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SHHS has a future as a retirement residence
by Mountain Girl ~ November 24th, 2008. Filed under: Latest News.State Senator Wayne Fontana announced Friday he managed to “shake more money loose, another one and a half million” for the conversion of the former South Hills High School to what will be called the South Hills Retirement Residence.
The state capital improvement money “should make this project happen and should make everyone enthusiastic again,” said Sen. Fontana at a celebration of the redevelopment project held Friday at the Shiloh Inn. READ MORE.
November 25th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Am I the only on that’s not excited about this development?
Like we need another old folks home! I’m not trying to be anti old people but that space has so much more potential!How about we get creative for once? This is just another typical Pittsburgh wasted space.
Is this YMCA just going to be another gathering point for punk kids to cause trouble and bother the old people that live there and scare them to the point they never leave? Will anyone in the neighborhood join this Y? Will they feel safe enough to work out there?
And I found this quote from Fontana hilarious, “I’m a big believer in this. There will be an increase in jobs and property values. This will make people want to come here. A lot of neighborhoods need to be reinvented,” Again.. the problem with Pittsburgh politicians, career good ol boys and extremely lazy and unimaginative. This isn’t going to attract anyone to Mt. Washington and I predict will drive more away when the “neighbors” start coming up even closer to the “view”
I ask all of you out there. What would you like to see in our old school?
November 27th, 2008 at 12:11 am
Hey Steve-O,
SHHS is a done deal — finally! Thanks to a few people who stuck with this project for the past 15 years.
So, you’re going to have to put your effort of ideas towards Prospect Middle School. Actually, I’d like to hear what people can come up with for Prospect that is a great site.
November 27th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Just noticed a drawing in the window of the building that was recently purchased at wyoming and boggs. I’m very excited about the prospect of no name diner moving and the future development of that building. Now if we could only get someone to buy that awlful building across the street, where the hardware store used to be. The windows are now covered in pink….
November 27th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Yep, it’s encouraging! Cityzens bought 7,9,11,15,17,19, and 137 Boggs Avenue. They just have to acquire Mr. Rowe’s property, 139 and 33 Boggs and they will own a huge parcel that is a great future development site! Things are looking up for Boggs Avenue!
November 27th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
That no name diner makes a reallly good country breakfast.
November 28th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Why not make Boggs/Bailey its own little business district!?
MG
November 28th, 2008 at 11:37 am
Might I point out that 33 Boggs is owned by the MWCDC. I think the overall hope would be that the CDC could eventually sell the property to a developer looking to make improvements to the Boggs bailey district. So we are that much closer
And Steve-O, you might be one of the only people who is not excited about the SHHS development. And as Melissa pointed out, it is kind of a done deal,…just waiting for the last t’s to be crossed and i’s dotted.
While I understand where you are coming from, I’d urge you to take a walk around the site and see the black hole it creates at the back of our neighborhood (I can see the massive building from my front porch and drive by the 10 foot high fences around it many times a week). The site in its current state gives the feeling of urban decay, with a twist of prison camp.
Now I’m not one to jump on the “anything is better than nothing” bandwagon…but think of it this way. While you or I may offer our opinions as to what we THINK would be good or profitable on that site,…those are just off the cuff opinions.
Would a developer roll the dice on years of prep work and a 25 million dollar project on gut feelings and opinions? I think that anyone who takes on a project like this is going to do studies to determine what the best and most profitable use for the property would be. So I would think that the concept for the development came from such studies based on market sizes and trends housing demand, availabilities of tax credits etc…
And more personally, Yes, I think I would join the Ymca
November 28th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Hi there,
I’d like to point out that 33 Boggs Avenue was put in the land bank when I was still on the board. We had a consultant work with us — way back when — but at the time there was no interest in Boggs Avenue — Susan Brandt and I were able to convince the board that the CDC needed to take control of the property. Of course, it was to be part of a larger concept; however at the time we no longer wanted the derelicts occupying the building. I hope that the owners of the other buildings keep snatching up those properties.
