Olympic Games in Pittsburgh
To begin, I grew up in Pittsburgh but am now an architect and engineer living in New York City. Though I love New York and happily call it home, I miss Pittsburgh as well. I strongly believe that Pittsburgh has a great chance to win an Olympic bid.
Plan for Success
Pittsburgh is a beautiful, thriving city with a great deal to offer.
In my opinion, the two greatest hurdles, finances and hotel space, can be easily overcome. More importantly, the games could be just the opportunity to encourage private growth and development as well as to gain city, state, and federal funds to check items off of a long wish list and plan for the future of this thriving city..
I would never accept that Pittsburgh is too small a city to host the Olympic Games. Salt Lake City, Cape Town, Montreal, there is a long list of similarly sized cities that have successfully hosted the large events such as the Olympics or World Cup.
My plan is based on two fundamental concepts:
The points I've listed below are each very important but only scratch the tip of the iceberg. I would encourage you to read through and consider all my ideas, but I am excited about discussing or outlining in much greater detail how Pittsburgh can put together the best possible Olympic Games.
I would never accept that Pittsburgh is too small a city to host the Olympic Games. Salt Lake City, Cape Town, Montreal, there is a long list of similarly sized cities that have successfully hosted the large events such as the Olympics or World Cup.
My plan is based on two fundamental concepts:
- Reuse Reuse Reuse: This idea focuses on reusing what the city already has to prepare for the Olympics, reusing during the Olympics, and the reuse what has been created for the Olympics in a plan for the future for the city.
- A plan for the future: The Olympics coming to Pittsburgh is a big deal, let's not diminish that, but we should not plan for the Olympics, we should create a plan for the city post-Olympics by following long term goals already well defined.
The points I've listed below are each very important but only scratch the tip of the iceberg. I would encourage you to read through and consider all my ideas, but I am excited about discussing or outlining in much greater detail how Pittsburgh can put together the best possible Olympic Games.
Hotels
Example of steel framed modular construction.
Pittsburgh doesn't have enough. Realistically, Pittsburgh does need more rooms, but the city needs nowhere near the number of permanent rooms required to host the Olympics. 30,000 rooms is a generally accepted number of required rooms to host a major convention and there is absolutely no reason why the city cannot reach that number from private development alone. The city currently only has about 24,000 rooms. I would encourage private developers to add about 6000 rooms to that total. Anymore would only cause trouble after the games. Further, private developers are going to realize that and probably be wary of creating an excess of rooms that will go to waste after the main event.
To reach that magic number of 48,000-50,000 rooms, its likely that some public development will be needed. I would say one word, modular. Develop hotels that can be assembled and disassembled quickly and easily. Further, design of those hotels should ensure those rooms and their contents can be put on a truck, train, or boat and shipped anywhere in the world after the games. Selling off about 20,000 rooms to buyers around the world should not be a problem, especially if you market them as entire hotels, designed and ready, shipped and assembled. You can recoup most of your costs from design and construction simply by selling off excess modular rooms and buildings. Plus, its environmentally friendly. Reuse, reuse, reuse. The environmental costs of shipping pale in comparison to building new. The superstructure erected to support the modular rooms may be taken down outright and sold or simply sold in situ to the highest bidder, who can take the site and develop modular style offices or residential units to work with the existing frame.
To reach that magic number of 48,000-50,000 rooms, its likely that some public development will be needed. I would say one word, modular. Develop hotels that can be assembled and disassembled quickly and easily. Further, design of those hotels should ensure those rooms and their contents can be put on a truck, train, or boat and shipped anywhere in the world after the games. Selling off about 20,000 rooms to buyers around the world should not be a problem, especially if you market them as entire hotels, designed and ready, shipped and assembled. You can recoup most of your costs from design and construction simply by selling off excess modular rooms and buildings. Plus, its environmentally friendly. Reuse, reuse, reuse. The environmental costs of shipping pale in comparison to building new. The superstructure erected to support the modular rooms may be taken down outright and sold or simply sold in situ to the highest bidder, who can take the site and develop modular style offices or residential units to work with the existing frame.
Land
Brownfield redevelopment site in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh has plenty of it. In fact, you've got land that may land you the bid (pun intended). Brownfields have helped redefine Pittsburg'sh image for the past two decades as the city has lead the way in taking toxic, vacant industrial sites and turning them into new developments. I recommend putting that idea right in the face of the Olympic committee. Those hotels, stadiums, and villages need to be on brownfield sites and, when possible, in old factories. Reuse existing spaces for something new and introduce the world to the new Pittsburgh! One that has embraced and re-imagined its industrial past.
