Planning board OKs Mt. Washington development

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - November 11, 2009

By Mark Belko

Jim Nolan witnessed the famous flag raising on Iwo Jima in 1945 during World War II. Now, the 84-year-old veteran wants to be the one to hoist the flag at the opening of an ambitious $90 million hotel and condominium development on Mount Washington.

He may get his chance.

Much to Mr. Nolan's delight, city planning commission members cleared the way for the One Grandview Avenue project yesterday by unanimously recommending a zoning change and approving a preliminary land development plan for the venture.

The zoning change, from a mix of Grandview public realm, local neighborhood commercial, and multifamily to a residential and commercial planned unit development district, now goes before city council for a vote.

Developer Steven Beemsterboer said after yesterday's vote that he hoped to break ground on the project a year from now. He and architect Charles L. Desmone are proposing to build a 110-room luxury hotel and up to 55 condominiums on a four-acre parcel at the site of the former Edge restaurant, which has been vacant for more than 20 years and which has been characterized as an eyesore.

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