Well, another postponement for voting whether or not to demolish 1818 Colwell Street. I’m confident this will be the last one. This experience has been more than interesting - it’s been eye-opening. First, we have a developer, who, from day one, has boosted adamantly the plan they submitted was the ONLY possible choice - making the demolition of the warehouse/garage an absolute necessity. Sort of a take-it or leave-it attitude. I do believe the developer was told this would be slam-dunk getting demolition approval from The Historic Review Commission (HRC). However, when they finally realized that wasn’t going to be the case, they presented a very insignificant alternative. To use the bricks - from the pending demolition - as a facade to an outdoor theatre area within the development. And with a plaque stating where they bricks came from etc. Maybe even a Rolling Rock Beer sign.
Gratefully, that was not the solution The HRC was anticipating…so they threw it back at the developer and said try again. Hence, the 30 day postponement. And BTW, the developer NOW - miraculously - has some new ideas about how the warehouse/garage can possibly be saved and/or worked into the development.
As you might remember - and I’ll never forget - The HRC - individually and personally lambasted my family and all they stood for when denying Historic Designation. In fact, the developer, at a prior meeting even mentioned something along the lines of ‘hey since none of you (HRC) voted for it - this should be an easy decision.’
The other point the developer keeps emphasizing is how much money they are paying to the McQuire Family for 1817 Fifth Avenue - $500,000 dollars - like we should be grateful. My God, that family and The Williams family are the main reason this entire area is so blighted and rundown. They did nothing to keep the properties up including not paying the taxes. But that doesn’t matter at all - they’re going to be rewarded. And substantially so. NO ONE wants to hear about that since basically it is a smack in the face to The Hill/Uptown/Soho Communities and so many others throughout Pittsburgh and surrounding areas.
And to add insult to injury - The Williams Family is set to get upwards of $5,000,000 million dollars for the warehouse and all the other properties they bought, let turn into complete blight, then razed and made into parking lots - it’s utterly ridiculous.
I’ve included the picture presented on what the area will look, if the Warehouse/Garage goes down. They will only keep the facade of 1817 Fifth Avenue. Not the entire house. If you look at the picture, you will notice that right behind the house is not a driveway or parking area, just more apartments. So that is definitely off from what has been continually presented. Also, this rendition is very misleading. In actuality, the house sits up much higher and is much more narrow than that depicted. Resulting in the house, which will be a mere 10 feet from the development, being even more dwarfed by this enormous structure.
My family and I are truly grateful for the honor of having this property, in whole, granted Historic Designation - however that doesn’t stop us from fighting for issues that are right and factual. This should not be looked at, by some, as a treasonous act. This is the last vestige of my families ‘tangible’ legacy here in Pittsburgh and it matters a great deal. And in case you don’t know me, I will always support and fight for the things I truly believe in.
Knowing that this development does little, to nothing, for those in true need in The Hill/Uptown/Soho Communities - is very disheartening. Seems the only people who will be rewarded are those who contributed to the blight conditions currently found along this corridor for the past 50+ years and the developer, et al.
Sorry but I have to interject here…to those who continue to say the Tito name wrong for the past 2 years. Once again, it’s TIT-O. It isn’t hard - it’s just disrespectful not to be said properly.
With much appreciation to everyone who has stayed the course and not wavered during this journey.
Rona & The Tito/Mecca/Zizza Families