community development organization on the city's North Side, today announced that Elizabeth Rosemeyer will now be the group's Executive Director. Rosemeyer, a former a attorney, has been the Project's Associate Executive Director since January. She will be only the second executive director in the 24-year history of the Project succeeding Saleem Ghubril who recently accepted a new position at the Pittsburgh Promise. Rosemeyer says she will rely on her hard-working staff to continue with the current the Project's current initiatives. Currently the Project is involved in youth development, community outreach, urban farming, and homeowners service programs.

Point Park U. dreams big

Point Park University unveiled a 210-million dollar plan to grow its downtown . The plan includes several buildings along Wood Street from First Avenue to Forbes Avenue. The work will range from offices and classrooms to dorms and performance spaces. University President Paul Hennigan says it will be done with an eye toward retail on every first floor. The work will be spread over the next 8 years with the dorms and athletic facilities completed first with the relocated Pittsburgh Playhouse to follow. The university expects to expand enrolment from the current 36-hundred students to 43-hundred in 6 years including a nearly 2 thirds increase in on campus living. The school also plans to plant at least 150 trees and it hopes to turn the Blvd of the Allies into an actual Blvd by adding a center median.