Luster's off the Golden Triangle (Print Edition Headline)

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review ^ | 2 March 2008 | Mike Cronin

[Vigilanteman]

Pittsburgh plots to revitalize stagnant Downtown

Owners of Downtown's biggest office buildings have cut their tax assessments by nearly a quarter-billion dollars in the past five years.

The lowered assessments are a sign the Golden Triangle has lost some luster. Experts blame the flight of shoppers to suburban malls, a high Downtown office vacancy rate, a city payroll tax and fewer direct flights at Pittsburgh International Airport, which corporate executives cherish.

Allegheny County assessment records show the value of the Golden Triangle's 25 largest buildings has dropped or stayed the same since 2003.

[Vigilanteman]

Pittsburgh is a great study in how the best of assets can be turned into liabilities with idiot liberal economic policies.

The Golden Triangle has everything going for it. It is one of the most beautiful downtown skylines of any city in the country with its bridges, three rivers and architectural beauty. It has history-- with the focal point of the French & Indian War and, therefore, quite arguably the conception place of our nation. But it has been a one-party town since the 1930's and cannot get past the tax and spend mentality.

Still, businesses stay because of the natural positives. And one positive (declining airfares) is now being spun as a negative: Fewer direct flights because the idiots running the city and county could no longer afford to bribe US Air to keep a hub here, thereby opening up gates for discount carriers like Jet Blue and Southwest.

Wow!

[Daveinyork]

They spend money everywhere but the most important place - fighting violent crime.

[PurpleMan]

Lower the corporate tax rates and businesses will come while revenues increase.

Unfortunately, that antithetical to the teen-age mayor’s socialistic approach

[4yearlurker]

I live just south of Allegheny County. One word for the Rats running/ruining Pittsburgh. Taxes!! If one goes into the city for a drink in a bar you must pay to park with 50% tax,can’t smoke in the bar and pay a 10% poured drink tax. (for the city bus drivers) Dems and unions,there is no city they can’t bankrupt.

[CRBDeuce]

Dems and unions,there is no city they can’t bankrupt.

Dems and unions,there is no city/state/corporation/family/country/religion they can’t bankrupt/corrupt.

There, that's a good start....more to follow!

[uglybiker]

Little boy. Tell me where I can find this 'Triangle'.
I must have it!!

[Vigilanteman]

I’m no fan of smoky places, but I always thought outlawing smoking in bars made about as much sense as outlawing fornicating in cat houses.

[PghBaldy]

LOL. I live in Pittsburgh. Love the city, hate the govt. Conservative for a Dem city.