PITTSBURGH | Lower Hill District Redevelopment

[Gilamonster]

The first step has begun in clearing a 28 acre site for redevelopment in Pittsburgh's Hill District neighborhood. That step is the demolition of Pittsburgh's Civic Arena, affectionately known as "The Igloo". The demolition is scheduled to be complete in May 2012. The Pittsburgh Penguins, with majority owners Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle, have been given exclusive development rights to the site. An official site plan has not been released, but there are expected to be commercial, residential, and retail components. There is a huge opportunity here, with a 28 acre essentially "clean slate" site adjacent to downtown Pittsburgh.

Here is a good overview of the site viewed from downtown:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/images/201104/droke0413_lowerhill_now_500.jpg
Image from Rebecca Droke; Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11107/1139984-53-0.stm



And a view facing downtown:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/images/201006/8ko00kgp_500.jpg
Image from Robin Rombach;Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10168/1066203-28.stm

[Gilamonster]

Progressing is being made on two fronts:
-The demolition of the arena
-Getting funding in place to rebuild streets,sewers and utilities.


http://files.pittsburghlive.com/photos/2011-11-28/civicarena-a.jpg
James M. Kubus ; Tribune-Review

Civic Arena site's destiny on table
By Bill Vidonic, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Discussions that begin this afternoon could lead to Pittsburgh using millions of dollars to prepare the site of the old Civic Arena for development by the Penguins.

Representatives of the city's Urban Redevelopment Authority will brief the City Planning Commission on the possibility of declaring the 28-acre site in Uptown blighted. That is one step toward seeking tax dollars for building roads and installing sewer lines and utility connections on the land. ......


Full article and original photo can be found at:http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_769450.html

[Evergrey]

nice work, gila

[Gilamonster]

Thanks.:)

The following article contains a lot of interesting information regarding the site. The city of Pittsburgh, along with the URA(Urban Redevelopment Authority) are attempting to fast track the development of the site. Under the current agreement,starting a year after the Civic Arena is razed, the Penguins are required to develop at least 2.8 acres per year or forfeit that amount of land and development rights to an outside developer. So while the headline seems somewhat pessimistic towards the Penguins developing the land, it is essentially referring to the fact that if the Penguins don't act quickly somebody else will be given the opportunity to jump in. A legitimate concern with the short leash given the Penguins is that they may try to spit out anything just to meet deadlines and avoid forfeiture. Still, I like that the city is pushing this to get done quickly and even though the agreements are in writing, I wouldn't be surprised if the Penguins get some leeway as long as they are making steady progress.


Penguins skating uphill over arena site plans?
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
By Mark Belko, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

If the history of development around Heinz Field and PNC Park is any guide, the Penguins organization is facing a daunting task in its bid to replace the Civic Arena and the surrounding land with offices, housing and shops.

On the North Shore, the Steelers, the Pirates and their partner, Continental Real Estate Cos., failed to reach targets that required them to develop -- on average -- less than one acre a year over the course of a decade. .......

Read entire article at:http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11347/1196481-28-0.stm

[Brianjohnson07]

Hi everyone! your information is very good, well and informative, But you need upload more information on this site for community and viewers. I thank to all for sharing information.

[Gilamonster]

The stripping of the stainless steel portion of the civic arena's roof is almost complete. There are only a few strips left on the side facing the Hill District.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7152/6541225531_0ae35efe6a_b.jpg


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7010/6541226733_d3dc156633_b.jpg


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7021/6541232395_18acb8ed1c_b.jpg


Men at work:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7153/6541227315_466632ca92_b.jpg

[BrianTH]

Some images from the Penguins' proposal for development (note this may have been modified):

http://i39.tinypic.com/9q89jm.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/281skrl.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/24l4n6g.jpg

[TBone7281]

Taken 12/28/2011. Stainless steel roof paneling looks to be completely gone.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7028/6609372923_f71f2c0f99_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/79774233@N00/6609372923/)


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7170/6609373583_64ae394e00_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/79774233@N00/6609373583/)


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7164/6609374299_84a88783c9_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/79774233@N00/6609374299/)

[Gilamonster]

While demolition has been going on inside the old arena for the last 4 months, the general public finally gets to see some outward progress. Here's a video link showing the first part of the dome being brought down:

http://video.penguins.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=912&id=153018&fwcc=1&fwcl=1&fwl&_ft_=qid.5702777970414350669%3Amf_story_key.10150558463123044%3Afilter.h_nor%3Ainterface.m_faceweb_iphone%3Ac.m

[TBone7281]

Certainly on its way.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7175/6808477703_dc1b075075_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/79774233@N00/6808477703/)

[Evergrey]

that is such a nauseating shade of red

[Johnland]

Looking at the first few aerial shots, I can see how just enormous the development potential is for the site. Also, the glaring, clunky cemented roadways that cut off the Hill from main Downtown just look so prehistoric and ill-thought. Addressing the concrete gulch will be key.

[TBone7281]

Civic Arena Demo (03/07/12)
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7201/6963239179_bf0ca460c9_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/79774233@N00/6963239179/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7037/6963239531_f919296bc9_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/79774233@N00/6963239531/)