A proposed $11 million development in Pittsburgh’s Lower Hill District would include a new entertainment venue, a six-story parking garage, retail space and a public safety station on the former Civic Arena site.
Pittsburgh Arena Real Estate Redevelopment, the development arm of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and several partners presented plans for the development to the Planning Commission last week.
“We remain optimistic about the opportunities we are creating in the Lower Hill District,” said Chris Buccini, co-president of Buccini/Pollin Group, the lead developer for the project.
Plans include a 95,000-square-foot entertainment venue and a parking garage that could accommodate about 910 vehicles, plus bicycles.
The plans also include space for retail throughout the development and a small business incubator in the entertainment venue, Buccini said.
The entertainment venue, which is being constructed in partnership with Live Nation and others, would seat 4,500 people, Buccini said.
Previous plans for the development would’ve included an outdoor component for the venue, but that has been removed “because of noise issues,” he said.
Planning Commission Chair Christine Mondor said she appreciated the public safety station being incorporated into plans for the parking garage. It would be used primarily for EMS workers and ambulances and include a kitchen area, lockers, a fitness center, office space, restrooms and storage space for first responders at the site.
“It’s great that we’re putting this public safety use there,” Mondor said, adding that she’d like to see that portion of the development have more of a “presence” to welcome the public.
The Planning Commission is expected to vote on this proposed phase of development on the former Civic Arena site in January.
Elsewhere on the site, the new First National Bank Tower being built nearby is “fast underway,” Buccini said.
Residential development also is on horizon, along with more office space and retail, said Tim McNulty, a spokesman for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Whether the development will include additional parking “will be addressed at a later date,” McNulty said.
Julia Felton is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Julia by email at jfelton@triblive.com or via Twitter .
