Hill residents accuse city of stalling on arena benefits
A coalition of Hill District residents Tuesday accused city officials of stalling on signing a deal that would guarantee jobs, a grocery store and other amenities to neighbors of a planned $290 million hockey arena.
"What we have seen so far shows an arena that turns its back on the Hill District neighborhoods," said Carl Redwood Jr., chairman of the One Hill Coalition.
Redwood and more than 50 coalition members packed a Pittsburgh Planning Commission public hearing about the arena's master plan. The commission must approve the plan before construction may begin.
A vote to accept or reject is scheduled for Jan. 14.
Redwood believes officials from the city, Allegheny County, Penguins and the Sports & Exhibition Authority, which will own the arena, want to delay signing a so-called "community benefits agreements" until after the master plan wins approval.
A spokeswoman for Mayor Luke Ravenstahl denied that, but she couldn't say when or if it would be signed.
"I don't think it has ever been our intention to stall something that we are actively trying to make happen," said spokeswoman Alecia Sirk.
In addition to jobs for Hill District residents and development dollars to build a full-service grocery store, the One Hill Coalition wants a multipurpose community center, such as a YMCA, job-training programs and park space.
Wayne London, project manager for arena builder HOK Sport, said the project will feature a pedestrian walkway between the arena and nearby Epiphany Church on Washington Place, which the commission approved yesterday. That entrance will feature a glass-enclosed concourse with escalators.
"You'll be able to see people walking up and down in the concourse," London said. "It will just glow in the night, and (it will) be an icon in this part of the city."
Fans will be able to enter on all three levels of the arena from Fifth and Centre avenues and Washington Place.
Other amenities include a 500-car parking garage that fans with upgraded parking passes will be able to access from Colwell Street; retail shops on the lowest level along Fifth Avenue; and a snack bar area that overlooks the ice sheet so fans can watch the action when they leave their seats.