.gif)
South Side (Pittsburgh)
Encyclopedia
South Side is an area in Pittsburgh
, Pennsylvania
, USA, located along the Monongahela River
across from Downtown Pittsburgh. The South Side is officially divided into two neighborhoods, South Side Flats and South Side Slopes. Both the Flats and the Slopes are represented on Pittsburgh City Council
by Bruce Kraus
. The business district stretches along East Carson Street, which is home to many small shops, restaurants and bars. In 2006, more than 80 bars and pubs operated in the South Side Flats. The neighborhood has an urban fabric with rowhouses.
The South Side is well-connected with public transit. Its proximity and public transit connections also have attracted professionals who work downtown. Pittsburgh Fire Station #24 is located on Mary Street in the neighborhood.
then later Eastern Europe
an immigrants who came to Pittsburgh to work in heavy industry. Dr. Nathaniel Bedford planned a large part of Birmingham and named many streets after his friends and family, thus the predominance of streets named after people such as Jane, Sarah, and Carson.
In more recent years, the South Side has become home to a larger student population. Many students at Duquesne University
, University of Pittsburgh
, and Carnegie Mellon University
either live in the South Side or spend a portion of their nightlife there. A walk over the South Tenth Street Bridge
that crosses the Monongahela River
takes students to Duquesne University
. Due to the large number of college students and young professionals, in addition to the thriving bar scene, South Side has developed into a nightlife destination for young people in Pittsburgh.
makes South Side easily accessible from Pittsburgh, which is around 2 miles away from South Side . Station Square
is about 1.5 miles west of South Side, and Mt. Washington is only 2.5 miles away. The average South Side family income in 2003 was $41,353.
South Sides E. Carson St. has restaurants, bars, and shops that help support the economy of South Side. Some bars and restaurants include Jack's Bar, Fat Heads Saloon, The HKAN Hookah Bar, and over 50 others. The large variety of shopping along E. Carson Street and SouthSide Works
is also a factor in South Sides economy. There are a variety of locally owned stores such as Pittsburgh Jeans Co. and wide spread stores such as American Eagle, H&M
, and Nine West
. The Urban Redevelopment Authority started the SouthSide Works
project hoping to create over 6,000 jobs . Today, SouthSide Works has over 10 shopping stores and over 10 restaurants & bars . The restoration of the business district has improved South Sides economy dramatically and house sales have jumped $ 75,000 in the past 10 years along with vacancy dropping below 10% .
South Side Local Development Company (LDC) helps the economic development in the neighborhood. Under LDC, the Neighborhood Assistance Program was created. The NAP is partners with PNC bank and able to fund programs to create jobs and housing production with their $2.5 million grant. Since 1982, LDC has created over 250 new businesses, renovated over 200 stores, and built over 700 new homes . South Sides redeveloped downtown has increased apartment sales and attracted a lot of nightlife in the neighborhood .
main street
s in the United States. The entire length of East Carson Street is designated as a historic district
. Strict rules dictate what the exterior of the buildings can look like. This neighborhood is a prime example of adaptive reuse
of historic structures to spur community revitalization. One of the famous steel mills of Pittsburgh, the Jones and Laughlin Steel Company
was located on the South Side but closed in the 1980s and today the land is home to the SouthSide Works
shopping and entertainment complex. In the 1980s, this neighborhood was rapidly declining but historic preservation propelled it to a new and bright future. Today, the South Side is a desirable city neighborhood and is known for its multitude of bars and restaurants. The South Side is a popular destination for Pittsburgh residents who seek an entertaining nightlife.
The popularity of the neighborhood has costs. Older, life-long residents often clash with the values of the young urban professionals and students moving in. Also, parking
in the South Side is among the tightest in the city, as narrow streets and high density of buildings leave little empty street space.
Public steps are not rare in the hilly city of Pittsburgh. The city has over 700 sets of steps providing access to otherwise unreachable neighborhoods. The trek up these steps is often well worth it, as hikers are rewarded with yet another of Pittsburgh's stunning hillside views.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, USA, located along the Monongahela River
Monongahela River
The Monongahela River is a river on the Allegheny Plateau in north-central West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania in the United States...
across from Downtown Pittsburgh. The South Side is officially divided into two neighborhoods, South Side Flats and South Side Slopes. Both the Flats and the Slopes are represented on Pittsburgh City Council
Pittsburgh City Council
The Pittsburgh City Council is the legislative body of the City of Pittsburgh. It consists of nine members. City council members are chosen by plurality elections in each of nine districts....
by Bruce Kraus
Bruce Kraus
Bruce A. Kraus is an American politician and businessman from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He has served since January 2008 on Pittsburgh City Council, representing the 3rd district neighborhoods of South Side Flats, South Side Slopes, Beltzhoover, Knoxville, Arlington, Arlington Heights, Allentown,...
