Ep. 3: 'Put More Money On The Table!'

By Margaret J. Krauss

Published November 16, 2020 at 3:37 AM EST

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In 2000, Justin Strong opened a music venue in East Liberty called Shadow Lounge. It grew into a beloved cultural institution, and closed in 2013.

Sarah Kovash / 90.5 WESA

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In 2000, Justin Strong opened a music venue in East Liberty called Shadow Lounge. It grew into a beloved cultural institution, and closed in 2013.

Sarah Kovash / 90.5 WESA

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Emmai Alaquiva is an Emmy Award-winning film director, who opened a music production studio in 2001 called Ya Momz House above Shadow Lounge.

Sarah Kovash / 90.5 WESA

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Emmai Alaquiva is an Emmy Award-winning film director, who opened a music production studio in 2001 called Ya Momz House above Shadow Lounge.

Sarah Kovash / 90.5 WESA

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Kevin Quisenberry is litigation director for the Community Justice Project. He worked with Penn Plaza residents to make a deal with the owner of the Penn Plaza Apartments and the city.

Sarah Kovash / 90.5 WESA

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Kevin Quisenberry is litigation director for the Community Justice Project. He worked with Penn Plaza residents to make a deal with the owner of the Penn Plaza Apartments and the city.

Sarah Kovash / 90.5 WESA

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Tom Murphy served as Pittsburgh’s mayor from 1994 to 2006. He thought catalytic developments, like a Home Depot in East Liberty, could help the city reinvent itself. ";

Katie Blackley / 90.5 WESA

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Tom Murphy served as Pittsburgh’s mayor from 1994 to 2006. He thought catalytic developments, like a Home Depot in East Liberty, could help the city reinvent itself. ";

Katie Blackley / 90.5 WESA

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An image of Robert Pease, director of the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh, meeting with members of the Committee on East Liberty's Future in an empty lot in Pittsburgh's East Liberty neighborhood prior to redevelopment.

Melvin Seidenberg Photographs / Detre Library & Archives, Heinz History Center

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Melvin Seidenberg Photographs / Detre Library & Archives, Heinz History Center

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The two-acre Enright Park surrounded by Penn Plaza includes a basketball court and playground.

Sarah Schneider / 90.5 WESA

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The two-acre Enright Park surrounded by Penn Plaza includes a basketball court and playground.

Sarah Schneider / 90.5 WESA

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Baiyinah Brookins stands in front of Jamil's Global Village in East Liberty.

Katie Blackley / 90.5 WESA

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Baiyinah Brookins stands in front of Jamil's Global Village in East Liberty.

Katie Blackley / 90.5 WESA

The mayor of Pittsburgh and his right hand man sit down to negotiate with Larry Gumberg and the Penn Plaza tenant council, led by Bob Jamison and Gail Williams. But what can city officials really do in scenarios like Penn Plaza? What power do cities actually have? A lot.

We time travel and meet three Pittsburgh mayors whose actions set the stage for the fight over Penn Plaza.