Jan 8, 2008 1:49 pm US/Eastern
Neighborhood Group Opposes Penguins Arena Plan
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
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Last night, members of One Hill Coalition lit fire to the plan for new arena.
KDKA
A coalition of community groups in the Hill District is firing back at a proposed community benefits agreement for the city's new multi-purpose arena.
The One Hill Coalition says the city and county have fallen short on their plans for the community.
As KDKA Investigators first reported, local government officials have signed off on a series of development plans that include a grocery store, a recreation center and a job center.
Hill residents literally put that agreement up in flames last night.
They argue it ignores other issues that were negotiated over the past three months.
Members of the One Hill Coalition say they hope city and county officials will come back to the negotiating table with what they're calling a fair community benefits agreement.
Today, they held a tour for local officials and the media.
The purpose of the tour was to show ways the Hill District can benefit from a new arena.
Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato released this statement: "I respect the Hill District residents, and I share their goal of positive development on the Mellon Arena site and in the broader Hill District community. I am committed to working with the residents, the Pittsburgh Penguins and private developers, as well as city, county and state elected officials, to implement the community benefits agreement, including the housing, social services, business support and commercial development initiatives outlined in the agreement."
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