. The business district stretches along East Carson Street, which is home to many small shops, restaurants and bars. In 2006, more than 80 bars and pubs operated in the South Side Flats. The neighborhood has an urban fabric with rowhouses.
The South Side is well-connected with public transit. Its proximity and public transit connections also have attracted professionals who work downtown. Pittsburgh Fire Station #24 is located on Mary Street in the neighborhood.
History
The South Side, most of which was originally the village of Birmingham that was annexed to the city in 1872, was settled primarily by GermanGermans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
then later Eastern Europe
Eastern Europe
Eastern Europe is the eastern part of Europe. The term has widely disparate geopolitical, geographical, cultural and socioeconomic readings, which makes it highly context-dependent and even volatile, and there are "almost as many definitions of Eastern Europe as there are scholars of the region"...
an immigrants who came to Pittsburgh to work in heavy industry. Dr. Nathaniel Bedford planned a large part of Birmingham and named many streets after his friends and family, thus the predominance of streets named after people such as Jane, Sarah, and Carson.
In more recent years, the South Side has become home to a larger student population. Many students at Duquesne University
Duquesne University
Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit is a private Catholic university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded by members of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, Duquesne first opened its doors as the Pittsburgh Catholic College of the Holy Ghost in October 1878 with an enrollment of...
, University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
, and Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University is a private research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States....
either live in the South Side or spend a portion of their nightlife there. A walk over the South Tenth Street Bridge
South Tenth Street Bridge
South Tenth Street Bridge, most often called the Tenth Street Bridge, but officially dubbed the Philip Murray Bridge, is a suspension bridge spanning the Monongahela River in Downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
that crosses the Monongahela River
Monongahela River
The Monongahela River is a river on the Allegheny Plateau in north-central West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania in the United States...
takes students to Duquesne University
Duquesne University
Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit is a private Catholic university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded by members of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, Duquesne first opened its doors as the Pittsburgh Catholic College of the Holy Ghost in October 1878 with an enrollment of...
. Due to the large number of college students and young professionals, in addition to the thriving bar scene, South Side has developed into a nightlife destination for young people in Pittsburgh.
Economy
Important streets in South Side are E. Carson Street, Josephine Street, and S. 18th street. The business district is located along E. Carson Street, which runs the length of South Side. The Birmingham BridgeBirmingham Bridge
The Birmingham Bridge is a tied arch bridge in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which crosses over the Monongahela River. The bridge connects East Carson Street on the South Side with Fifth and Forbes Avenues going to Uptown, Oakland, and the Hill District.-History:The Birmingham Bridge was built in 1976...
makes South Side easily accessible from Pittsburgh, which is around 2 miles away from South Side . Station Square
Station Square
Station Square is a indoor and outdoor shopping, dining and entertainment complex located in the South Shore neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States....
is about 1.5 miles west of South Side, and Mt. Washington is only 2.5 miles away. The average South Side family income in 2003 was $41,353.
South Sides E. Carson St. has restaurants, bars, and shops that help support the economy of South Side. Some bars and restaurants include Jack's Bar, Fat Heads Saloon, The HKAN Hookah Bar, and over 50 others. The large variety of shopping along E. Carson Street and SouthSide Works
Southside Works
SouthSide Works is an open-air retail, office, entertainment, and residential complex located on the South Side of the city of Pittsburgh and just across the Monongahela River from the Pittsburgh Technology Center and the University of Pittsburgh...
is also a factor in South Sides economy. There are a variety of locally owned stores such as Pittsburgh Jeans Co. and wide spread stores such as American Eagle, H&M
H&M
H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB is a Swedish retail-clothing company, known for its fast-fashion clothing offerings for women, men, teenagers and children....
, and Nine West
Nine West
Nine West is a fashion wholesale and retail company best known for quickly translating runway trends into styles attainable by mass consumers. Initially founded as a fashion footwear brand, Nine West has since expanded into handbags, sunglasses, legwear, outerwear, jewelry, belts, watches, cold...
