Hill benefits negotiations to continue over weekend
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City, Allegheny County and Hill District leaders reported substantial progress toward reaching a deal on a community benefits agreement related to the construction of a new arena.
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato and leaders of the One Hill Community Benefits Association reported the progress after meeting for nearly three hours this afternoon in Sports and Exhibition Authority offices. One of the new twists to the agreement is that the city and the Penguins jointly have offered $2 million as seed money toward the construction of a grocery store in the Hill. A Hill grocery store is one of the major planks that Hill District leaders are seeking in negotiations.
Officials said that they may end up meeting again this weekend in an effort to finalize an agreement. Lawyers for both sides will be drafting and revising language for a final agreement.
No decision has been made at this point on whether Mr. Ravenstahl will seek to postpone Monday's Planning Commission vote on an arena master plan. A decision on what to do about that will be made based on whatever progress is made this weekend.
First Published January 11, 2008 6:11 pm
