PPG Paints Arena

Coordinates: 40°26′22″N -79°59′21″E / 40.43944°N 78.01083°W / 40.43944; -78.01083 Coordinates: longitude degrees < 0 with hemisphere flag
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Template:Stadium under construction

New Pittsburgh Arena
File:Pens Arena.jpg
Map
LocationBetween Center Ave and 5th Ave in Hill District
OwnerPittsburgh Sports and Exhibition Authority
OperatorPittsburgh Arena Operating LP/SMG
Capacity18,087 (Hockey)
19,000 (Basketball)
SurfaceIce
Construction
Broke groundAugust 14, 2008
Construction costUS$290 million
ArchitectHOK Sport
Tenants
Pittsburgh Penguins

The New Pittsburgh Arena is an arena being built in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as the second home arena of the Pittsburgh Penguins, the city's NHL hockey team. It is expected to open in time for the 2010-11 NHL hockey season.[1] The new arena will replace the Penguins current arena, Mellon Arena, which was built in 1961. The Arena Football League has considered putting an expansion team in the new arena.[2] Ground was ceremonially broken on August 14, 2008.

Planning and funding

The Lemieux Group explored options to build a replacement for Mellon Arena, the oldest and lowest capacity arena in the NHL, since its purchase of the Penguins in 1999.[3] In an attempt not to use public funding, the Penguins filed for a slots license under the Pennsylvaina Gaming Control Board. The Penguins were granted the license, though the decision of which casino company would receive approval was the Gaming Control Board's decision.[4] Lemieux Group reached an agreement with Isle of Capri Casinos, which offered to fully fund a US$290 million arena, if Capri could also construct a $500 million casino nearby.[4] Other casinos, including Majestic Star Casino and Forest City Enterprises, also agreed to partially contribute to the arena's funding.[5] On December 20, 2006, the Gaming Control Board awarded the license to Majestic Star Casino, who agreed to pay $7.5 million for the first 30 years,[6] in addition to the Penguins paying $4 million per year.[7][8] The casino experienced financial difficulty, which could have led to taxpayers financing the entire project. However, on August 14, 2008 the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board selected Neil Bluhm to take ownership of the casinos, which pulled the casinos out of risk of bankruptcy.[9]

The arena was agreed upon by Penguins owner Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh mayor Luke Ravenstahl, and Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell on March 13, 2007, after much negotiation.[10] During negotiations, the Penguins explored moving the franchise to Kansas City or Las Vegas; after the deal was made the Penguins agreed to stay in Pittsburgh for at least thirty more years.[10] However Lemieux later admitted, at the new arena ground-breaking ceremony, that relocating the franchise was never a possibility, but instead it was a negotiation tactic to help the team get funding for the arena from both state and local officials.[11] The arena was originally scheduled to open for the 2009–10 NHL season, however, it has since been pushed back to the 2010–11 NHL season.[12][13] The new arena is expected to cost approximately $290 million.[14] The Penguins have agreed to pay $3.8 million per year toward construction, with an additional $400,000 per year toward capital improvements.[10] The arena is expected to help the surrounding area grow financially; plans are in place to construct a bar and a grocery store nearby.[15][16]

Design and construction

HOK Sport, designers of both PNC Park and Heinz Field, will design the new building, while the ICON Venue group will oversee the building of the arena.[17] Over one dozen buildings were razed in order to create room for the new arena.[14] On April 8, 2008, HOK Sport presented design renderings to the Pittsburgh City Planning Commission, receiving negative feedback.[1] Local architect Rob Pfaffmann went so far as to say, "If I put a Home Depot sign on that, it looks like a Home Depot."[1] HOK Sport returned on May 6 with new plans, which were unanimously approved by the City Planning Commission.[18][19] The Penguins have contacted the Pittsburgh Technology Council, which includes 1,400 businesses, in order to find new technologies to implement into the arena's design.[20] Technologies "including the potential use of on-demand televised replays and touch-screen food menus in luxury suites" have been explored.[20] The arena's capacity will be 18,087 for hockey, in honor of Sidney Crosby's number 87,[3] and 19,000 for basketball games.[21] The venue will hold 14,536 to 19,758 for concerts, depending on the layout. The venue will also include 2,000 box seats and 62 suites.[21]

