WTAE: Evacuation Ordered In Mt. Lebanon After Gas Line Ruptures

Allegheny County 911 dispatchers said a Mt. Lebanon street was evacuated because of a gas leak.

Dispatchers said a crew working with a backhoe hit a gas line in the 600 block of Washington Road on Friday morning.

However a spokesman for Equitable Gas said crews determined the problem was actually a leaking pipe inside restaurant.

Read the full article (with video):

• www.wtae.com/news/28119190/detail.html (WTAE)

Trib: Work to resume on $15M hotel in Mt. Lebanon after gas find

Construction was expected to resume this week on a $15 million hotel in Mt. Lebanon after contractors discovered an abandoned underground storage tank with what appeared to be gasoline inside.

Contractors from Robinson-based Carl Walker Construction were clearing the Washington Road parcel last week for the construction of a Mariott Springhill Suites when they struck two buried storage tanks, one filled with sand and another with gas. All work had to be halted until the Department of Environmental Protection could test soil samples from around the site to see how much gas may have leaked, said Commercial Districts Manager Eric Milliron.

Read the full article:

• www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_738898.html (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

Pop City: Construction starts on $15 million Marriott Springhill Suites in Mt. Lebanon

Construction started last week on the Marriott Springhill Suites on Washington Road in the heart of the main business district in Mt. Lebanon. At seven stories, the hotel will be the area's largest structure. It will feature three levels of on-site parking and in its location in front of the T, have easy access to the light rail.

Kratsa Properties acquired the former North Parking Lot space (adjacent to Howard Hanna Real Estate office) from Mt. Lebanon Parking Authority and proposed the Springhill Suites location. The project will give the South Hills area a welcome addition to its sparse selection of hotels, says Eric Milliron, manager of commercial districts in Mt. Lebanon.

Read the full article:

• www.popcitymedia.com/devnews/mtlebospring051811.aspx (Pop City)

Construction Has Begun On SpringHill Suites

Construction on the new SpringHill Suites hotel has finally begun on Washington Road. As you'll see in the picture, protective fencing has gone up around the entire construction area and the sidewalk is closed between the Howard Hanna offices and the Executive Building. It's great to see new construction on the street, especially something like this that will bring more people to our main street.

Note: While taking the picture, I saw a number of people walking and running along the fence -- which is a lane of traffic. Please be smart and cross the street and use the sidewalk there!

Trib: Mt. Lebanon envisions development above light rail tracks

With most of the space in Mt. Lebanon's Uptown business district developed, the township's next project is up in the air. Literally.

This fall, the municipality received a $150,000 grant from Allegheny County to do the preliminary engineering for a "lid" that could support development projects over the Port Authority light rail tracks behind the Washington Road business district, said Commercial Districts Manager Eric Milliron.

Read the full article:

• www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_715548.html (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

Coming Soon: My Big Fat Greek Gyro

A recent visit to Washington Road brought a smile to my face as I saw this banner in front of the former home of Zipper Blues. My Big Fat Greek Gyro started as a restaurant in Peters Township and has expanded to locations in White Oak, Wexford and Cranberry. Lucky for us, they'll be coming to Mt. Lebanon in the near future!

Changes Coming To 701 Washington Road?

It has come to our attention that a number of the tenants of 701 Washington Road (the building at the corner of Washington Road and Alfred Street) have received letters stating that their leases will not be renewed or extended beyond August 2011. The businesses in this building are as follows:

1. Soundcolor Productions
   
2. Monte's Barber Shop
   
3. Angie's Antique Center
   
4. Mt. Lebanon Shoe Repair
   
5. Facade
   
6. Christian Science Reading Room
   
7. Resonance Violins
   
8. Art by M.A.
   
9. Morris Landscaping
   
10. M.E. Maloney LCSW
    
11. Joseph Cvitkovic PhD
    
12. Barbara Marsh PhD
    
13. Hetz Marsh ACSW DMIN
    
14. Massery Photography
    
15. Tom Underiner ~ Pixel River
    

Does anyone know anything more about this? Any ideas on what may be happening to the building?