As far as SHHS it’s a done deal – nothing can stop them now. I suggest instead of the negative about projects that other people dedicated their talents to – put your efforts and ideas into what possibilities are there for other empty and looming structures in the neighborhood, particularity, Prospect Middle School.
November 28th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
Sorry for the second post, but it was an after thought. There is a long history of the SHHS project. With any large scale project that will impact a neighborhood there was a focus group of neighbors, property owners and folks who were interested in the fate of the building. Their input was part of surveys that were distributed in the area. The majority — ah — yes — you guessed it favored the senior mixed housing. So, the developer didn’t come in and blindly decide what he was doing.
November 30th, 2008 at 11:37 pm
Just hearing ‘Prospect Middle School’ leaves a sour taste on my tongue.
Dan Romaniello did everything he could to get our schools closed and leave the other side of route 51 thriving at every location. Our middle school won the KEYSTONE AWARD…… 6 months after it was closed. only 5 schools in the entire state get that award for keeping your scores up and just getting better every year…. but they closed it!
Our kids are still at South Hills Middle School taking gym in the hallways (they do arobics) now that its winter because Brashear is now overcrowded and can’t share gym time, and at Brookline, for the third year since the closings…… our kids are still being taught in trailers in the parking lot.
Hip Hip Hooray for our Superintendant.
There’s a huge, perfectly decent structure sitting empty and we’lve been paying the bills for the lights to be on all night all around the building and to keep it heated so all the pipes don’t freeze…….. for 3 years now!
December 1st, 2008 at 9:32 am
I’m happy to hear about the potential for Boggs Avenue. I assume that’s the building that includes the now-closed antique store? As for the diner, my son stops in there occasionally and enjoys their meals. I would favor keeping a little eatery or coffee shop there. Maybe the diner could be renovated.
I understand the owner of the hardware store doesn’t want to sell his building, correct? Too bad. That corner is such a prime location.
December 1st, 2008 at 10:11 am
The no name diner is moving to where the pizza shop was, next to the Laundry at Boggs and Greenbush.
December 1st, 2008 at 10:16 am
Livin on the mount, 3 years is nothing. How long do you think S.H. High School has been closed. I’m sure Melissa knows. I’m just guessing but I bet its more than 25 years!!!
December 1st, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Just another observation on Boggs — La Tavola is busy year-round with a bustling crowd and a full parking lot. In the summer, the customers have to step outside to have a smoke, so you frequently see small groups of well-dressed people on that sidewalk. Wouldn’t it be nice to have another business nearby that could interest them? A little coffee shop with outdoor seating? Right now, they’re looking across the street at the boarded-up Magoo’s store.
December 1st, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Does everyone know LaTavola charges for valet parking? Then they park the customers cars on Bailey. Charging people for parking than driving to a close street when the customer could have done it? Shamefull!! Ever since certain football players started going there, its no longer a reasonable neighborhood restaurant. I’m not saying the food is not good, its just not the wonderful family run place it used to be. Its lost the neighborhood charm it once had. How sad.
December 1st, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Steve-O I totally agree with you, we do not need any more low-income SR citizen developments in Mt Washington. We need some upscale buildings that will bring real revitilazation to the community. Residents that will want upscale services like shopping & dining. And people who will force the city to give us more police protection and safer streets. Can we find some politician to use Eminent Domain to force a condemnation ruling on the empty lots on Grandview Ave and force a Sale to a real developer? There are developers who would be interested in building on Grandview Ave, but the properties are all tied up….and then again there are those Mt Washington residents that stop all new construction except for Sr. Citizens and Low Income. There is one older man who was bragging on the Mon Incline one morning that he was involved in stopping the Ritz Carlton from building at the Edge Property….who would want a Ritz in their community??? Every community in the world….except Mt Washington. Steve-O what can we do to change the mindset of this community? There are too many people who think the SHHS project is wonderful. I would rather they tore down the old school and sold the lots of individual homeowners (not low income or govt subsidized) and let those owners build their dream home.
