The Penguins and a group of Hill District residents and church leaders faced off for the first time yesterday over demands related to the new arena construction.

But instead of dropping the gloves, the two sides pledged during the 90-minute meeting to work together and with the city and Allegheny County to redevelop the neighborhood.

Penguins President David Morehouse described the pledge as a "great first step" toward bringing about hoped-for revitalization as part of the arena construction.

"We're going to gain community input as we move forward and we're going to use the arena and the surrounding development as a catalyst for redevelopment, not only for the greater Hill District but for the Pittsburgh region," he said.

Yesterday's meeting in the offices of the city-county Sports & Exhibition Authority marked the first time the Hill residents and clergy had met with the team since they presented a "term sheet" to Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and county Chief Executive Dan Onorato indicating they wanted $10 million in development funding for the neighborhood, a share of arena and development revenue, and a guarantee that 30 percent of related jobs will go to minorities.

No such specifics were discussed yesterday, but there was "basically general agreement" that the city, county, Penguins and Hill representatives would work together to bring about jobs and redevelopment, Mr. Onorato said.

As part of the partnership, the Penguins are willing to discuss a possible community benefits agreement with Hill leaders and representatives similar to ones that have been negotiated in other cities, including Los Angeles and New York, regarding development.

"We're very encouraged that good things are going to happen out of this meeting today," said the Rev. Johnnie Monroe, pastor of the Grace Memorial Presbyterian Church and part of the Hill District group.

Jake Wheatley, the state representative from the Hill who has been supportive of the group, described the partnership as a "very good opportunity for us to do some great things."

"Right now I want the Hill District to be treated like any other community that we have in this region and be respected and be at the table and I think with the leadership of the county executive and the mayor we are on that road right now," he said.

Mr. Morehouse said arena construction alone should create thousands of jobs and thousands more should follow as redevelopment takes place at the Mellon Arena site. He said the team will look at creating programs to provide jobs specifically for minorities and Hill District residents.

Mr. Ravenstahl said the four parties will continue to meet to discuss jobs and other possible community benefits.

"The meeting today was more of a team-building effort and I think we achieved that goal," he said.

City Councilwoman Tonya Payne, who represents the Hill and who attended yesterday's meeting, said she was satisfied with the outcome. She has been critical of the approach taken by the group of Hill residents and church leaders in developing a term sheet. She said her hope is that Hill residents "will actually see the development they would like to see."

"They're going to tell us what they like. If they like jobs, if they like housing, if they like business, they're going to tell us and we're here to make sure that that happens," she said.

Mr. Morehouse said the Pens also plan to include Uptown community, Duquesne University, and Downtown stakeholders in the planning.