City Cast Pittsburgh
👀 Drone footage of Century III demolition
December 17, 2024 · — Francesca Dabecco
What if Allegheny County had its own Spotify Wrapped? Yes, like the year-end roundup of your most-listened songs 🎶🎧 but instead for all of the biggest happenings of 2024. We’re talking more housing, a hiring blitz, elections, a budget fight, a tax increase, and even a proclamation for a former hockey star.
On today’s City Cast Pittsburgh podcast, host Megan Harris is playing a game with County Executive Sara Innamorato — inspired by Spotify’s stats compilation — and putting her to the test with a few fun facts from her first full year in office.
What's CITY Talking About?
🚧 Inside Century III Mall’s Demolition
Local leaders are celebrating a $1 million investment from the state to help rehabilitate the former Century III Mall site in West Mifflin; the total cost of the renovation is estimated at $15 million. [KDKA]
- 🛍️ What happened to Century III? Shopping mall enthusiast Matthew Newton explains what went wrong — and why the mall was so beloved. [City Cast Pittsburgh]
- 👀 Take a look at photographer Andrew Rush’s drone footage of the demolition so far. [@arushphoto]
🏈 Former Pitt Football Player, Kiosk Owner Dies
Charles Bonasorte, who played on Pitt’s 1976 national championship team and was known as “Kamikazie Kid,” died on Friday. Locals and Pitt students know Bonasorte from Pittsburgh Stop Inc., his kiosk selling Pitt merch near the Cathedral of Learning in Oakland. [TribLive]
🎉 50 Years of Black Art on Display
Now through March, you can find more than 50 years of local Black art on display at BOOM Concept’s new “Collective Legacy II” exhibit at Frick Environmental Center. The arts organization — which serves as a creative hub for Black, Brown, queer and femme artists — is also celebrating its 10th anniversary. [Union Progress]
Where Is It?
Let’s play a game! Where in Pittsburgh can you find this glowing sign for a steaming bowl of pho? 👀🍜
🌟 Congrats to Tiffany L., Kim C., Emily G., and Corey E. who correctly guessed the last “Where Is It?” challenge! ⬇️
Still need to do some holiday shopping? Find Pittsburgh gifts at Steel City in Shadyside, Downtown, or Cranberry. Or, if you know someone who likes to rep unique Pittsburgh stories, gift them a membership to Steel City’s Tee Club. Every month, they’ll get a new design inspired by our city’s history — like the Pittsburgh Powderkegs women’s football team or Hill District's Freedom House Ambulance Service.
👀 Looking for more to see and do?
- 📖 Cozy up with a book from Pittsburgh’s indie bookstores
- 🐦 Join the 125th annual Christmas Bird Count
- 🍝 Take a cooking class with local food and drink experts
- 🥂 Sip on something festive at these holiday pop-up bars
- 🥃 Order (or make) a historic cocktail from early 1900s McKeesport
- ❄️ Finish out the month with our guide to December in Pittsburgh
What To Do
Tuesday, Dec. 17
- 🍸 Cocktails & Conversations: A Woman’s Place at Heinz History Center | 6-7:30 p.m. | $0-10 | Strip District
- 📚 Storytime Spotlight with the August Wilson Center | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | free | virtual
- 🎤 Story Club PGH Story Slam at City of Asylum | 7-8:30 p.m. | free | North Side, virtual
- 🎵New Æon Vinyl Record Set with dj.william at The Government Center | 9 p.m. | free | East Allegheny
Wednesday, Dec. 18
- 🎵 Babesburgh Holiday Music Bingo at Mt. Lebanon Taproom | 7-9 p.m. | $2+ | Mt. Lebanon
- 🎶 Winter Wonders and Cool Carols at Phipps Conservatory | 8 p.m. | $25+ | Oakland
- 🪩 Black and Bold Party | 8 p.m. - 12 a.m. | $35 | Downtown
Thursday, Dec. 19
- 🌬️ Mind Blown Arts & Culture: Dreamscapes at Community Forge | 5-8 p.m. | $15+ | Wilkinsburg
- 📽️ The Muppet Christmas Carol at Two Frays Brewery | 7 p.m. | free | Garfield
- ❄️ Seasonal Wellness Party at Village Therapy | 7-9 p.m. | $40 | Glenshaw
- 🧶 Queer Craft Night at Assemble | 7-9 p.m. | $20 | Garfield
- 🌕 Christmas On The Moon, Baby at Spirit | 8-11:59 p.m. | $18+ | Lawrenceville
Did yinz hear about the guy who ran a game day parking lot scam on the North Side? Police busted him after he put on a parking attendant vest and charged $50 per spot at a lot he didn’t own 🤣
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