Pittsburgh residents voice concerns over proposed Shadyside development

Pittsburgh residents Tuesday criticized the proposed redevelopment of a Giant Eagle shopping plaza in Shadyside, saying it would add to traffic congestion and building density in an area that’s already overcrowded.

Echo Realty, which owns the plaza at Penn and Shady avenues known as Shady Hill Center, has yet to file development plans, but is seeking a zoning change that would allow it to shrink the grocery store and build a multilevel building with more than 200 apartments, ground-level retail space and a parking garage with more than 200 spaces.

Philip Bishop, Echo’s vice president, said during a public hearing before Pittsburgh City Council that the plaza is outdated and in “dire need of an upgrade,” but zoning regulations prohibit a mixed-used development. He said the company would continue working with residents “who are as concerned with the community as we are.”

The zoning change is subject to council approval and Councilwoman Erika Strassburger, who represents the area, said she would delay a vote to clear up outstanding issues.

“The good news is I believe that from what I heard, there is one thing that we all can agree on: The current use of this land is not the best use and that it should be redeveloped in some form,” Strassburger said. “I’m going to call for a delay of the vote until we can all get together … and get some real answers to the questions that were raised today.”

Residents living in close proximity to the plaza objected to the plans, saying the Giant Eagle would close during construction for 18 to 24 months and the new buildings would cause traffic backups on busy streets. They said the development would also take away green space.

“It’s just too much density,” said John Wojtyna, 69, who lives less than two blocks away from the plaza. “We’re running out of breathing room because it’s just going to be a wall of buildings.”

Not all speakers objected to the development. Representatives of groups including Pittsburgh United, Pittsburghers for Public Transit and Just Harvest said they would support the project so long as Echo enters into an enforceable community benefits agreement that includes such things as affordable housing and better facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Echo is planning to offer 15% of the units as affordable.

“In this particular case the council should insist on specific commitments to preserve healthy-food floor space in the new store and an interim grocery transportation access solution as conditions of any future zoning approval,” said Ken Regal, executive director of Just Harvest.

Attorney Kevin F. McKeegan, who represents the developers, said Echo’s plans to build a multifamily development next to the city’s busiest transit stop in East Liberty is in alignment with city policy to be more oriented toward public transportation. He said the property lacks modern stormwater controls and has a large parking lot between the plaza and street, but none of those issues can change under zoning regulations.

“We know that today is not the end of the road,” McKeegan said. “We know that further discussion with the community is necessary. We welcome the comments today. We’ll be prepared to address them at the appropriate time.”