10 percent solution: It's time to finish the arena's benefits agreement
Ten days ago, representatives of the city of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County and the Hill District were working full-tilt on a community benefits agreement sought by neighbors of the Penguins' new hockey arena.
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Chief Executive Dan Onorato and members of the One Hill Community Benefits Coalition met until 1:30 a.m. and then picked up their talks after a few hours of sleep. At midday, during a chummy news conference complete with hugs all around, Mr. Ravenstahl said negotiators were 90 percent of the way there. Carl Redwood, a leader of One Hill, said, "We're working very hard to get to an agreement. We anticipate [talking for] many hours over the next few days."
The impetus for the flurry of activity was the vote on the arena's master plan by the city's planning commission, and the participation of Mr. Ravenstahl and Mr. Onorato proved to be critical. Before that, community leaders had threatened to try to stop the vote; afterward, they muted their opposition. The vote went forward and the project won approval.
But now it feels as though the heat under the benefits agreement, which could bring the neighborhood jobs, a supermarket and social services, has been turned off.
Certainly it is important to get all of the details right, and it's also true that the last part of an agreement can be more difficult to hash out than the first. Nonetheless, the final 10 percent of the deal should have been cinched by now.
Earlier this month, tempers were so hot that residents set fire to an earlier proposal. We'd hate to see that happen again.
Mr. Onorato and Mr. Ravenstahl won't be able to participate in talks in the days ahead since they're on European trips in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance and a tour by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Onorato arrives in Spain today, while Mr. Ravenstahl leaves Saturday and returns Feb. 3.
The first thing on the agendas of both men, once they're back, should be wrapping up the neighborhood agreement so the arena work can go forward without disruption.
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Chief Executive Dan Onorato and members of the One Hill Community Benefits Coalition met until 1:30 a.m. and then picked up their talks after a few hours of sleep. At midday, during a chummy news conference complete with hugs all around, Mr. Ravenstahl said negotiators were 90 percent of the way there. Carl Redwood, a leader of One Hill, said, "We're working very hard to get to an agreement. We anticipate [talking for] many hours over the next few days."
The impetus for the flurry of activity was the vote on the arena's master plan by the city's planning commission, and the participation of Mr. Ravenstahl and Mr. Onorato proved to be critical. Before that, community leaders had threatened to try to stop the vote; afterward, they muted their opposition. The vote went forward and the project won approval.
But now it feels as though the heat under the benefits agreement, which could bring the neighborhood jobs, a supermarket and social services, has been turned off.
Certainly it is important to get all of the details right, and it's also true that the last part of an agreement can be more difficult to hash out than the first. Nonetheless, the final 10 percent of the deal should have been cinched by now.
Earlier this month, tempers were so hot that residents set fire to an earlier proposal. We'd hate to see that happen again.
Mr. Onorato and Mr. Ravenstahl won't be able to participate in talks in the days ahead since they're on European trips in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance and a tour by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Onorato arrives in Spain today, while Mr. Ravenstahl leaves Saturday and returns Feb. 3.
The first thing on the agendas of both men, once they're back, should be wrapping up the neighborhood agreement so the arena work can go forward without disruption.