Hill residents press council on arena agreement
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More than 35 people, many from the Hill District, testified before City Council this morning in support of a community benefits agreement around the proposed replacement for Mellon Arena.
Supporters portrayed an agreement being negotiated with the city, county, and Penguins as a way to ensure that the neighborhood benefits from the public investment in the $290 million arena project. It also is a way to rectify a wrong that occurred when Mellon Arena was built and much of the lower Hill was demolished.
"We demand justice. We don't want a handout. We just don't want a repeat of the past," said Kimberly Ellis, a neighborhood activist who has been involved in the community benefit talks.
All speakers who attended the hearing were in favor of an agreement and some urged City Council to pass a non-binding resolution in support of the endeavor.
A number also urged the Penguins to return to the bargaining table. Carl Redwood, chairman of the One Hill CBA Coalition that is trying to negotiate an agreement, said the team hasn't participated in the talks since fall.
The neighborhood wants a guarantee of construction jobs; jobs in the arena when it opens; development of a supermarket in the neighborhood; and establishment of a development fund to help new businesses locate there.
City Council President Doug Shields said after the hearing that council needs to become more engaged in the process. He said that, until this point, members have been out of the loop.
City and county officials are expecting another round of negotiations this week and there is some belief that the issues have narrowed enough that they could be close to an agreement.
One Hill has appealed the city Planning Commission's approval of the project's master plan to Common Pleas Court, mostly because of the lack of a community benefits agreement. No date has been set for a hearing on the appeal.
More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
First Published March 3, 2008 1:07 pm
