Gateway Center (PAT station)
Encyclopedia
Gateway Center was a station on the Port Authority of Allegheny County
's Pittsburgh Light Rail
network, and until October 30, 2009 it was the "T" system's westernmost extent within downtown Pittsburgh. The Port Authority closed Gateway Center as part of construction work on the North Shore Connector
project, and a new station will open in 2012. The former station entrance will be demolished and a new station will be built.
, the adjacent office complex, the station served the western portion of downtown. The stop also served major buildings such as One PPG Place and Fifth Avenue Place
, the shopping and dining district at Market Square
, and the historical and recreational hub of Point State Park
.
Gateway Center closed on October 30, 2009 as part of the North Shore Connector
project. There will also be an extension from the station going under the Allegheny River
through the Allegheny River Tunnel over to the North Shore
. The Port Authority will construct a new station which will open in 2011.
The station featured a mural
by artist Romare Bearden
. Commissioned by the Port Authority as part of the original station complex, the mural is now valued at $15 million. The Heinz Endowments
has pledged $250,000 toward the costs of removal and refurbishment. The mural was removed when the station was demolished and will be installed in the new station.
Port Authority of Allegheny County
Port Authority of Allegheny County is the second-largest public transit agency in Pennsylvania and the 11th-largest in the United States. When considering that its service area is the 20th largest in the U.S...
's Pittsburgh Light Rail
Pittsburgh Light Rail
The Pittsburgh Light Rail is a light rail system in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; it functions as a subway in Downtown Pittsburgh and largely as an at-grade light rail service in the suburbs. The system is owned and operated by the Port Authority of Allegheny County...
network, and until October 30, 2009 it was the "T" system's westernmost extent within downtown Pittsburgh. The Port Authority closed Gateway Center as part of construction work on the North Shore Connector
North Shore Connector
The North Shore Connector project is a 1.2 mile tunnel under construction in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is an extension of Pittsburgh's 25-mile subway/light rail system from its current terminus at Gateway Center Station in Downtown to the new North Side Station and Allegheny Station on the...
project, and a new station will open in 2012. The former station entrance will be demolished and a new station will be built.
History
Gateway Center Station was opened on 3 July 1985 as part of the new subway system that replaced the remaining downtown street running trolleys. Named for Gateway CenterGateway Center (Pittsburgh)
The Gateway Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is a high-rise building complex with of office space in four buildings. Gateway Center was purchased in 2004 by Hertz Investment Group, a Los Angeles, California based real estate investment company, for US$55 million...
, the adjacent office complex, the station served the western portion of downtown. The stop also served major buildings such as One PPG Place and Fifth Avenue Place
Fifth Avenue Place (Pittsburgh)
Fifth Avenue Place is a skyscraper in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. United States.The building was completed in 1988 and it has 31 floors. Located at the corner of Liberty Avenue and Fifth Avenue, it rises above Downtown Pittsburgh...
, the shopping and dining district at Market Square
Market Square, Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh's Market Square is located in Downtown Pittsburgh at the intersection of Forbes Avenue and Market Street. It has traditionally been the heart of the city and is currently undergoing a revival with several new apartments and retail spaces planned....
, and the historical and recreational hub of Point State Park
Point State Park
Point State Park is a Pennsylvania state park on in Downtown Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA, at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers, forming the Ohio River....
.
Gateway Center closed on October 30, 2009 as part of the North Shore Connector
North Shore Connector
The North Shore Connector project is a 1.2 mile tunnel under construction in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is an extension of Pittsburgh's 25-mile subway/light rail system from its current terminus at Gateway Center Station in Downtown to the new North Side Station and Allegheny Station on the...
project. There will also be an extension from the station going under the Allegheny River
Allegheny River
The Allegheny River is a principal tributary of the Ohio River; it is located in the Eastern United States. The Allegheny River joins with the Monongahela River to form the Ohio River at the "Point" of Point State Park in Downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
through the Allegheny River Tunnel over to the North Shore
North Shore (Pittsburgh)
The North Shore is a neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania's North Side. It has a zip code of 15212, and has representation on Pittsburgh City Council by both the council members for District 1 and 6...
. The Port Authority will construct a new station which will open in 2011.
The station featured a mural
Mural
A mural is any piece of artwork painted or applied directly on a wall, ceiling or other large permanent surface. A particularly distinguishing characteristic of mural painting is that the architectural elements of the given space are harmoniously incorporated into the picture.-History:Murals of...
by artist Romare Bearden
Romare Bearden
Romare Bearden was an African American artist and writer. He worked in several media including cartoons, oils, and collage.-Education:...
. Commissioned by the Port Authority as part of the original station complex, the mural is now valued at $15 million. The Heinz Endowments
Heinz Endowments
The Heinz Endowments are among the largest philanthropic organizations in the United States.Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Heinz Endowments consist of two private foundations, the Howard Heinz Endowment and the Vira I. Heinz Endowment, and its monies originate from the Heinz family,...
has pledged $250,000 toward the costs of removal and refurbishment. The mural was removed when the station was demolished and will be installed in the new station.