💰 Point Park wants to buy what?

Good News for the Three Rivers Heritage Trail

The state named a stretch between Millvale and Etna second on its list of top 10 trail gaps, which makes it a priority candidate for state and federal funding. Closing the gap would give northern communities a car-free route into Pittsburgh, but physical constraints like steep hills and railroad tracks have made it challenging. [WESA]

Point Park Eyes Two Downtown Landmarks

The university applied for state funding to renovate a historic former Mellon Bank branch and the former headquarters of the YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh in order to create more student housing and facilities. [🔒 Pittsburgh Business Journal]

• Enrollment is up at Point Park. This fall,the university ran out of dorm rooms for incoming freshmen and put up some students in a hotel. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

Do You Have a Favorite Pumpkin Beer?

Our team tried 13 local flavors, from Southern Tier's classic Pumking to East End's beloved Nunkin Ale. And spoiler: there was a clear winner. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

• Did we miss yours? Call or text our PUMPKIN BEER HOTLINE at 412-212-8893.

City Starts Work On Rightsizing Project

Despite an emergency injunction, Pittsburgh moved forward with the Penn Avenue rightsizing project between 22nd and 31st streets, where officials are removing a lane of car traffic to add a bike lane. Milling is complete and pavement markings begin this week. [City of Pittsburgh]

• A group of Strip District business owners sued to stop the project. Find out why. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

If you, like me, are always looking for a good deal, you might’ve heard of MAC.BID, the mysterious discount warehouses popping up around our region. With treadmills at close to 90% off and a $2,049 vanity going for about $60, it may seem like a dream come true or the most confusing of all scams. The truth is a lot more complicated.

Is It a Scam?

MAC.BID is not a scam, despite some of the complaints on its Better Business Bureau’s page. (It does have an A- rating!) However, it isn’t a traditional business. MAC.BID is a liquidator, which means it buys overstocked or returned goods at a massive discount and then resells them. T.J. Maxx is also a liquidator, except they buy overstocked designer items — not returned items.

Here's where things can get tricky. Sometimes people send back an item because they don’t like the color; other times it’s because the item is broken. MAC.BID puts the onus on the consumer to figure that out.

How Do I Use It?

On the website, select the locations you’re willing to drive to for a pickup. In the Pittsburgh area, there are warehouses in Robinson, Butler, Monroeville, and the Pittsburgh Mills mall. From there, search for items that you would like, but make sure to pay attention to the classification system: like "new," "open box," and "damaged."

If an item is classified as “open box” or “damaged,” inspect it at the warehouse before bidding or purchasing (They don’t provide refunds on those items!). If you buy something classified as “like new,” you can get a refund if it’s damaged, but you must flag it to the staff before leaving the store.

You have three days after you win the online auction to pick up your item — or else it is considered abandoned and you lose the item and your money.

There's a lot of rules, but the upside? There are amazing deals to be found, and it's more sustainable than buying new items. The City Cast Pittsburgh team (and friends) have snagged everything from foldable bikes to floating shelves at a major discount.