Got an old prison you don’t know what to do with? That’s the story in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. While the city may be the “Gateway to the West,” until 2017 it was home to the State Correctional Institution Pittsburgh. That old prison, built in 1826, was an entirely different gateway. But since the last of the wardens left the old institution behind, the question has been, what to do with it? An area developer wants to turn the prison yard into an RV park, and a lot of the rest of it into a hotel.
“West Penn Castle”
Tom Tripoli is a retired developer. When he sees the old gray institution, he sees a bright future. His vision is to keep the warden’s house, the original penitentiary and the yard behind it. Turn those buildings into a hotel or a hostel “for those who want to slumber behind bars,” as the local paper puts it. Tripoli calls his vision “The West Penn Castle.”
Out back, Tripoli envisions a 100-site RV park built in the old prison yard. His pitch to local government? The change would “add enviable, important, inner city hospitality services and benefits to Pittsburgh.” He points out that other big cities across the U.S. actually have RV parks inside city limits. “The West Penn Castle has the potential to be converted into a historic hospitality haven that could provide tourists and guests with services currently not available in our city,” Tripoli wrote in his plan proposal.
RV park—or industrial development?
But before RVers could become “inmates,” Tripoli has a major obstacle to overcome. Turn a prison yard into an RV park? City officials think a better idea would be to spend $44 million and knock the whole prison down and prep the land for industrial development. Neighborhood residents, says a report to the city, “voiced strong opposition to retaining any portion of the facility, which left standing would serve as a continuing reminder of its negative emotional legacy and social injustice.”
Despite the strong headwinds, Tom Tripoli isn’t giving up without a fight. He’s asking for support and wants people to write him at savethecastlepgh@gmail.com.
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Reuse, recycle. Sounds like city has the 44 million to spend. Since it’s taxpayers money, who is accountable when it ballons to 66 million?
Need room for the border crossers?
My neighbor worked there for many years. Due to the location and condition of the former prison, I don’t think it would be feasible to turn it into any kind of RV destination.
Hmm, I thought St. Louis was the ‘Gateway to the West’, with the gateway arch and all.
Hi, Matt. I just Googled it and there are 9 locations in the U.S. listed as a “Gateway to the West” (including Pittsburgh) and 4 in Canada. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane
LOL…I said the same thing. Maybe others say they are but there is really only the one.
Hi, Vanessa. Interestingly, the Gateway Arch was completed on October 28, 1965 (58th anniversary today). Pittsburgh was referred to as the Gateway to the West from 1763 to 1799. (I didn’t have time to look up any of the other places with the nickname Gateway to the West.) Have a good evening. 😀 –Diane
Taking a look at the location it seems to have all the items you look for in an RV park. Buried in an industrial area with railroad tracks and a major highway on one side. Probably great views of a river on the other side. Near many large industrial and logistics facilities and best of all a 12’8″ underpass on one route so only 1 way in and out. A couple of miles from both pro baseball and football stadiums. I’m not sure that this parcel would ever be developed.
The location and trafiic pattern would make it a real challenge for an RV or TT to maneuver. It’s buried in an industrial area on the North Side.
If feasible do it. Our country is too quick to let abandoned building fall apart or tear down and rebuild. Many of the older buildings were meant to last when taken care of – not be destroyed.
I thought ST Louis was the “Gateway to the West” thus the Gateway Arch!
Well, Mr. Tripoli is certainly thinking creatively. Pittsburgh is said to be an interesting destination by some (who? Not sure right now, perhaps I’m mistaken). Having an RV park inside the city limits could be a nice amenity and benefit tourism. Sounds like it won’t happen though.
As a Full-time RVer with family in the Pittsburgh area, love the idea. I do have to question accessibility to the site as driving in Pittsburgh is a nightmare for a car, let alone a RV with all the bridges, constant construction, many narrow one-way streets and steep hills!