Trib: Il Pizzaiolo offers comfy, cozy Italian charm

There's a deliciously secretive feel to the wine bar at Il Pizzaiolo in Mt. Lebanon.

The main dining room is open, expansive and brightly lit with big plate glass windows that make it open to inspection from passers-by on busy Washington Boulevard. It's the sort of place that families, singles and office workers might seek for a quick meal of Southern Italian cuisine.

In contrast, the wine bar is tucked away in a separate structure behind the main building and reached by climbing a staircase and pushing open the anonymous-looking door.

Read the full article:

• www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/lifestyles/fooddrink/s_705287.html (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

Trib: Reaction mixed to Mt. Lebanon revitalization

A new pavilion, some new concrete and banners urging people to "shop local" in Mt. Lebanon have some residents feeling a swell of pride in their little business district, while others are wondering if the face-lift was truly needed for the bustling Uptown area.

Last week, the municipality cut the ribbon on the $727,000 revitalization project during the last of the "First Fridays" celebrations, marking the official completion of the effort that included electrical work, lighting, plumbing, banners, signs and a new covered pavilion in the Clearview Common parklet along Washington Road.

Read the full article:

• www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_703013.html (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

Trib: Mt. Lebanon introduces 'star' in business district

For years, Mt. Lebanon's Uptown business district has been a paradox: a slice of downtown in a suburban setting; a walkable community that didn't take off until the Liberty Tunnels and automobiles opened up the South Hills to widespread settlement.

Last night, officials cut the ribbon on a $737,000 revitalization project along Washington Road, designed to add a touch of parkland and performance space to the businesses, offices and residences Uptown.

Read the full article:

• www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_702384.html (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

Mt. Lebanon and Shadyside Shops Promote Local Artists

Six years ago, Kate McGrady began making her own jewelry. The beaded pieces were a hit with her friends, and many encouraged the Mt. Lebanon mom to share her work. But McGrady quickly found out it wasn't such an easy task.

"We as a society are not supporting our local artists," said McGrady, 47. "People told me good luck trying to sell my jewelry, so I just made a way for it to sell."

And so was born Koolkat Designs, a Mt. Lebanon shop that gives more than 100 local artists a platform from which to sell their work.

Read more: www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_688161.html

Pizza Is Still Specialty At Il Pizzaiolo, But Mt. Lebanon Restaurant Adds Entrees To Expanding Menu

Ron Molinare opened Il Pizzaiolo in Mt. Lebanon in 1996. The restaurant started with just pizza -- now some of the most authentic Neapolitan pizza you can eat in the United States.

As the years passed, Mr. Molinare repeatedly expanded, adding pastas and salads, acquiring a liquor license and building a second-story wine bar behind the restaurant that is sleek and atmospheric while the main dining room is bright and welcoming.

This year, Mr. Molinare hired a new chef, Richard Sphatt, who has added entrees to the menu.

Read more: www.post-gazette.com/pg/10182/1069353-242.stm

What Goes Here?

Blog-Lebo and Fake Lebo join forces to fill these tragically empty storefronts in Uptown Lebo! Post your best ideas both here and at Fake Lebo (www.facebook.com/fakelebo). Serious and not-so-serious ideas all welcome!

Note to our new readers from Fake Lebo: Please use your full name in your comment or we cannot post it. Thanks!

Former Teacher Transforms Kous Kous Cafe In Mt. Lebanon Into A Delicious Destination

Look the wrong way for just a moment and it would be easy to miss Kous Kous Cafe on Washington Road in Mt. Lebanon. The narrow storefront, previously occupied by an outpost of the Enrico Biscotti Company, seems an unlikely location for a restaurant. But Abdel Khila, the owner and chef, wasn't going to let a few small obstacles get in his way.