My recommendation is to use this opportunity to budget funds to clean up the brownfield sites, and develop the infrastructure needed on those sites to sustain workable and walkable communities. When the games are finished, you'll be left not with brownfields, but with prime, ready-for-development land within bustling new communities. That land can be sold for a premium to help recover some of the cost of the games. Further, most of the city's brownfields are along its rivers! That makes the land even more valuable and it gives Olympic patrons a look at our world famous bridges and rivers.
My recommendation is to use this opportunity to budget funds to clean up the brownfield sites, and develop the infrastructure needed on those sites to sustain workable and walkable communities. When the games are finished, you'll be left not with brownfields, but with prime, ready-for-development land within bustling new communities. That land can be sold for a premium to help recover some of the cost of the games. Further, most of the city's brownfields are along its rivers! That makes the land even more valuable and it gives Olympic patrons a look at our world famous bridges and rivers.
Infrastructure
This is a key issue because there is a great need for infrastructure development in Pittsburgh but there are some really exciting possibilities too.
River Ferry
My first idea is to use the rivers. Pittsburgh is a non-coastal city built on the water. It was founded because of the rivers and now its time to bring the Olympics to the city for the very same reason. Mass transit does not have to be solely new rail lines (though I will be getting to that). Instead, water ferries are cheap, easy to re-route, and they aren't permanent. Put in place a ferry system that services each of the new riverside Olympic developments. After the games, keep in place only the systems that will continue to be used by city, reduce the number of ferries as necessary, and continue to grow the small riverside communities that were developed for the Olympics. From a post-game prospective, selling off unneeded ferries is a good way to put that cost back into a realistic range and it sticks with the idea of Reuse, Reuse, Reuse.
Streetcar or tram
Rails. Its a hot ticket item right now. And it'll help win the Olympic bid. But I would shy away from raised platform or subterranean systems. They are overpriced for the service they provide. Instead, why not consider streetcars and trams for travel in the immediate city and region. Streetcars and trams require little more than upgrades to existing roads and highways. Pittsburghers have been asking for better public transit for years now. The cost of gas, transition of car friendly suburbs to walkable urban neighborhoods, and ever growing problems with traffic are only a small reason for the outcry for more public transit. Develop street car lines that follow major routes out of the downtown area and along rivers and through major neighborhoods like Oakland that aren't immediately on a river. I would encourage the widening of most of those 2 or 3 lane roads that lead out of the city to accommodate two lanes of street cars, stopping at each of the re-developed communities along the 3 rivers. I model the system on cities like Istanbul, Turkey, and Prague Czech Republic.
Light Rail or Regional Rail
Light rail out of the city. Pittsburgh defines an entire region, not just a city. What do industrial cities have a lot of? Railroads. I would promote the usage of existing lines and right-of-ways to open up- and down-stream communities to public transportation directly into and out of the city. Encourage private companies to update rails, signals, and routes to permit the usage by light rail. When existing rails are unavailable or laying new track is preferable for long term planning,use existing highway and railway right-of-away to develop new commuter lines. Rails go through nearly every major community in Western PA, they are why most of those communities exist today! Use those rails and right-of-ways to your advantage. I would model a regional light rail system after similar systems in the New York City metro area and London Metro area; both with extensive mass transit systems and expansive regional light rail systems.
Finally, the behind the scenes infrastructure: recycling, energy, water, waste, and trash. They won't go away on their own. Pittsburgh does not need to permanently enhance their 'backstage' infrastructure to meet the peak demands of a major event like the Olympics. But, if we're being honest, the city and region probably could stand to upgrade already existing systems. I would start by publicly starting a recycling and clean energy program. Create composting programs and recycle all other 'discardable' items; follow the lead of cities such as Portland, OR and San Francisco, CA. Put in place programs to encourage the use of recyclable or biodegradable goods. Programs at Penn State and other schools are developing technologies to turn biodegradable waste (food, trash, and human waste) into energy through the use of bacteria and methane capturing. I would look closer at programs like those. Upgrade water and wastewater treatment facilities to achieve the highest possible environmental standards. Advertise the entire program as "looking toward the Olympics and the future of Pittsburgh".
