What went wrong with Century III Mall?

Billy Porter To Help Revitalize Homewood Landmark

Pittsburgh native actor Billy Porter is teaming up with celebrity chef Rachael Ray to remake the Homewood Coliseum. Their proposal includes restoring the roller rink and adding education facilities for arts, culinary, and film work. In the 1890s, the building held more than 100 streetcars. [90.5 WESA]

• Meanwhile, Porter says he has to sell his house because of financial strain from the ongoing SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes. [TribLIVE]

Filling Vacant Downtown Storefronts

A new initiative from the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP) called Project Pop-Up will help entrepreneurs and retailers move into empty storefronts. Those selected will get rent-free accommodations for the first six to 12 months. Applications are due by Sept. 4. [Pittsburgh Magazine]

• New data from the PDP shows Downtown is bouncing back from pandemic losses with a 97% recovery rate in visitors and an overall 81% recovery in visitors, office workers, and residents. [TribLIVE]
• A Point Park University study suggests that the Golden Triangle could be improved with public restrooms, public garbage and recycling receptacles, and lights and cameras in alleys. [TribLIVE]
• 🎧 Why’s it so hard to find a bathroom Downtown? [City Cast Pittsburgh]

Pgh Students Use the Most Private Loans

About 10% of public university students nationwide who graduated with a bachelor's degree took out private loans in the 2020-21 academic year, but that number is much higher at some local universities: 24% at Duquesne, 20% at Pitt’s main campus, 35% at Chatham, and 35% at Point Park. CMU was the lowest at 7%. The data raises questions about affordability, as private loans offer fewer protections than federal loans. [PublicSource]

• Know a college kid moving in soon? Tell them about VisitPITTSBURGH’s new BURGH101 badge for food, beverage, and attraction discounts. Incoming students and their families can get passes shipped to them this week.

🚲 Free Ride Open Shop | Tuesday | 6-9 p.m.

Use Free Ride’s tools to fix your bike or buy a new set of wheels. [free, Point Breeze North]

🌳 Be Kind to Your Mind | Wednesday | 5-6 p.m.

Find peace with  yoga, meditation, and breathwork in Schenley Plaza. [free, Oakland]

🎶 50 Years of Hip Hop | Wednesday | 5-9 p.m.

Celebrate the 8th Annual She Matters Equity Summit with performances by Spinderella and DJ KK on the Gateway Clipper. [$75, Station Square]

🎧 Experimental Eve | Thursday | 7-11:30 p.m.

Join Mixtape for an evening of new sound from Pittsburgh’s best experimental artists. [$10, Garfield]

What Happened to Century III Mall?

Century III Mall is condemned, but that doesn’t mean it's getting demolished — at least not yet. But it is an eyesore and it's pretty unsafe, so if it's not possible to bring it back to life anymore, what should happen next?

Writer, publisher, and shopping mall enthusiast Matthew Newton is here to share our nostalgia and explain exactly what went wrong. Check out his beautiful tome “Shopping Mall,” too!