Infamy! Infamy! They've All Got It In For Me!

Category: Local Businesses, Mon Valley Miscellany || By

At the risk of tooting my own horn: Toot! Thank you, Brian O'Neill, for noticing this little stagnant backwater of the Internet.

This is not the first time I've made it into a column in the Post-Gazette. When I was in high school, Peter Leo quoted some letters I had written to him. (Yeah, and that and a quarter won't even get you a cup of coffee.)

Some people have claimed that those early publishing successes led me to become a writer, but I think that's a terrible thing to blame on Peter.

I've had a very gratifying response to my newfound fame. So far, three people have noticed.

Despite that tepid response, I suspect the column was probably very well read. It was on page 2, in between two very picturesque ads for breast enlargement surgery. It caught my attention right away.

In the meantime, I'm reminded of the exchange in "Blazing Saddles" between Cleavon Little and Gene Wilder:

"I'm becoming a real underground success story in this town."
"Yeah, soon they'll be willing to say hello to you in broad daylight."

Seriously, it's always flattering to have someone notice what you do, and comment on it. (Well, almost always.)

And I'm very impressed that Brian was able to synthesize my dribblings into something that sounded reasonably intelligent.

That's more than any of my editors has ever done.

. . .

In Other Business: In the comments on Friday's Almanac, Alert Reader Donn wonders what a new owner could do with The People's Building:

Our downtown is not going to rebound, housing for seniors should not cohabitate with a "sober living community" and what retailer would want the once choice location? A Jenkins Arcade concept is no longer economically feasible albeit would be most welcome.

Downtown is not going to rebound in the sense of becoming a major shopping district again.

But if I were marketing Downtown, I'd push it as a place for low-cost "back office" space. The success of the Dish Network call center in the old National Works property proves that McKeesport is well suited for functions that don't require a retail presence, but which are labor intensive and require high-speed telephone and computer connections. Rents are a fraction of those in Monroeville or Cranberry.

I had a plan for the People's Building about two years ago that I'm happy to repeat:

1. Demolish the empty retail space next door (the former Ruben's Furniture, recently a D&K store) to create a loading dock


2. Install a generator and uninterrupted power supply where the bank vault used to be


3. Bring high-speed Internet capability to the building


4. Renovate the building floor by floor


5. Put a Kinko's or UPS store on the first floor


6. Put a vending area/snack bar on the mezzanine


7. Renovate the Lysle Boulevard parking garage


8. Build a security-controlled pedestrian bridge to the parking garage

Yeah, I know. I have a lot of ideas for spending other people's money.

But none of that seems unworkable. And it sounds like a scheme that would attract small start-up businesses --- web designers, writers, computer programmers --- who wouldn't mind being in a funky old building in McKeesport.

Don't we have some entrepreneurs around who might be willing to make it happen?

. . .

Finally: I know I didn't mention this yet, but I don't really have anything to say except for "Whoooo-hoooooooo!!!"

I think this is the first-ever PIAA title for Serra Catholic in 45 years.

(Like I said, if they've been recruiting, as detractors often allege, they've done a poor job.)

Incidentally, several people have congratulated me on the victory.

Um, for what? Wearing a Serra sweatshirt? Graduating from high school 15-plus years ago?

No, no, no. I didn't do anything. Skeeter Rozanski and his team did everything.

Besides, have you ever seen me play basketball? Pigs on ice are more graceful.

On the other hand, as Brian O'Neill pointed out, I am a proud (but defiant) graduate.

Go Eagles! Baseball and softball season are both here ...

Your Comments are Welcome!

The People’s Building would make for a great place for a model railroad club, would it not, Jason?
The Dude from West Mifflin - March 18, 2008

No! Absolutely not! I just spent three days installing a new burglar alarm at the current model railroad club! Don’t go moving it now! :-)

And we have our own parking lot.

OK, we have CP Industries parking lot. But I did send them three dozen donuts at Christmas.

2209 Walnut St., folks, just south of Sunoco Joe’s.
Webmaster - March 18, 2008

Yeah, but what was the point of O’Neill giving a shout-out to that other guy, your “email correspondent?” His name was a horrific garble of consonants. Had to be a fake name.

And…ummm…there’s a McKeesport Model Railroad Club? Ol’ Hardscrabble and young Hardscrabble Jr. spend many a weekend hour trying to find new train-oriented activities in which to indulge. Is it open to visitors on the weekends?
hardscrabble harry (URL) - March 18, 2008

Yes, Virginia. There is a McKeesport Model Railroad Club:

http://www.mckeesportmodelrr.org/

You just missed our annual train show. Things are kind of in … disarray right now. But they always are. :^)

Friday nights there’s usually someone around. Let me know when you’re coming, and I’ll make sure we have some people to run trains.
Webmaster - March 18, 2008

“So far, three people have noticed.”

Make that 4. :)
Mari - March 18, 2008

Yes, there is much to celebrate in regards to Pittsburgh’s rebirth.
But those with their heads in the sand should take a drive through Braddock, West Elizabeth, Monongahela, Donora, Monessen, Charleroi, Fayette City, Brownsville, West Brownsville, .....
Scott Beveridge (URL) - March 18, 2008

Jumping on the bandwagon, I, too noticed the Brian O’Neill Column!!
Bill - March 19, 2008

Solid ideas for the People’s building. I just may know a guy…. ;)

I’ll keep you “posted”.

~Councilman Shelly
‘
Paul Shelly (URL) - March 20, 2008

You called him Skeeter??? Hoo man, he’s gonna’ come after you with a chainsaw. I’ve heard urban legends that he’d rather have people insult his stache than call him that.
Keith Paradise - March 21, 2008

Aw, the statute of limitations has expired on my diploma, Keith.

Besides, it’s a nice nickname.

There are much worse ones. I’ve been called most of those … some of ‘em deservedly.
Webmaster - March 21, 2008

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