Trib: Mt. Lebanon T station development could be 'big'

Developers could create prime real estate in Mt. Lebanon's Uptown business district out of thin air, if engineers' concepts for a deck above the Port Authority light-rail line come to fruition.

Under a contract with the municipality, engineers from Los Angeles-based AECOM have been studying how to utilize air rights Mt. Lebanon owns above the rails, perhaps by building on a deck that would cover the tracks. Mt. Lebanon Parking Authority purchased the air rights from the Port Authority in the 1980s. The rights passed to the municipality when it absorbed the Parking Authority last year.

Read the full article:

• www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_780613.html (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

Color To Brighten Commute In Murals On Inn, T Station

Life in the South Hills is a bit brighter, thanks to some colorful projects.

Passersby have been following the progress of two large-scale murals within a half-mile of each other. One part of the Pittsburgh 250 celebration is steadily taking over three large walls of the Mt. Lebanon T station off Shady Drive East.

The other involves transforming a plain, gray-block garage addition to the Ivy Inn on Castle Shannon Boulevard in Mt. Lebanon. Thanks to great weather in the last few weeks, both are heading rapidly toward completion, probably by late September.

Link: www.post-gazette.com/pg/08241/907418-55.stm

Castle Shannon Eyes 'T' Project

About a decade in the making, Castle Shannon Manager Tom Hartswick said he's hopeful an agreement can reached with a Mt. Lebanon developer to construct a platform above the Port Authority "T" station at Mt. Lebanon and Castle Shannon boulevards.

The developer would build apartments and designate commercial space on top of the platform. Mt. Lebanon officials are also keenly interested in the plans, because the area in question has been known for traffic congestion. Mt. Lebanon Manager Steve Feller said he wants to see the traffic studies once they've been submitted to Castle Shannon by the developer.

Link: www.thealmanac.net/ALM/Story/08-20-ML-CS-development-B

Study Shows How Growth May Fit Around T Stations

Dense housing, improved parking and pedestrian-friendly retail shops would sprout around three South Hills T stations under a Transit Revitalization Investment District planning study presented Wednesday night at the Mt. Lebanon Municipal Building.

The study, funded by state grants of $75,000 each to Dormont and Mt. Lebanon, offers potential developers and residents both low- and high-density development concepts.

Link: www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_555773.html

Link 2: www.alleghenyinstitute.org/blog/2008/03/trid-stuck-at-station.php

Public Hearing Slated On South Hills Plans

The final public hearing about developing areas around South Hills T stations is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Mt. Lebanon Municipal Building.

An intergovernmental group has been considering long-range plans for development around the Dormont and Mt. Lebanon T stations. The study, paid for by state grants totaling $150,000, is being led by the Allegheny County Department of Economic Development, the Port Authority and the two towns.

Link: www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_555044.html

TRID Grant Assists With Planning Near T Station and CBD

With funding from a state-awarded Transit Revitalization Investment District (TRID) grant, Mt. Lebanon is completing a study of two development scenarios for sites surrounding its Washington Rd. T station. The $75,000 multi-municipality project also involves the Borough of Dormont.

“We’re taking advantage of an untapped asset we have in the T, and its proximity to our central business district. There’s a trend around the country of people moving back into urban centers,” says Mt. Lebanon’s commercial districts manager, Dan Woodske. “It calls for more high-density residential. It makes sense for people who work in Pittsburgh.

Link: www.popcitymedia.com/developmentnews/trid0227.aspx