The simplest solution to the overflow of demand during the Olympics is outsourcing to nearby cities and towns. There are certainly more than enough facilities in the region nearby Pittsburgh to handle the increase in demand. It will produce a much less environmental impact to ship waste out and bring additional resources (water and energy, etc) into the city than to build new facilities that will ultimately go unused after the event.
The simplest solution to the overflow of demand during the Olympics is outsourcing to nearby cities and towns. There are certainly more than enough facilities in the region nearby Pittsburgh to handle the increase in demand. It will produce a much less environmental impact to ship waste out and bring additional resources (water and energy, etc) into the city than to build new facilities that will ultimately go unused after the event.
Olympic Facilities
There is no getting around it, Pittsburgh doesn't have the required facilities to hold the events for the Olympics. Instead, I recommend following two courses of action:
Olympic Stadium & Park
Neville Island, Pittsburgh
My first thought for this was to building the Olympic Stadium, park, and grounds on Brunot Island. The island is within city limits and provides a good view of the city from down river. However, I realize the power generation plant is still in operation, making the island impossible to redevelop for Olympic purposes.
As a second option, I would consider the redevelopment of Neville Island, further down stream, into a massive Olympic Park (picture Flushing Meadows in NYC on Neville Island). Its in close proximity to the city and between the city and its airport, making a rail link simple and direct. Neville Island, an enormous and now unused industrial past development, shows the history and transformation of the city. And its a great opportunity to redevelop the island, something long overdue.
Design the park and surrounding grounds to continue to attract tourism even after the games. Unfortunately here is a stadium that will likely go into disuse after the games. I would recommend design and construction of the stadium with the intention to reduce it in size after the games. Pittsburgh has several professional and collegiate sports teams that may be interested in a new, Olympic quality stadium, but only if the size of the stadium is reduced.
As a second option, I would consider the redevelopment of Neville Island, further down stream, into a massive Olympic Park (picture Flushing Meadows in NYC on Neville Island). Its in close proximity to the city and between the city and its airport, making a rail link simple and direct. Neville Island, an enormous and now unused industrial past development, shows the history and transformation of the city. And its a great opportunity to redevelop the island, something long overdue.
Design the park and surrounding grounds to continue to attract tourism even after the games. Unfortunately here is a stadium that will likely go into disuse after the games. I would recommend design and construction of the stadium with the intention to reduce it in size after the games. Pittsburgh has several professional and collegiate sports teams that may be interested in a new, Olympic quality stadium, but only if the size of the stadium is reduced.
Aquatics Center
Factory near Pittsburgh
Again, this is facility that the city would have to invest in. I would recommend looking at sites in former brownfield sites or even re-purposing existing industrial facilities large enough to accommodate the aquatics center. I envision re-purposing an old factory or warehouse to meet the needs of an Olympic Aquatics Center. For example, taking the factory pictured to the left that has fallen into disrepair and upgrading the facade, structure, and interiors to meet specifications would reuse the old building in a unique and exciting way. Perhaps a glass atrium could be added to connect the two buildings.
Let other city's bids focus on building new, grandiose facilities while ignoring existing buildings. Pittsburgh can bring light to the reuse of existing buildings, such as any of the existing, vacant factories or warehouses.
Let other city's bids focus on building new, grandiose facilities while ignoring existing buildings. Pittsburgh can bring light to the reuse of existing buildings, such as any of the existing, vacant factories or warehouses.
Velodrome
Ruins of a Hippodrome
Here I have a unique idea of working with Phipps to develop the greenest stadium ever built; built to compliment their award winning conservatory. I would recommend building it near the Phipps Conservatory and designing it in such away that it can be partially deconstructed (recycling 100% of all materials removed) after the games. The remaining stadium grounds, columns, foundations, etc, can serve as a unique outdoor garden for the conservatory and a memorial to the Olympic Games held in Pittsburgh and the athletes that competed there. I would model the velodrome after some the great, similar facilities in Rome and Greece and even model the post-games gardens after what remains of those great facilities.
I imagine a facility modeled after the great arenas of the past, built in Pittsburgh. After the games, I picture a garden and public field in the footprint of the Olympic arena; similar to the one pictured to the left.
I imagine a facility modeled after the great arenas of the past, built in Pittsburgh. After the games, I picture a garden and public field in the footprint of the Olympic arena; similar to the one pictured to the left.
Field Sports
Pittsburgh has facilities for field sports, but probably not enough. PNC Park, Heinz Field and others. I would definitely recommend making use of the professional and collegiate stadiums in the city, but now is the time to enlist your neighbors. I would recommend talking with Cleveland, Morgantown, Harrisburg and Philadelphia to make use of their existing field stadiums.
