[PRCo] will western PA survive?

[Dennis F. Cramer]

Butler will continue to show some growth with the new Westinghouse facility 
going into Cranberry, but I agree with Fred that the area is going through a 
slow drain that will not slow for quite a while.  The population advances in 
certain areas is, for the most part, nothing more than persons moving within 
the region.  There is no great influx of newbies.  There is a reason why 
they built a new national cemetery along I 79.

First time visitors are usually impressed because most people in the nation 
still think Pittsburgh is a filthy, smoky factory town.  It is cloudy a lot, 
the most cloudy days in the nation, but there are great museums, music 
organizations and some genuinely friendly people.  There are still thriving 
neighborhoods that give a unique flavor.  Unfortunately living off of 
hospitals and universities gives no local property tax into the coffers.

I highly doubt we will ever see any major improvements in mass transit. 
People here do not get it and neither do the developers.  Many politicos 
feel the answer to the traffic is to get all the busses out of downtown 
(quoted to a PAT route manager several years ago by some folks from city 
hall)  The highway system is a disaster and there is not much that can be 
done to improve it and we certainly seem to fight forever before anything 
gets done--remember the East Street?  How about 28?  They paid big bucks to 
a traffic consultation firm to find out they need more lanes to and from the 
airport.  DUH!

It is going to be interesting to watch the traffic patterns when the new 
casino opens on the Northshore.  Will people avoid it on game days or will 
it cause even fewer people to go to a Pirate game?  Football should not be a 
problem for them as there are only 20 or so events at Heinz Field a year for 
the Steelers & Pitt.  They also are planning another outdoor music venue 
over there.  Too bad they have not figured out that parking is needed and 
easy access.  WE are supposed to park downtown and take the "T" over.  Great 
idea, except they do not want to have any sort of yard on the Northshore to 
have many vehicles ready for the mass exodus.  One car at a time will not 
cut it.

We love to complain, that is part of the western PA lifestyle.  Luckily I do 
not live in Allegheny County anymore, but have to deal with the Point every 
time I travel to PTM.  As bad as 28 is, I can be out of town after a concert 
and in my driveway in 45 minutes on a Sunday.  We choose when we go to town 
to avoid the mess.  I go to PTM on weekends when I can get there in 70 to 75 
minutes.  Not bad for a 68 mile trip.  The worst coming home has never been 
over 2 hours.



Dennis F. Cramer
      Trombone