SouthSide Working to rival Waterfront

A Pittsburgh-based development company has taken an upscale approach to develop land that was… A Pittsburgh-based development company has taken an upscale approach to develop land that was once a steel mill.

According to Jean Mignogna, vice president of marketing for the Soffer Organization, the recently developed SouthSide Works is positioned in the perfect spot. Located off of East Carson Street in the South Side, the development is easily accessible to everyone, including college students and Pittsburgh business professionals, and features restaurants, high-end retail stores, a movie theater, office space and housing.

A number of eating establishments, such as the Cheesecake Factory, the Hot Metal Grille, and the Claddagh Irish Pub have already opened up shop, along with retailers such as Joseph-Beth Booksellers and Urban Outfitters. Other stores such as American Eagle Outfitters, BCBG, Torque Denim, Sisley and United Colors of Benetton are expected to open by the end of the year.

An 84-unit housing development called The Flats at SouthSide Works was also recently constructed in the complex. It consists of brand new flat- and loft-style apartments.

But unlike most shopping centers, the SouthSide Works does not have a large parking lot. Patrons can take the chance of finding one of the few metered parking spots on the street or make use of an on-site parking garage.

On Monday through Friday until 6:00 p.m., fees range from $3-$15 depending upon the length of time for parking. These rates drop dramatically for evenings and weekends, when parking costs $1 an hour, but the lack of free parking at the SouthSide Works is an issue keeping some Pitt students away.

Senior Tracy Kolich said that she would prefer to go to the Waterfront because, “there is more to do [there], and parking is free.”

A solution to this problem is soon to come. From March 31 through April 24, the development will sponsor a free shuttle service to SouthSide Works for Pitt, Carnegie Mellon University and Chatham College students. The shuttle will run every 30 minutes from Thursday through Sunday, from 6:20 p.m. until 1:20 a.m.

“The shuttle service will track the passenger count and use those numbers in deciding the service for the fall semester. If those numbers are high during the test period, they will continue in the summer months,” Mignogna said.

Students will be picked up and dropped off at the SouthSide Works on 28th and Sidney Streets. Until the free shuttle service begins, students without access to a car can take the 84A, 84B and 54C buses.

Kolich said that even the free student shuttle would not make her choose to spend the evening at the SouthSide Works instead of the Waterfront.

“The waits for restaurants are less at the Waterfront, and I already know what I’m getting,” Kolich said.

Kolich is not the only Pitt student who feels this way.

Graduate student Robyn Wheeler said that she believes the stores at the Waterfront to be more practical and accessible than those of the SouthSide Works.

With all of the new businesses opening in the SouthSide Works, the Soffer Organization wanted to make sure that the local South Side establishments did not resent the presence of the new complex. To ensure that the project will not hurt local businesses, Mignogna said that the Soffer Organization works with a South Side community group.

Mignogna said that the SouthSide Works offers a different variety of businesses than those already situated in the SouthSide area.

“If someone likes Fat Head’s wings, they’re gonna go to Fat Head’s for wings,” Mignogna explained.

Eventually the Soffer Organization plans to build a second phase of the SouthSide Works complex. It will be built along the river and be called “Tunnel Park,” and will contain restaurants, a fitness center, a hotel and a park, with access to the river.