Pittsburgh’s AgencyCounter, a portal that allows people to view planning applications, building permits, enforcement cases and other documents processed by Pittsburgh officials, shows that nearly all buildings on campus have had new building permits and at least one building inspection violation in the past four years.Most of these problems are minor or do not affect students. One problem that does, however, is the lack of headlines on the Center for Media Innovation (CMI)’s news ticker. This is due to troubles with the Zoning Board.
A “Use Variance” request for the ticker sign, labeling use of the ticker as “non-advertising sign use,” was accepted in July 2023. Unlike the old CMI, which stayed in part of the former YWCA building on Wood Street, the location in West Penn Hall requires a “Use Variance” because it is in a different zoning district.
Running the ticker without this variance would cause a zoning violation, which can incur summary charges in court. This almost happened because of an unapproved sign in the CMI, but the charge was dropped in June. It is unclear if the unapproved sign is the inactive news ticker or one of the color screens that play video related to the School of Communications and CMI.
The ticker is supposed to show news headlines 24/7, but instead shows nothing at all.
Beyond the CMI, West Penn Hall’s building permit records are not nearly as drawn out, showing fire alarm permits, facade maintenance and ductwork reports.
At Conestoga Hall, an enforcement action was requested on Oct. 30 for a utility cut, which, according to the School of Professional Engineering, is when part of the road or concrete has to be cut open to access utility lines such as gas lines or sewer pipes. No additional details are available beyond this request.
Out of all the buildings on campus, Conestoga Hall has the most violations. Nearly all of the violations reference the fire suppression system, which span back to 2017. In April 2024, an investigation revealed that the building’s sprinkler system had “component failure.”
While the reason for this failure is not specified, sprinkler system problems are usually caused by human error, according to fire alarm servicing company Quick Response Fire Supply. The initial investigation by building inspectors started in February, with inspection reports for the fire alarm and pump systems not being provided until months after they were requested.
Regarding the late inspection reports, 7 Conestoga Associates LLC, the owner of the building, was charged with two summary offenses of “Record Not Provided – Required record of maintenance test” and “Materials and Strength.” Both charges relate to reports not being given to building inspectors. The last update on the case is from May 9, 2024, with the court awaiting a plea. The case is currently listed as inactive.
In terms of Lawrence Hall, the most recent documentation available on AgencyCounter is from January 2022, regarding new wiring for “fan coils” in the kitchen of the Dining Hall.
The Boulevard Apartments’ only recent report or citation is from August 2023, which relates to a broken sidewalk that was fixed by the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA). A broken sidewalk report is also the last available report for the Online Education building at 101 Wood St. However, this report is from 2017.
At Academic and Thayer Hall, the newest available report is from 2018. The report is related to a lack of professional engineer inspection for the building’s “structural soundness of facade, decorative features, overhang extensions, and chimneys & towers.” This has since been corrected.
The addition of the Professional Career Readiness Center (PCRC) in the Student Center basement is reflected by building permits for a space dedicated to “multi-purpose assembly and business use.” Besides permits to modify the sprinkler system in the Student Center to accommodate the PCRC, the most recent report relates to the basement’s occupancy permit being changed in March 2024.
Building permits reveal that a building addition and alteration permit for the Student Center renovations was submitted on Dec. 22, 2021. The permit was not approved until Feb. 7, 2022.
Lastly, the University Center and Pittsburgh Playhouse have the largest number of building records out of all buildings on campus. However, most are over five years old and relate to construction and occupancy permits for the Playhouse.
The most recent documentation for both spaces is an illegal dumping violation on Jun. 11, 2024. The only listed action taken was a referral to “social services.”
