Public favors U.S. Steel Tower view open to all

If it were up to the public, the top of Downtown's U.S. Steel Tower would be open to all to view the stunning panorama.

An online poll conducted by the Post-Gazette beginning last Sunday drew an enormous response, with 96 percent voting "Yes" for public access. And 42 percent said they'd be willing to pay up to $10 for the opportunity.

The top of the 64-story Downtown landmark has been closed since the 2001 terrorist attacks. But with UPMC recently announcing plans to move its executive offices to the city's tallest building -- including to the top rentable space on the 62nd floor -- I suggested in a column last week that the health-care giant create a public viewing facility.

"Not only would it afford an incredible view of the city, but this space could provide historical context -- exhibits and photographs to allow visitors to compare the vistas with our historical beginnings -- perhaps as an extension of the Western Pennsylvania History Center," wrote architect Sylvester Damianos, who was among several dozen readers who sent me e-mails or made phone calls in support.

Another reader, Andrew Golden, suggested that the space might be used by UPMC and other corporations to display what great services and products are produced in the area. "It could be the ambassador for the city and region," he wrote.

Similar high points of other cities have become big attractions for both residents and visitors. I was thinking of New York City, Chicago and Toronto when I wrote that column, but several readers said Baltimore just opened "Top of the World," a public observation area on the 27th floor of its World Trade Center overlooking the city's Inner Harbor. (The top of the U.S. Steel Tower would be 35 floors higher than that!)

The poll drew more than 1,870 respondents Eighty folks (4 percent) said not to reopen the top to the public; more than 1,000 (54 percent) said they'd visit, but only if it were free; 676 (36 percent) would be willing to pay $10; 72 (4 percent) would fork over up to $20, while 42 people (2 percent) would be willing to pay more than $20 for the view.

In e-mails, letters and calls, several readers suggested involving other area institutions, such as Carnegie Museum, the Chamber of Commerce, VisitPittsburgh, the Allegheny Conference, the Downtown Partnership, along with the city's 250th celebrations.

David Malehorn, a research assistant professor at Hillman Cancer Center, laid out a multistep process for bringing the promenade to reality, complete with ideas about fund-raising sources to see the project to completion.

Jon Luptak, of the American Lung Association of Pennsylvania, was involved with the Climb Pittsburgh event last March, which scaled the steps inside One Oxford Centre, an event held in 15 other cities. He's already preparing a proposal to switch the venue for Climb Pittsburgh II to the U.S. Steel Tower.

"The view from here is indescribable (although it took me a year before I could look out the window. I have a fear of heights)," said Bertha Campbell, who works on the tower's 41st floor.

"Your suggestion is excellent. I think the visitors who come from all over the world should be able to take advantage of the view. I am sure they would not have a problem paying a minimal fee. I had a visitor here from the U.K. who loved the view from Mount Washington. Can you imagine what people would say if they could see Pittsburgh from its highest point!"

But of course, the key player in this team is UPMC itself.

Opening access would be consistent with the Pittsburgh-proud position UPMC propounds in its high-production advertising campaigns. I'm sure local initiatives at getting people in shape and reducing obesity could be greatly furthered by a Climb Pittsburgh event.

But all this enthusiasm notwithstanding, the key opinion regarding this notion is UPMC itself.

Asked for a comment, UPMC spokesman Frank Raczkiewicz responded, "While it is an intriguing suggestion, managing or leasing restaurants or sustaining a visitors bureau is not something we do. Since the space that has stood empty since 2001 will be converted into offices, a public observatory is also not a feasible option. However, we anticipate that we will periodically host community and/or charitable events in the U.S. Steel Tower which will give members of the public a chance to share the view while they contribute to worthwhile causes."

While that may not be the answer the public might have wanted, it's clearly UPMC's call.

Still one never knows how these things will work out.

That's the great thing about pie-in-the-sky ideas.