December 1st, 2008 at 2:15 pm
There is one older man who was bragging on the Mon Incline one morning that he was involved in stopping the Ritz Carlton from building at the Edge Property
That old man is an idiot. How could you be proud of that?
Can we find some politician to use Eminent Domain to force a condemnation ruling on the empty lots on Grandview Ave and force a Sale to a real developer?
Right, Craig Cozza (the owner) has sat on those properties for far too long. The current condition is unacceptable - At the very least, he should be fined and forced to clean them up.
December 1st, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Finally someone agrees with me!
Jamie, the only way I know to change the mentality of the people of THIS community is to wait them out (till they die), or force them out.
Here are my “oh so unpopular” ideas: Higher property taxes, gay bars and more gay residents, more artists, ordinances for the neighborhood like a home owners associations, more renters, less section 8 renters, something new at the Edge, no more pay phones, no Steelers junk in windows or porches, steep fines for not raking leaves or cutting grass, no dive bars, a gate at the end of Bailey Ave., demolition of empty burnt out houses ala Wyoming and now it seems Kambach, oh damn I could go on for hours.
December 1st, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Steve-O:
Some of your suggestions make sense–but a gate at the end of Bailey Ave?! You mean, to separate Allentown and Mt. Washington? Walling off our community is not the answer.
MG
December 1st, 2008 at 4:33 pm
I agree a little bit with everyone….we definitely need more/better infrastructure (how about a Giant Eagle Express instead of that grotty Foodland, for a start), and it would be great if they could turn the old middle school (that’s the big white building on top of the hill, right?) into lofts or something like that. But I also agree that walling us off from Allentown isn’t the answer either. We’ve got to find ways to get along with one another, to get the police to help us get rid of the small-time (but rapidly becoming big-time) drug dealing, and to hold landlords (both regular folks and corporate types) responsible for their properties and the actions of their tenants. Sadly, it seems that calling 311 and the local government/city council folks doesn’t get much action. I’m a big believer in “broken windows”/community policing. Start small, share your ideas/beliefs with your neighbors, and IDEALLY the good stuff spreads. “Ideally” being the catch, though….
December 1st, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Welcome newto,
Good points and I think the majority of our readers would agree with your points. Unfortunately there are 13000 residents of the 15211 and only about 200 people that are (on and off) active and seem to care. Either on this site or at the MWCDC or MWREDO meetings.
First thing is first and that is getting people involved. Community Organizing 101 I guess. Speaking of which stay tuned for the next Living It Up Happy Hour, we’ll be announcing that soon!
December 1st, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Ruthis,
I know, I know about S.H.H.S. I was told it going on 30 years now?
Maybe that’s why I’m always making this point: Will it be 30 years of Prospect sitting there empty?
THe other thing is that alot of people have left the are because of that.
(I could name 8 or 9 families right off the top, and thats the ones that I personally knew.)
People want to live in a community where there are schools; not where they have to put them on a bus to go. That’s just a sad fact for our neighborhood. And you can’t even count in Grandview school, because the kids who live within blocks of there can’t even go there, they have to get bused to Whittier and Banksville!
December 1st, 2008 at 5:38 pm
RUTHIE NOT RUTHIS
sorry !!!!
December 1st, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Hi All,
SHHS closed in 1986 — that was the last graduating class. It has sat there since then — that is 23 years. It was aboutr 1995 when Susan Brandt began a crusade to revitalize the building. Many ideas were floated one was a Asian Community center. The square footage in the building is too extensive to do anything but use it for housing. Many oppurtunities and many developers came forward with awesome ideas it came down to who could put the plan and the money together and produce a product. Like it or not Rodriquez is the developer. Quit beating the drum it’s a done deal. Don’t you think we should start targeting all of the parcels and buildings that were just suggested instead of burning energy on a project that is a done deal?
Part of my idea for Boggs Avenue is to raze 15, 17, 137, 31, 33, 121 and Mr. Rowes property and build something that would be an anchor. The hardware store is a disaster and shoulld be razed. Gary Tuckfelt obviously is unreasonable — if a credible developer would come in and offer him cash maybe he would sell?
