Well, here I am again. Reporting on how the building of our house has yet to be set in motion. We have had several more meetings with October Development to finalize our specification sheet and get ready to move forward. The problem we are having, it seems, is all of the bureaucracy involved with this project. There have been a number of issues having to do mainly with Deutschtown being a Historic District. The URA (Urban 
Redevelopment Authority), Northside Leadership 
Conference, The Historical Society, as well as the State of Pennsylvania all have a say in this project for various reasons. The most respectable reason being to make sure the project meets the requirements and historical value of the original neighborhood. This is the aspect I applaud and one of the reasons why we like this neighborhood so much. On the other hand – PULL THE TRIGGER ALREADY! The land needed surveyed and subdivided; the neighbors have to be told not to park in the vacant lot; it is Tuesday and it’s raining! We have kind of heard it all. I finally made my own phone call to the URA to cajole the person involved to expedite the process. I was told, “I feel the project is getting very close”.
If Jeff and I have learned anything from this project so far, it is that nobody works as fast as we do. I certainly don’t blame anyone. It is just the nature of
the beast. This land is not a pre-subdivided, pre-excavated, tidy little parcel that is waiting for someone to come by a put a deposit on it. There is no look book of houses that Santonio Holmes advertises during Steelers games – this is the real deal. Be ready to meet with the Developer, the Contractor – inside the home, the Contractor – outside the home, The Budget Guy, the Architects, and the Kitchen and Bath Designer. Prepare for hours of picking out tile, hardwoods, carpets, lighting fixtures, door handles, cabinets, etc. There are no packaged choices that come off a shelf in a warehouse. The work belongs to you. I suppose we have learned a trifling amount of patience…maybe : )
Some interesting news is that October Development has been updating their website. The Upper James Street project is now listed under New Projects. Our house is the corner unit. Check it out here: http://octoberdevelopment.com/Galleries/Upper%20James%20DII/upper_james_street.html
There are four town homes next to ours for sale. I believe two of them may have been sold.
There is a lot of land available at 1308 James Street if you are interested in being an urban pioneer and building on your own. Contact Greg Jones for more information: 412.330.2557
Keep your fingers crossed and send good vibes our way. I hope to see progress soon!
Redevelopment Authority), Northside Leadership 
Conference, The Historical Society, as well as the State of Pennsylvania all have a say in this project for various reasons. The most respectable reason being to make sure the project meets the requirements and historical value of the original neighborhood. This is the aspect I applaud and one of the reasons why we like this neighborhood so much. On the other hand – PULL THE TRIGGER ALREADY! The land needed surveyed and subdivided; the neighbors have to be told not to park in the vacant lot; it is Tuesday and it’s raining! We have kind of heard it all. I finally made my own phone call to the URA to cajole the person involved to expedite the process. I was told, “I feel the project is getting very close”.If Jeff and I have learned anything from this project so far, it is that nobody works as fast as we do. I certainly don’t blame anyone. It is just the nature of
the beast. This land is not a pre-subdivided, pre-excavated, tidy little parcel that is waiting for someone to come by a put a deposit on it. There is no look book of houses that Santonio Holmes advertises during Steelers games – this is the real deal. Be ready to meet with the Developer, the Contractor – inside the home, the Contractor – outside the home, The Budget Guy, the Architects, and the Kitchen and Bath Designer. Prepare for hours of picking out tile, hardwoods, carpets, lighting fixtures, door handles, cabinets, etc. There are no packaged choices that come off a shelf in a warehouse. The work belongs to you. I suppose we have learned a trifling amount of patience…maybe : )Some interesting news is that October Development has been updating their website. The Upper James Street project is now listed under New Projects. Our house is the corner unit. Check it out here: http://octoberdevelopment.com/Galleries/Upper%20James%20DII/upper_james_street.html
There are four town homes next to ours for sale. I believe two of them may have been sold.
There is a lot of land available at 1308 James Street if you are interested in being an urban pioneer and building on your own. Contact Greg Jones for more information: 412.330.2557
Keep your fingers crossed and send good vibes our way. I hope to see progress soon!
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