Read more: www.post-gazette.com/pg/10070/1041780-242.stm

A'Pizza Badamo Focuses On Fresh Flavors, Family Traditions In Mt. Lebanon

The first pizzeria Anthony Badamo ever set foot in is now his own. The twenty-something grew up South Hills, chowing down at the Caruso family's pizzeria on Washington Road in Mt. Lebanon.

Badamo had been planning on opening his own pizza and sandwich shop for some time, but always imagined it in the city--in Lawrenceville, or the Mexican War Streets. But when Caruso's shut down, Badamo knew he couldn't pass up the opportunity to be in the heart of Mt. Lebanon's walkable Uptown business district. Badamo opened A'Pizza Badamo last month in that spot at 656 Washington Rd., not far from his father's salon, Bill Badamo's Hair Styling Studio.

Read more: www.popcitymedia.com/devnews/pizzabadamo030310.aspx

Moroccan Native Brings Culinary Influences To Mt. Lebanon Cafe

Abdel Khila, the owner of Kous Kous Cafe in Mt. Lebanon, says Moroccan food is culled from "generations of creativity."

"We have a lot of influences from all over," says Khila, 34, who lives in Beechview with his wife, Lida, and their two children. "Moroccan food uses a lot of spices, but not a lot of hot flavor. It's extremely unique."

Read more: kouswww.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/lifestyles/fooddrink/s_664557.html

Fundraiser Planned To Help Purchase Mt. Lebanon's Denis Theatre

The Denis Theatre Foundation is embarking on a major push over the next month to raise enough money to purchase the Denis Theatre on Washington Road in Mt. Lebanon and reopen it by late 2011.

Purchasing the Denis means the foundation must raise $750,000 by Feb. 28, when the purchasing options expire, foundation executive director Anne Kemerer said.

Raja, president of the Mt. Lebanon commission, owns the building.

Read more: www.post-gazette.com/pg/10021/1029815-55.stm

Welcome KousKous Cafe, Goodbye Michael B's

The times are a changin' on Washington Road -- at least for food. Last week brought the opening of the new KousKous Cafe in the space where Enrico Biscotti used to be. According to their web site, "KousKous Cafe is a small family owned restaurant serving authentic Moroccan cuisine. The chef owner, Abdel Khila hails from Morocco and has a wide range of experiences in the restaurant and tourism industry having worked in such well regarded establishments such as Walt Disney World company, Baum Vivant, Cafe Zinho and La forêt."

Unfortunately, we also learned that Michael B's (the former Caruso's Pizza) will be closing its doors at the end of December. A sign was recently posted in the front window of the establishment stating that their cooking equipment is for sale. No word yet on what might be taking its place in the future.

Mt. Lebanon Post Office Closure Looms

The U.S. Postal Service said this month that it may shut down Mt. Lebanon's Washington Road Post Office, an announcement that has upset many of the area's residents and business owners.

Uptown Business Association president Joe Ravita, the owner of Empire Music, a guitar store at 719 Washington Road, said he uses the Post Office across the street daily.

"A post office is as big a draw as you can get," he said. "It's a service a lot of residents count on."

Link: www.post-gazette.com/pg/09295/1007320-55.stm

Taste of Morocco Coming Here

Moroccan-born Abdel Khila hopes to open in October a Moroccan (with some French) restaurant on Washington Road in Mt. Lebanon. Called Kous Kous, the small space (formerly Enrico's) will be decorated with Moroccan tiles and other art.

"We're working on making it look authentic," said the multi-lingual Mr. Khila, on leave as a French and Arabic teacher at Upper St. Clair High School. He's doing a lot of the work remodeling the restaurant, but he formerly cooked at several -- Casbah, a Mediterranean and North Africa-themed restaurant in Shadyside, as well as Cafe Zinho and the late Baum Vivant and LaForet.

Signature dishes will include couscous, tagines and pastilles, or savory pie, he said earlier this week. "That's the fun part of Moroccan food -- a lot of it is unique to that country."

Link: www.post-gazette.com/pg/09260/998408-34.stm