Arena Design Adjustments Announced

There have been some adjustments to the Pittsburgh Penguins' new arena design since approval of the Master Plan in January. Urban Design Associates President Don Carter says a pedestrian connection has been added on the west side, between Fifth and Centre Avenues, at the request of the Planning Commission. A reduction of ten feet in the height of the building will save money and lower the neighborhood profile, and Carter says other revisions were also well received at a public meeting in the Church of the Epiphany on March 17th: more windows on the east side of the arena facing the Hill District, and banners along Centre Avenue.

The revised Project Development Plan will be discussed at a public hearing on April 8th at 2 p.m. before the City Planning Commission, which will give their ruling on April 22nd. Carter says this is the final approval required from the Planning Commission--subsequent approvals will be by the Department of Building Inspection.