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Friday Farewell: Kennywood’s Last Jam

One of the most beloved traditions in the Pittsburgh area is an annual Summer trip to Kennywood Park. Kennywood has been putting smiles on Steel City faces since the late 1800s!  (Factually, the park opened as a “trolley park” in 1899, which still counts to this writer!)

The West Mifflin amusement park and it’s many infamous rides have definitely stood the test of time. Visitor favorites like The Racers, The Jackrabbit, The Thunderbolt, The Steel Phantom, Phantom’s Revenge (just to name a few), have attracted guests from all around the world. While coasters are nice, nothing refreshes you on a hot day quite like The Log Jammer. Well, that is, through this weekend.

Kennywood announced today that this Sunday, September 17th, will be the last day of operation for the legendary flume. Below is the official announcement from their website:

As Kennywood’s 2017 Summer Season winds down and we look ahead to 2018, we’ve come to a very hard decision: the Log Jammer will retire at the end of this season.

To celebrate 42 years of our favorite logs, Kennywood invites friends, families and Pittsburgh visitors to enjoy one last ride down the 53-foot drop chute before the summer season comes to an end on September 17.

While we know that the Log Jammer is a beloved ride for many of our guests and has been for us as well, we’re looking forward to exploring exciting new developments in that corner of the park in future seas

“It is a bittersweet decision, but one that in time will create some exciting opportunities for our guests,” says Kennywood General Manager Jerome Gibas. “While no final decisions have been made regarding what will replace the Log Jammer, Kennywood is committed to enhancing our guests’ experiences while preserving our signature balance of modern thrills and traditional family favorites.”

The Log Jammer debuted at Kennywood in 1975 as the park’s first million-dollar attraction. The site of the Jammer was previously home to attractions including the Kangaroo, Loop-O-Plane, Bayern Kurve, a Ferris Wheel, and, from 1930 until 1974, a pony track.

 

We would like to thank Kennywood for 42 years of laughs, splashs, and memories we’ll never forget on this wet and wild ride. We bid a very bittersweet farewell to The Log Jammer!!!

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Don’t forget…IAN BUYS HOMES! I am always looking to expand my personal portfolio. If you’d like to meet with me about your property, please submit your inquiry HERE! I look forward to hearing from you!

 

 

A Waterfront Anniversary!

 

It feels like the world is one giant throwback to the ’90s recently. So this week, we’re bringing back Throwback Thursday to celebrate an anniversary of outdoor shopping proportions. We’re going to party like it’s 1999 and celebrate the 18th birthday of “The Waterfront”.

The Waterfront is a super-regional open air shopping mall spanning the three boroughs of Homestead, West Homestead, and Munhall, and opened on September 9, 1999. The shopping mall sits on land once occupied by U.S. Steel’s Homestead Steel Works plant, which closed in 1986. The Waterfront was one of the earliest projects to help revitalize Pittsburgh and it’s surrounding areas. The outdoor mall houses everything from department stores, niche stores, restaurants, comedy clubs, piano bars, and much more. The Waterfront is truly a one-stop destination for all day fun.

Shopping malls have always been a popular spot for area youths, but The Waterfront gave us, in a way, our first “adult-themed” mall. It’s open air design and focus on bold stores and businesses became an instant with young adults and socialites. The Loews Waterfront Theater became one of the area’s most popular attractions, due to it’s state of the art cinema experience when it first opened.

 

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At one time, this area was occupied by a steel mill headed by the US Steel Industry. At its peak, there were 450 buildings on the site. In its history, the Homestead Works produced more than 200 million tons of steel for use in railroads, armor, and beams. In its high point during World War II, an entire neighborhood of 8,000 people was razed to expand the mill even further. These stacks remain at The Waterfront today, as a symbol of the Steel City’s past.

If you’d like to read more before you head out for shopping, dinner, and a movie or comedy show, check out this fascinating article from the Wall Street Journal, written a couple months before the official opening of the unique open air mall!

 

 

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Don’t forget…IAN BUYS HOMES! I am always looking to expand my personal portfolio. If you’d like to meet with me about your property, please submit your inquiry HERE! I look forward to hearing from you!

Flood Preparedness and Safety

 

Flood season is almost over here in the Pittsburgh area. While we had a rougher year than normal in the Steel City and surrounding areas, our summer floods paled in comparison to the tragic events in Texas, Louisiana, Florida, and Puerto Rico. We send our most heartfelt thoughts and prayers to anyone and everyone affected by these extreme weather events.

Seeing the damage and hearing the heartbreaking stories made me realize…I wouldn’t know what to do if I was faced with the horrendous storm. Or any storm, for that matter. I’m sure I’m not alone, either. Until we’re faced with such adversity, it’s hard to truly prepare for the unknown.

