The Penguins "are preparing to break ground on a development that officials say will help sustain the Stanley Cup-winning hockey franchise and rebuild one of Pittsburgh's downtrodden neighborhoods," according to Bob Bauder of the PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW. Development of the former Civic Arena site -- with an estimated $500M "in apartments, offices, shops and entertainment venues -- is expected to begin this year with street construction on the vacant 28 acres." Penguins COO Travis Williams said that the team, "through its connection to the neighborhood and national profile, is uniquely positioned to attract investors and produce a quality destination." Williams: "That's an ultimate benefit to the economy and the city. It certainly has a positive impact on the overall (Penguins) organization and our long-term sustainability." Williams said that the team's real estate ventures "are separate from hockey operations." Williams: "Our hockey business stands on its own, independent of the development. We're not relying on the development to be competitive on the ice." Bauder noted the Penguins hired St. Louis-based real estate investment firm McCormack Baron Salazar "to develop the housing." The firm "built Crawford Square and Bedford Hill in the Hill District." McCormack Baron COO Vince Bennett said that the company "is looking for a minority-owned firm to play a role in developing housing." He added that the goal is "to start building 200 apartments next fall." Buildings "would be four to 10 stories tall" (PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 10/6).
THE NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH: In Pittsburgh, Mark Belko reported some residents last night during a public meeting "continued to attack the levels of affordable housing budgeted for the arena site, while others worried that the development that takes place there would cause rents to rise elsewhere in the neighborhood and force them to relocate" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 10/7). Williams said that affordable housing would make up 20% of the development, "with the least-expensive units costing about $600 a month for a one-bedroom apartment" (PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 10/7).
HOPE YOU CAME HUNGRY: In Pittsburgh, Bob Batz Jr. noted the Penguins and concessionaire Aramark yesterday "held the first 'Taste of the Arena' event" at Consol Energy Center to "introduce some season-ticket holders and others to more than two dozen news foods" available this season (POST-GAZETTE.com, 10/6). Also in Pittsburgh, Michael Machosky writes some of the new food options "work quite well." The Pittsburgh Pierogi Nachos "are surprisingly good, with fried mini-pierogies, shaved kielbasa, a light white-cheese sauce and pepperoncinis." The Polish Hill Pretzel Sandwich "also works." There is a "good amount of vegetarian and gluten-free items, too, served at a gluten-free stand in the arena" (TRIBLIVE.com, 10/6).
