City planners are mulling a request by University of Pittsburgh Medical Center to erect a sign at the top of the U.S. Steel Tower when the health system relocates its headquarters there in 2008. Designer William Kolano, representing UPMC, told the Planning Commission today that the health care giant wants a sign with 20-foot-high letters that could be read from as far away as the West End Bridge. The lettering would be dark blue or bronze, with a blue band behind, he said. "It's not in anybody's interest to have a sign that is too bright," said Kolano, whose company Kolano Designs has been hired by UPMC. The sign would be 1,900 square feet -- half as big as allowed by city ordinance -- and would be placed at the upper left side of each facade of the 64-story building. The Planning Commission will vote on the request at a later date. Starting in March 2008, UPMC will take about 185,000 square feet of space in the building, including the former restaurant space on the 62nd floor for executive staff. Other personnel will occupy a portion of the 56th floor, and all of the 22nd, 57th and 58th floors. Ultimately, UPMC will lease as many as 14 floors, totaling close to 500,000 square feet. An estimated 2,250 employees will move into the building in phases.

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