So…we’re going to prepare for the unknown!

Here are flood tips from the Department of Homeland Security. GIve it a read so that, no matter where you may be, you will know what to do in case of an extreme event. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!

FLOODS

Flooding is a temporary overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry. Flooding may happen with only a few inches of water, or it may cover a house to the rooftop. There are many possible causes of floods including heavy rain or snowmelt, coastal storms and storm surge, waterway overflow from being blocked with debris or ice, or overflow of levees, dams, or waste water systems, Flooding can occur slowly over many days or happen very quickly with little or no warning, called flash floods.

Where

Flooding can happen in any U.S. state or territory. It is particularly important to be prepared for flooding if you live in a low-lying area near a body of water, such as near a river, stream, or culvert; along a coast; or downstream from a dam or levee.

When

Flooding can occur during every season, but some areas of the country are at greater risk at certain times of the year. Coastal areas are at greater risk for flooding during hurricane season (i.e., June to November), while the Midwest is more at risk in the spring and during heavy summer rains. Ice jams occur in the spring in the Northeast and Northwest. Even the deserts of the Southwest are at risk during the late summer monsoon season.

Basic Safety Tips

  • Turn Around, Don’t Drown! ®
  • Avoid walking or driving through flood waters.
  • Do not drive over bridges that are over fast-moving floodwaters. Floodwaters can scour foundation material from around the footings and make the bridge unstable.
  • Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
  • If there is a chance of flash flooding, move immediately to higher ground.
  • If floodwaters rise around your car but the water is not moving, abandon the car and move to higher ground. Do not leave the car and enter moving water.
  • Avoid camping or parking along streams, rivers, and creeks during heavy rainfall. These areas can flood quickly and with little warning.

Flood Watch

Flood Watch = “Be Aware.” (Conditions are right for flooding to occur in your area.)

Steps to Take

  • Turn on your TV/radio/phone. Sounds comical, but you will receive the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
  • Know where to go. You may need to reach higher ground quickly and on foot.
  • Build or restock your emergency preparedness kit. Include a flashlight, batteries, cash, and first aid supplies.Prepare Your Home
  • Bring in outdoor furniture and move important indoor items to the highest possible floor. This will help protect them from flood damage.
  • Disconnect electrical appliances and do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water. You could be electrocuted.
  • If instructed, turn off your gas and electricity at the main switch or valve. This helps prevent fires and explosions.

Flood Warning

Flood Warning = “Take Action!”  (Flooding is either happening or will happen shortly.)

Steps to Take

  • Move immediately to higher ground or stay on high ground.
  • Evacuate if directed.
  • Avoid walking or driving through flood waters. Turn Around, Don’t Drown! Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.

After Flooding

  • Return home only when authorities say it is safe.
  • Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded and watch out for debris. Floodwaters often erode roads and walkways.
  • Do not attempt to drive through areas that are still flooded.
  • Avoid standing water as it may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
  • Photograph damage to your property for insurance purposes.

Make a Flood Plan

  • Know your flood risk.
  • Familiarize yourself with local emergency plans. Know where to go and how to get there should you need to get to higher ground, the highest level of a building, or to evacuate.
  • Make a flood emergency plan for the relevant type/s of local flood risk with plans such as evacuation, shelter, locations for high ground.
  • Build or restock your emergency preparedness kit, including a minimum of 3 days of food and water, flashlight, batteries, cash, and first aid supplies.
  • Consider buying flood insurance.
  • Stay tuned to your phone alerts, TV, or radio for weather updates, emergency instructions, or evacuation orders.

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Don’t forget…IAN BUYS HOMES!!! I am always looking to expand my personal portfolio. If you’d like to meet with me about your property, please submit your inquiry HERE! I look forward to hearing from you!

Small business retail building with apartment revenue!

Location, Location, Location! This property is located on Rt 51 just south of the Brentwood Towne Square, 1st floor & basement retail space currently being use is a hair salon but could be used for just about any small business. Property has been well maintained and features 15 off street parking spaces, multiple signs for advertising to the traffic driving by. The property also has a one bedroom apartment above for additional income that is rented.

Affordable cash flowing duplex! $129,900

Fully Occupied brick Duplex in Bellevue – First floor unit is a well maintained one bedroom with high ceilings and access to rear yard. Second floor unit is a 3 Bedroom unit with loft. Newer mechanical, well maintained.

25 Grant Ave – Very Nice Duplex! -$149,900

Recently renovated, clean investment property! Both units are fully occupied. Property is located in a popular rental market. All utilities are separated. Newer mechanicals as well as a new roof in 2015.