Penguins To Pay Community Benefits To Area Near New Arena

Agreement Ensures Community Around New  Penguins Arena Receives Benefits

The Pittsburgh-Allegheny County Sports & Exhibition Authority (SEA) Thursday "approved the outline of a community benefits agreement with Hill District residents" that is "meant to ensure that the Hill benefits from the construction" of the Penguins’ new $290M arena, according to Mike Wereschagin of the Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW. The community agreement, which is expected to be signed before the arena's groundbreaking Thursday, "will include a master development plan for the neighborhood, a grocery store and regular updates to keep residents apprised of job openings associated with the project." One Hill Chair Carl Redwood, whose community organization negotiated the agreement with local officials, said that the agreement also "will include tax credits meant to spur $500,000 in private business investment in the area." The SEA also "approved four arena construction contracts worth a total of $38.5[M]," including "a nearly $28[M] contract for electrical work" given to Pittsburgh-based Lighthouse Electric (Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 8/8). In Pittsburgh, Mark Belko reports the community benefits agreement "provides $2[M], including $1[M] from the Penguins" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 8/8).