Transportation may be a hurdle but I would hesitate to look immediately at the quick, short-sighted fix of expanding the airports. Pittsburgh's airport is already over-sized for it's needs. Instead, I would recommend airlines make complete use of their facilities in Pittsburgh's airport (perhaps push for expanded service to all of PIT's gates and maybe even leverage long term contracts), but ultimately I would look again towards the rails.
Instead of building new stadiums that would ultimately go to waste after the games, use that money to construct new high speed rail between Pittsburgh and its neighbors. But develop regional high speed rail corridors intelligently. Use highway right-of-ways between the cities (already straight, direct links), to avoid many of the necessary land purchases. More importantly, many of the necessary geological and environmental studies have already been completed for those highways. Building HSR on medians of existing highways avoids much of the pre-construction costs and links those cities via the already designed and developed corridors that have grown up around the highways.
Transportation may be a hurdle but I would hesitate to look immediately at the quick, short-sighted fix of expanding the airports. Pittsburgh's airport is already over-sized for it's needs. Instead, I would recommend airlines make complete use of their facilities in Pittsburgh's airport (perhaps push for expanded service to all of PIT's gates and maybe even leverage long term contracts), but ultimately I would look again towards the rails.
Instead of building new stadiums that would ultimately go to waste after the games, use that money to construct new high speed rail between Pittsburgh and its neighbors. But develop regional high speed rail corridors intelligently. Use highway right-of-ways between the cities (already straight, direct links), to avoid many of the necessary land purchases. More importantly, many of the necessary geological and environmental studies have already been completed for those highways. Building HSR on medians of existing highways avoids much of the pre-construction costs and links those cities via the already designed and developed corridors that have grown up around the highways.
Indoor Sports
Pittsburgh has indoor facilities, David L Lawrence Convention Center, Peterson Event Center, and Consol Center, but if that is simply not enough space, I would again ask neighboring cities for help (see Field Sports above). There is no reason to construct new facilities when existing facilities can be reused.
Funding
Government funds would be a big part of making the games possible. City, State, and Federal funding would need to come in to complete many of the projects. But, by sticking with the of reusing, repurposing, and planning for the future of Pittsburgh rather than the short-term goal of planning for the games only, you can decrease the cost of the games and stomach much of the remaining costs as needed upgrades to the city.
But more realistically, you'll have to look towards private funding to put together the games. Private developers can be enticed into the city to build hotels and even strengthen infrastructure. The many colleges and universities can be tapped for help with design and urban planning, marketing, etc. They can even help pay for some of the needed facilities on agreement that after the games, those facilities be turned over to those institutions. Finally, I would encourage the local and regional businesses to become involved. For example, use only US Steel products for structure on agreement that steel is provided for material and product costs only. The city may also want to sway similar deals with Alocoa and other materials companies. Enlist Pittsburgh based engineering firms to help with design if they remove overhead costs from their bids. Sponsorships are certainly not new to the games, bring in individual and corporate contributors to help foot some of the bill.
Finally, more as a disclaimer to avoid any potential confusion, the views and opinions expressed on this webpage do not represent the views and opinions of the City of Pittsburgh or any of the government bodies, institutions, and companies I have mentioned. This webpage is full of some great ideas, but they are my ideas alone and should not be taken to represent views of anyone else.
But more realistically, you'll have to look towards private funding to put together the games. Private developers can be enticed into the city to build hotels and even strengthen infrastructure. The many colleges and universities can be tapped for help with design and urban planning, marketing, etc. They can even help pay for some of the needed facilities on agreement that after the games, those facilities be turned over to those institutions. Finally, I would encourage the local and regional businesses to become involved. For example, use only US Steel products for structure on agreement that steel is provided for material and product costs only. The city may also want to sway similar deals with Alocoa and other materials companies. Enlist Pittsburgh based engineering firms to help with design if they remove overhead costs from their bids. Sponsorships are certainly not new to the games, bring in individual and corporate contributors to help foot some of the bill.
Finally, more as a disclaimer to avoid any potential confusion, the views and opinions expressed on this webpage do not represent the views and opinions of the City of Pittsburgh or any of the government bodies, institutions, and companies I have mentioned. This webpage is full of some great ideas, but they are my ideas alone and should not be taken to represent views of anyone else.
