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This concerns the current efforts to grant Donny’s Place a historic landmark designation. As a member of the LGBTQ community, I feel the recent decision by the Pittsburgh Planning Commission not to recommend it as such is correct.
It was common knowledge for years that Donny Thinnes had the building and land up for sale. The process for recognition should have started all those years ago, while Donny was still alive to appreciate it. I have many fond memories of the Norreh Social Club, as it was called when I first walked through the front door. I attended many events there and held many events there for one organization or another. The word “No” was not in Donny’s vocabulary. Donny, to my knowledge, never turned anyone away.
Yes, having Donny’s Place recognized as a historic landmark for the LGBTQ community would have been a well-deserved honor. It’s just too late. I am not alone in this. As reported by 90.5 WESA, also speaking against the nomination at the Planning Commission were friends and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. I recommend reviewing the article, and many others out there on the issue.
I wholeheartedly agree with one statement by Billy Hilleman, who said that the decrepit building would not be a fitting memorial to Donny. Have you seen the condition of the entire building? I was in the bar sometime right before it closed. It was falling apart then. A recent story mentions that a fire occurred within the structure in December 2024. I can only imagine the condition of the inside of the building now. I cannot even speculate the amount of money it would cost to stabilize and renovate both the inside and outside of the building. Then there will be the costs to maintain the building. Where will this money come from? We need to be realistic about this. All those funds could better be spent for the community as our very rights as individuals are under onslaught by the current regime in Washinton, DC.
Where is this concern suddenly coming from for the historic designation? Why now and not earlier when the business was thriving? I wonder if it comes about because of reports of some Polish Hill residents and the Polish Hill Civic Association being against the redevelopment of Donny’s Place, arguing it violates zoning rules and could harm the neighborhood. Their complaint is that it would affect the community’s character, affordability, and environment.
The Laurel Communities development group addressed these issues by reducing the number of townhomes from 27 to 19 — just below the threshold for inclusionary zoning in Polish Hill, which requires projects with 20 or more units to designate a set percentage as affordable. The Polish Hill Civic Association’s actions just eliminated some of the affordable housing they were concerned about. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot. Lastly, do not get me started on the actions of the civic association and other interested parties that caused Donny additional financial problems and stress in his final days. No LGBTQIA+ association, social group, former patrons, or friends of Donny’s should be happy about this.
This is what we, the LGBTQIA+ community, should propose.
We should be collaborating with the attorney of Donny’s estate and the Laurel Communities developers. We can still honor the Norreh/Donny’s at the site. We should negotiate with them and have a historic plaque recognizing the significance of Donny’s in both Pittsburgh and LGBTQIA+ history. Have this plaque with a QR code to link to additional historical information in the corner of the front or one of the new buildings. Better yet, a small area could be donated with a bench, some flora, and the historic plaque on the corner. There is a bus stop there, and the entrance to the East Busway on Herron Avenue stops across the street. The new occupants of what is being built on the site will have reading material as they wait for the 54 C/D.
I do commend the efforts of Preservation Pittsburgh, the residents of Polish Hill, the LGBTQIA+ community, and others for their efforts in this endeavor. Overall, their hearts are in the right place. I feel there are other things we should be dedicating our resources to at this time.
– Jeffrey Toth
QBurgh welcomes letters from the community. We will publish as many letters as possible to reflect the views of the LGBTQ Community of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. We reserve the right to accept or reject any letter for publication for any or no reason and to edit for grammar and accuracy. Anonymous letters will not be published. Send your letters to letters@qburgh.com.