Mario Lemieux along with officials from the state and local governments ceremonially broke ground on a new hockey arena on August 14, 2008.[22] Shovels, with shafts made from team captain Sidney Crosby's used hockey sticks, were used for the ground-breaking ceremony.[23][24]

References

  1. ^ a b c Belko, Mark (2008-04-09). "New arena design takes its lumps". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. pp. B1, 3. Retrieved 2008-04-11. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  2. ^ Batiste, Tyler (2007-06-19). "AFL eyes Pittsburgh for possible expansion". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2008-04-11. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ a b Dvorchak, Robert (2008-08-15). "A new nest for the Penguins". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2008-08-31. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  4. ^ a b Cowden, Michael (2006-04-11). "Penguins: Support for casino should be a 'no brainer'". USA Today. Retrieved 2008-08-31. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  5. ^ Mauriello, Tracie (2006-12-20). "PITG wins slots casino license for North Side". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2008-08-31. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ Conte, Andrew (2008-12-06). "Analysts: Isle of Capri favored to win". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 2008-08-31. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  7. ^ Associated Press (2006-12-20). "Pa. gaming board awards 5 slots licenses in historic session". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 2008-08-15. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  8. ^ Associated Press (2008-08-06). "Penguins to break ground on new arena Aug. 14". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 2008-08-15. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ Barnes, Tom (2008-08-15). "Casino project back on track". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2008-08-15. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  10. ^ a b c Belko, Mark (2007-03-13). "Arena deal keeps Penguins in Pittsburgh". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2008-04-11. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  11. ^ Boren, Jeremy (2008-08-15). "Countdown to 2010; arena construction begins". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 2008-08-15. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ Associated Press (2007-08-02). "Penguins to open new arena in 2010-11 season". NHL.com. Retrieved 2008-05-24.
  13. ^ Belko, Mark (2007-08-03). "Penguins delay arena opening until 2010". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2008-07-03. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  14. ^ a b Smydo, Joe (2008-03-23). "Out with the old, in with the arena". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2008-04-11. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  15. ^ Conte, Andrew (2008-08-19). "Hill to get $2 million aid for grocery, more". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 2008-08-31. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  16. ^ DeParma, Ron (2008-08-30). "Pens' arena expected to lure growth". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 2008-08-31. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  17. ^ "Penguins choose firms to create new arena". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 2007-05-16. Retrieved 2008-07-03. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  18. ^ Belko, Mark (2008-05-08). "Planners approve final design for Penguins' arena". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2008-05-08. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  19. ^ "New Arena Plan Approved by City Planning Commission". PittsburghPenguins.com. 2008-06-07. Retrieved 2008-05-07.
  20. ^ a b Belko, Mark (2008-05-13). "The future is now for technology at Penguins' new arena". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2008-05-13. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  21. ^ a b Smizik, Bob (2008-08-15). "Arena groundbreaking is great day for hockey". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2008-08-15. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  22. ^ "Government Officials, Penguins Break Ground on New Multi-Purpose Arena" (Press release). PittsburghPenguins.com. 2008-08-14. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  23. ^ Dvorchak, Bob (2008-08-14). "Ground broken for Penguins' new home". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2008-08-14. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  24. ^ "Government Officials, Penguins Break Ground on New Multi-Purpose Arena". PittsburghPenguins.com. 2008-08-14. Retrieved 2008-08-14.

External links

Preceded by Home of the
Pittsburgh Penguins
ca. 2010 – future 		Succeeded by
future

40°26′22″N -79°59′21″E / 40.43944°N 78.01083°W / 40.43944; -78.01083 Coordinates: longitude degrees < 0 with hemisphere flag
{{#coordinates:}}: invalid longitude

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