Old Froggy's Tavern, Papa J's Centro Buildings Could Be Razed

PITTSBURGH, PA - Two Downtown buildings with storied pasts - one housing the old Froggy’s tavern, the other the former Tramps and Papa J’s Centro - soon could be demolished.

Michael Troiani, who owns the buildings, has filed demolition plans with the Pittsburgh Planning Commission for the Papa J’s building and an adjacent structure along the Boulevard of the Allies. The building that housed Froggy’s would be razed as part of ”further demolition consolidation efforts.

For a quarter of a century beginning in 1978, the gravelly voiced Steve "Froggy" Morris held court in his Market Square bar and restaurant where celebrities such as Jack Nicholson flocked when they were in town.

Despite its reputation as one of Downtown's go-to destinations, Morris eventually encountered financial difficulties and Froggy's closed in 2003. Morris died five years later; the bar space currently is vacant.

Tramps and its successor, Papa J’s, were staples for decades along the Boulevard of the Allies near Market Square. That building and the one next door to it were condemned five years ago, according to the demolition documents.

The Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation is opposed to razing the old Froggy’s building, according to a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette report.

Photos: Google Maps.

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