<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1KnfRj_0wPT5ymt00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1KnfRj_0wPT5ymt00" width="1280" height="717" ><div style="position:relative;width:100%; height:0; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nQcmbUUdorM?feature=oembed" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" style="width:100%; height:100%;top:0; left:0; position:absolute"></iframe></div>Location: The County Courthouse in Downtown PittsburghFeatured guests: Abby Gardner, director of communications for Allegheny County, plus a special appearance from County Executive Sara Innamorato 3 things that surprised me:1. Abby led me up a long flight of stairs to a deserted landing. This was the base of the bell tower which – when it was built – made the courthouse the tallest building in Pittsburgh at 318 feet tall. I expected to find offices in the tower, but the area is mostly open. Abby explained that the slits in the tower walls were a part of the building’s early ventilation system. Despite their best efforts, pigeons often make their way into the structure and have been known to roost inside. The chimes that emanate from the bell tower every day at noon and 5 p.m. come from a digital system that was installed about 20 years ago. 2. There is a robust tunnel system underneath the County Courthouse that connects it to the City-County Building as well as the County Office Building. Prior to Sept. 11, 2001, the public could use those tunnels to get between the buildings. Now they’re closed off to everyone except certain county and city employees. There are rumors that these tunnels connect to a larger Downtown tunnel network reaching as far as the Point. Abby says she’s heard those rumors, but she’s never seen that part of the tunnel system. 3. The County Courthouse structure has seen a range of modifications over the years. In the 1900s, when Downtown Pittsburgh was regraded, the street level dropped by 60 feet and the basement of the building became the new main entrance. Initially, the building had three floors, each with very tall ceilings. In later years – to create more office space – those floors were cut in half, drop ceilings were added and the number of floors was doubled. Abby showed me the single courtroom that’s been preserved to show what one of the original rooms with extra-tall ceilings would have looked like. One thing that didn’t make the final cut: We toured the courthouse just a few days after the county executive swatted a spotted lanternfly off of Vice President Kamala Harris, and I couldn’t help but bring it up. You can see Innamorato’s response in this bonus clip that we posted on our Facebook page. Additional info: If you’re interested in having your wedding inside the County Courthouse, you can head to their website for more information. Yinzer Backstage Pass? Check out our visit to historic mansion at Hartwood Acres. Boaz is the host of NEXTpittsburgh's Yinzer Backstage Pass video series. He is also an author, filmmaker, advertising copywriter, teacher, experiential storyteller, talk show host, gardener, kazoo museum curator and so much more.</div></body>

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Who lives in the County Courthouse tower?

Location: The County Courthouse in Downtown Pittsburgh. Featured guests: Abby Gardner, director of communications for Allegheny County, plus a special appearance from County Executive Sara Innamorato. 3 things that surprised me:. 1. Abby led me up a long flight of stairs to a deserted landing. This was the base of...