As far as Prospect School it should have never closed. Sherry Hazuda isn’t doing a damn thing either. If the children are in trailers and are having gym in hallways then her office must be picketed. If it were my children I’d be calling her office, the superintendent, and the state every day until something was changed. Flood their offices with calls you’ll see how that don’t like their errors pointed out!
December 6th, 2008 at 1:25 am
I Like your Ideas M. Rossiter,you know what your talking about.You have done more for Mt.Washington then anyone i ever heard of.Great job keep up the good work
December 6th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Wow, I am humbled. I just do what I believe is best for my community.
December 7th, 2008 at 11:39 am
I didn’t know this site was a “lets all pat each other on the back” site. But it sure seems like that’s what is happening.
No one really cares, Ms. Rossiter, who does stuff, just that it gets done and the fact that you’re on here touting your accomplishments only diminishes them. Wise up.
I have more respect for the person who just quietly goes around helping people and their neighbors and doesn’t care who knows. So please, tell your friends to quit wasting our time on here with your self appreciation. For all we know YOU are Mt. Washington Resident.
Sounds like someone is gearing up for another attempt at City Council.
December 7th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
No Steve-O, no city council — nice try. And, I should have let that go but I thought I was being nice. No, I don’t know who MtResident is — unlike you, MtRes, and the rest of the people here on this site I don’t have a problem using my name.
I must say that you and some other people on this blog spew your vitriolic hate and give readers a reason to dislike the neighborhood – especially when they think all the residents are as hateful as you. I think you need to wise up – whoever you are – it’s people like you who don’t have the nerve to identify yourself – COWARD!
December 7th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
Ease up you two. Or we’re blocking you both from commenting. It’s one thing to debate issues, but personal attacks won’t be tolerated.
Best,
MG
December 7th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
Very interesting. I feel Steve-O might have a point here. Who cares who does what and if there is a name behind it. It’s like the rich guy who donates 1,000,000 to PITT just so they will name a wing of the library after them. That’s lame. Just do it. I guess some just do things for their community to make themselves feel good. Sounds like thats what MR does. I’m happy she does stuff but she ruins it by bragging about it. When I do stuff, and I do, she’ll never know about it cause I don’t care if anyone knows I did it, I just am happy to help.
December 7th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
also, if you don’t put your full name and address on here, it doesn’t make you a coward, it just shows that you are used to the internet and know what blogging and forums are about. Most aren’t looking for a pat on the back they just want to discuss something and see if they can find a solution. It’s kind of like a Think Tank. No one ever knows who does the thinking, just that it came from one tank. So MR please stop making yourself look like a rookie by trying to call people out on here.
December 21st, 2008 at 5:35 am
I agree with some points, and others i don’t. Is SHHS all that big a deal, its not like its the showcase of MW, tourists, visitors, and potential residents don’t really see that part of MW. What really needs to be done is to liven up the nightlife up here with some affordable yet trendy bars and restaurants, not these dive bars and over priced restaurants that most of the residents up here cant even afford. Some boutiques, clothing, specialty stores etc. Appealing to the younger generation is the key, if you keep repeating the past you are going to get the same results.
December 21st, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Noob-We would be repeating the past (not that is a bad thing) from what I’ve heard we used to have clothing and specialty stores, movie theatre, bakery, it was many years ago.
December 31st, 2008 at 10:14 am
Wow. I had no idea what hatred lives in the hearts of my neighbors. you all need a dose of “What would Mr. Roger’s do?”. The intolerance is unbearable.
Won’t you be my neighbor? Gosh, I hope not. I am glad I live not near you.
Happy New Year, Steve-O OOOOOO what a …
December 31st, 2008 at 10:25 am
wake up and smell the aging…
and you are right behind…
in more ways than one.
December 31st, 2008 at 3:19 pm
yikes. this site, or the people rather, has really gone down hill.
January 7th, 2009 at 8:54 am
Please explain. I’d love to hear.
MG