Civic Arena loses again: Pittsburgh planning commission rejects historic designation
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Page Thomas, Jim Costello and Maelene Myers of the city planning commission listen to statements about nominating the Civic Arena for historic status.
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The noose is tightening around the Civic Arena.
City planning commission members unanimously rejected a historic designation for the 49-year-old building Tuesday, moving it a step closer to demolition.
The arena's fate now rests in the hands of city council, which voted against historic status for the Igloo eight years ago.
Tuesday's vote deals yet another blow to the efforts by local preservationists, led by architect Rob Pfaffmann, to save the arena from destruction by designating it a city historic structure.
Earlier this month, the city historic review commission also voted against the designation. Because both the planning and review commissions recommended against historic status, it will take the votes of at least six of nine council members to override that.
Nonetheless, preservationists said they were prepared to battle to the end to save the distinctive landmark with a one-of-a-kind retractable roof.
"I know it's a lost cause. The vote's apparently in from all the entities down here," said Eloise McDonald, the Hill District resident who nominated the arena for historic status. "So we have one more stop, which is city council, and I'm hoping they can see things as they really, really are."
The city-Allegheny County Sports & Exhibition Authority, the arena's owner, wants to tear down the building as part of a plan by the Penguins to redevelop the site and adjacent land, 28 acres in all, for housing, offices and commercial activities.
It was that vision that swayed at least some of the planning commission members. The Penguins estimate that the redevelopment would create 4,000 construction jobs and 3,000 permanent jobs, and would generate $25 million annually in tax revenue.
"That, to me, is a larger priority than an inanimate object," commissioner John Valentine said.
He also said redevelopment would give the city an opportunity to right a wrong that occurred half a century ago when part of the lower Hill was destroyed to make way for the arena.
"We have a chance to set the Hill back on the right path," he said. "And to me that economic development, along with that stigma of that building, the right decision is to reject historic preservation and move this project forward."
First Published March 23, 2011 12:00 am
