A city design advisory panel is pressing the Penguins to create a public thoroughfare between Centre and Fifth avenues as part of the design for the $290 million arena.

The Contextual Design Advisory Panel met privately with team officials and their architects yesterday to discuss the concerns as the project heads to the planning commission for a briefing next week.

The advisory panel makes recommendations to the planning commission.

City Planning Director Noor Ismail said afterwards the panel still had concerns about the absence of a pedestrian thoroughfare along Washington Place between Centre and Fifth on the west side of the arena.

That side will feature a dramatic 40- to 80-foot glass atrium facing Downtown.

The Penguins will provide for pedestrian circulation inside the building that will take visitors from Centre to Fifth and vice versa.

But Ms. Ismail said the design advisory panel also would like to see the team design a thoroughfare outside between the 18,500-seat arena and the Epiphany Church.

The Penguins have resisted, saying the church didn't want such a connection for safety reasons, according to Ms. Ismail.

The team declined comment after yesterday's meeting.

The arena design and master plan will go before the planning commission for a briefing on Tuesday and a public hearing on Dec. 11.

A vote is set for Jan. 11.