Hill leaders debate future planning
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The push for a unified vision for the Hill District started yesterday with a divisive news conference.
Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Councilwoman Tonya Payne announced at the Hill's new Carnegie Library branch that they're seeking a consultant to craft a $350,000 master plan for the neighborhood. It would guide city decisions on aiding and approving development proposals.
But when Ms. Payne asked for a few words from state Rep. Jake Wheatley -- in effect offering an olive branch to someone on the other side of the Hill's longtime political divide -- she got more than she bargained for.
"I think it's very ironic that we're in a campaign season and we're pointing at all of the wonderful things going on in the Hill District," said Mr. Wheatley. The planning process "was forced" by neighborhood pressure, he said, and no one should claim victory.
The master plan, which may take a year to finish, is one plank in the Community Benefits Agreement reached between Hill leaders and the city, Allegheny County and Penguins in August.
The eight months it took from the signing of the agreement to the launch of the planning process angered some neighborhood leaders, who said they only got this far because they threatened, last month, to hold a news conference decrying the delay.
Carl Redwood, chairman of the One Hill Coalition, said it was "great that we're moving with the process" but said the city was "six months late in starting." That's a problem, he said, because the agreement calls for completion of the master plan by Feb. 19, and keeps the Penguins from starting to develop the 28-acre site on which Mellon Arena and its parking lots sit only until that date.
"Since the city has dragged its feet for six months, they have the responsibility to give the community an additional six months," said Daniel Lavelle, a former aide to Mr. Wheatley who is running against Ms. Payne in the May 19 Democratic primary. He pressed her to promise not to let the Penguins' plans advance before the community's plan is done.
"I wouldn't support any plan that would jump before the community," said Ms. Payne.
Mr. Wheatley then accused her of supporting the failed Isle of Capri casino plan "without any community support." She said there was some support for the proposed casino-arena complex on the Hill, which she endorsed.
The Penguins' "plan is to work with the Hill District community on the master planning process," said team spokesman Tom McMillan. "We've really just begun to discuss, internally, what our plans will be" for the 28-acre site.
The city, county and perhaps foundations are expected to pay for the master plan.
Mr. Redwood said he hopes it will consider concepts like the creation of an overlook trail near Bigelow Boulevard, mixed-income housing, a grocery store promised under the agreement, and even the possible emergence of a "geothermal corridor" tapping the energy-producing potential of mine water below Herron Avenue. He wants it to prioritize different concepts, and acknowledged that each part of the neighborhood will want to be first in line for new investments.
The process, he said, will include "a whole bunch of meetings where we argue."
First Published April 24, 2009 12:00 am
