The Pittsburgh Penguins envision a sprawling plan for Civic Arena site redevelopment, with housing, commercial space, and other features over 28 acres.
The Penguins have been working for years to bring new development to the 28-acre site, but previous efforts–including a plan for a new U.S. Steel headquarters–fell short. However, the effort appears to have new momentum, as Penguins affiliate Pittsburgh Arena Real Estate Redevelopment (PAR) unveiled plans for the property on Friday.
Under the latest proposal, a mixture of housing, commercial and office space, close to four acres of parks and green space, entertainment venues, a food hall, 220-room hotel, and other amenities would be mixed in over 28 acres. The plan is expected to yield as much as 1,420 units of housing, 810,000 square feet of office space, 190,000 square feet of retail, and 50,000 square feet of entertainment space.
Along with the scope of the project, the Penguins revealed a few other key details, including the selections of the Buccini/Pollin Group as master developer of the commercial and office components and Intergen as the lead housing developer. Construction on an initial 274 units of housing could begin this fall. More from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
“We think this development will be the center of energy for the region,” said David Morehouse, Penguins CEO and president.
In all, the new master plan calls for up to 1,420 units of housing, 810,000 square feet of office space, 190,000 square feet of retail, 50,000 square feet of entertainment, and a 220-room hotel.
It is expected to produce more than $750 million in private investment, 4,000 construction and 3,000 permanent jobs, and about $25 million in annual state and local tax revenues.
An estimated $25 million would be generated by a Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance Act district set up as part of the development, with the funds to be used to invest in the middle and upper Hill. That is one aspect of the community agreement worked out with Hill leaders to ensure that the neighborhood benefits from the development.
The Penguins currently play at PPG Paints Arena. PPG Paints Arena was built on a site adjacent to its predecessor, so this development will be part of the area immediately surrounding the facility.
Civic Arena, known affectionately by many as The Igloo, opened in 1961 and was home of the Penguins from 1967-2010. It was demolished in 2012, with the site used for parking in the years since.
Rendering courtesy Pittsburgh Penguins.
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