Pittsburgh cites Shadyside developer for Forward Avenue landslide

Pittsburgh has cited a Shadyside development company with property code violations that resulted in a landslide and closure of a busy street linking Squirrel Hill and Swisshelm Park.

The Department of Permits Licenses and Inspections cited Walnut Capital with inappropriate drainage and grading on the grounds of the Walnut Towers at Frick Park apartment building along Forward Avenue/Commercial Street.

Department of Permits Licenses and Inspections Director Maura Kennedy said those conditions caused loose soil on a hillside to slide onto the street. Pittsburgh closed the street for more than a week. It is now open one way to traffic heading into Squirrel Hill.

“Every property owner is required to maintain their slopes,” Kennedy said. “This slide is on property that Walnut Capital owns, so they're responsible for maintaining it.”

Kennedy said part of a parking lot on the property is sinking and a retaining wall is deteriorated.

Gregg Perelman, Walnut's founding partner, declined to comment.

Kennedy said the company has so far complied with department stipulations for an engineering study of the slide area and plans for remediation. The department has approved the plans, she said. Walnut must now submit final plans and apply for an application to do the work.

“We're looking to have the problem corrected,” Kennedy said. “That's our main goal. We are not looking to get fines. We would only seek that typically if the property owner failed to correct the issue.”

The Forward Avenue is only one in a series of landslides that have closed roads. Pittsburgh is monitoring 15 active landslides within the city limits during what has been an unusually rainy late winter and early spring.

Bob Bauder is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 412-765-2312, bbauder@tribweb.com or via Twitter @bobbauder.