Nice post on Mellon Square renovations (Pittsburgh, Oliver: apartments, crime, construction)

[BrianTH]

Market Square Pittsburgh: Another Square Deal Downtown

A description of the vision:

Though part of the initial blueprints, a terrace over the street-level shops never made the final cut. But nearly 60 years later, the former giant planter will welcome visitors to a rectangular refuge from the streets below with grassy areas, benches and handicapped access. The falling waters of the Cascade Fountain will be turned on again and the park's center fountain and pool will shoot spouts of water high in the sky.

And a watercolor rendering:

[Jrn14]

I guess it's nice they are cleaning it up, but this looks exactly like it did before... I was expecting something new and exciting.

[BrianTH]

They decided to respect the original design, which was still reflected in many ways in the pre-renovation state. However, as with Market Square, I think there are some subtle ways in which they are making it a lot more appealing, and it is really the setting that provides most of the drama.

[bradjl2009]

Even if Mellon Square still keeps the same basic design, it will still look a bit better than we remember since it will be cleaned up and the fountains will finally be on again.

[gg]

It looks nice. I was walking by the square waterfall thing and it looked pretty cool. Looking forward to it opening and to be enjoyed by all. Thanks for the update.

[airwave09]

This is definitely going to be a huge improvement. In the next five years every single lot downtown will have been completely revitalized.

This will have to start spilling over into the Strip and Uptown/hill if it arguably hasn't already started doing just that.

[jimsing59]

Mellon Square Renovation is turning into one of the longest restoration projects in Downtown Pittsburgh history but, looks like it should be done soon.

I was hoping for design change that would make it safer on the Smithfield Street side as tress and etc. can block visibility from William Penn Place.

Crime has always been a problem in this park at night so I'm glad to see that it will close at 11PM. Pittsburgh James recommends staying on well-lit streets and out of the park after dark.

Pittsburgh Mellon Square Pigeons depend on the fountain to keep themselves clean and healthy as this project has been an inconvenience to lunch hour smokers, kids, and the birds.

Glad to see that it is now stunt-bike proof!

[pman]

one way to reduce crime is to have a more active street at night..meaning apartments rather than garages. can't say mellon square is a great park but it's a nice cap for a garage

[AaronPGH]

I can't believe how long this project has taken. We watch the site every day from our office in the Oliver building, and usually there are 1-2 construction workers at the max. If there is more than one person, the second or third person is usually just standing there looking at the first person (who is generally doing some miniscule amount of work).

Does anyone know the real story on why this park is so delayed or why the construction site is usually a ghost town?

[wpipkins2]

Originally Posted by jimsing59

Mellon Square Renovation is turning into one of the longest restoration projects in Downtown Pittsburgh history but, looks like it should be done soon.

I was hoping for design change that would make it safer on the Smithfield Street side as tress and etc. can block visibility from William Penn Place.

Crime has always been a problem in this park at night so I'm glad to see that it will close at 11PM. Pittsburgh James recommends staying on well-lit streets and out of the park after dark.

Pittsburgh Mellon Square Pigeons depend on the fountain to keep themselves clean and healthy as this project has been an inconvenience to lunch hour smokers, kids, and the birds.

Glad to see that it is now stunt-bike proof!

The first green rooftop on earth.