. The Urban Redevelopment Authority started the SouthSide Works
Southside Works
SouthSide Works is an open-air retail, office, entertainment, and residential complex located on the South Side of the city of Pittsburgh and just across the Monongahela River from the Pittsburgh Technology Center and the University of Pittsburgh...
project hoping to create over 6,000 jobs . Today, SouthSide Works has over 10 shopping stores and over 10 restaurants & bars . The restoration of the business district has improved South Sides economy dramatically and house sales have jumped $ 75,000 in the past 10 years along with vacancy dropping below 10% .
South Side Local Development Company (LDC) helps the economic development in the neighborhood. Under LDC, the Neighborhood Assistance Program was created. The NAP is partners with PNC bank and able to fund programs to create jobs and housing production with their $2.5 million grant. Since 1982, LDC has created over 250 new businesses, renovated over 200 stores, and built over 700 new homes . South Sides redeveloped downtown has increased apartment sales and attracted a lot of nightlife in the neighborhood .
South Side Flats
The Flats has one of the largest VictorianVictorian architecture
The term Victorian architecture refers collectively to several architectural styles employed predominantly during the middle and late 19th century. The period that it indicates may slightly overlap the actual reign, 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901, of Queen Victoria. This represents the British and...
main street
Main Street
Main Street is the metonym for a generic street name of the primary retail street of a village, town, or small city in many parts of the world...
s in the United States. The entire length of East Carson Street is designated as a historic district
Historic district
A historic district or heritage district is a section of a city which contains older buildings considered valuable for historical or architectural reasons. In some countries, historic districts receive legal protection from development....
. Strict rules dictate what the exterior of the buildings can look like. This neighborhood is a prime example of adaptive reuse
Adaptive reuse
Adaptive reuse refers to the process of reusing an old site or building for a purpose other than which it was built or designed for. Along with brownfield reclamation, adaptive reuse is seen by many as a key factor in land conservation and the reduction of urban sprawl...
of historic structures to spur community revitalization. One of the famous steel mills of Pittsburgh, the Jones and Laughlin Steel Company
Jones and Laughlin Steel Company
The earliest foundations of Jones and Laughlin Steel Company were the American Iron Company, founded in 1851 by Bernard Lauth, and B. F. Jones founded in 1852a few miles south of Pittsburgh along the Monongahela River. Lauth's interest was bought in 1854 by James H. Laughlin...
was located on the South Side but closed in the 1980s and today the land is home to the SouthSide Works
Southside Works
SouthSide Works is an open-air retail, office, entertainment, and residential complex located on the South Side of the city of Pittsburgh and just across the Monongahela River from the Pittsburgh Technology Center and the University of Pittsburgh...
shopping and entertainment complex. In the 1980s, this neighborhood was rapidly declining but historic preservation propelled it to a new and bright future. Today, the South Side is a desirable city neighborhood and is known for its multitude of bars and restaurants. The South Side is a popular destination for Pittsburgh residents who seek an entertaining nightlife.
The popularity of the neighborhood has costs. Older, life-long residents often clash with the values of the young urban professionals and students moving in. Also, parking
Parking
Parking is the act of stopping a vehicle and leaving it unoccupied for more than a brief time. Parking on one or both sides of a road is commonly permitted, though often with restrictions...
in the South Side is among the tightest in the city, as narrow streets and high density of buildings leave little empty street space.
South Side Slopes
The South Side Slopes is the very steep neighborhood located just south of what is traditionally thought of as the South Side but is more appropriately the South Side Flats. Sections of the Slopes are so steep that special fire trucks have to be used to navigate the zigzagging maze of narrow streets. Some spots are so steep that public staircases actually serve as the street. These public steps have street signs and houses located along them.Public steps are not rare in the hilly city of Pittsburgh. The city has over 700 sets of steps providing access to otherwise unreachable neighborhoods. The trek up these steps is often well worth it, as hikers are rewarded with yet another of Pittsburgh's stunning hillside views.
Gallery
See also
- List of Pittsburgh neighborhoods
- Bloom Cigar CompanyBloom Cigar CompanyThe Bloom Cigar Company is an iconic and internationally-known Pittsburgh-based premium cigar store. Founded in 1955, Bloom Cigar Company is the Pittsburgh area's largest retail and wholesale distributor of cigars...
, an iconic South Side cigar store - History of Pittsburgh's South SideHistory of Pittsburgh's South Side- History :In 1763, King George III provided John Ormsby approximately along the south bank of the Monongahela River as payment for his services during the French and Indian War. The land was then divided into four boroughs: South Pittsburgh, Birmingham, East Birmingham, and Ormsby. The four...