New Pittsburgh Arena

Infobox Stadium
stadium_name = New Pittsburgh Arena
nickname =


fullname =
location = Between Center Ave and 5th Ave in Hill District
coordinates =
broke_ground = August 14, 2008
built =
opened =
renovated =
expanded =
closed =
demolished =
owner = Pittsburgh Sports and Exhibition Authority
operator = Pittsburgh Arena Operating LP/SMG
surface = Ice
construction_cost = US$290 million
architect = HOK Sport
structural engineer =
services engineer =
general_contractor =
project_manager =
main_contractors =
former_names =
tenants = Pittsburgh Penguins
seating_capacity = 18,087 (Hockey)
19,000 (Basketball)
dimensions =
scoreboard =

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.cite news |last= Belko|first= Mark|title= New arena design takes its lumps|pages= B1, 3|publisher= "Pittsburgh Post-Gazette"|date= 2008-04-09|url= http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08100/871581-53.stm|accessdate= 2008-04-11] 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. [cite news |last= Batiste|first= Tyler|title= AFL eyes Pittsburgh for possible expansion|publisher= "Pittsburgh Post-Gazette"|date= 2007-06-19|url= http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07170/795298-66.stm|accessdate= 2008-04-11] 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. 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. 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.cite news |first= Michael|last= Cowden|authorlink= Associated Press|title= Penguins: Support for casino should be a 'no brainer'|url= http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/penguins/2006-04-11-pittsburgh-arena_x.htm|publisher= "USA Today"|date= 2006-04-11|accessdate=2008-08-31] Other casinos, including Majestic Star Casino and Forest City Enterprises, also agreed to partially contribute to the arena's funding. [cite news |first= Tracie|last= Mauriello|coauthors= Mark Belko|title= PITG wins slots casino license for North Side|url= http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06354/747581-100.stm|publisher= "Pittsburgh Post-Gazette"|date= 2006-12-20|accessdate=2008-08-31] 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, [cite news |first= Andrew|last= Conte|title= Analysts: Isle of Capri favored to win|url= http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_482859.html|publisher= "Pittsburgh Tribune-Review"|date= 2008-12-06|accessdate=2008-08-31] in addition to the Penguins paying $4 million per year. [cite news |author= Associated Press|authorlink= Associated Press|title= Pa. gaming board awards 5 slots licenses in historic session|url= http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/breaking/s_485061.html|publisher= "Pittsburgh Tribune-Review"|date= 2006-12-20|accessdate=2008-08-15] cite news |author= Associated Press|authorlink= Associated Press|title= Penguins to break ground on new arena Aug. 14|url= http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/penguins/archive/s_581371.html|publisher= "Pittsburgh Tribune-Review"|date= 2008-08-06|accessdate=2008-08-15] 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. [cite news |first= Tom|last= Barnes|title= Casino project back on track|url= http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08228/904523-85.stm|publisher= "Pittsburgh Post-Gazette"|date= 2008-08-15|accessdate=2008-08-15]

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. 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. 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. [cite news |first= Jeremy|last= Boren|coauthors= Rob Rossi|title= Countdown to 2010; arena construction begins|url= http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_583018.html|publisher= "Pittsburgh Tribune-Review"|date= 2008-08-15|accessdate=2008-08-15] 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. [cite news |author=Associated Press |authorlink= Associated Press |title= Penguins to open new arena in 2010-11 season |url=http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?articleid=335606&page=NewsPage&service=page |publisher= NHL.com|date= 2007-08-02|accessdate=2008-05-24] [cite news |first= Mark|last= Belko|title= Penguins delay arena opening until 2010|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07215/806601-61.stm |publisher= "Pittsburgh Post-Gazette"|date= 2007-08-03|accessdate=2008-07-03] The new arena is expected to cost approximately $290 million. The Penguins have agreed to pay $3.8 million per year toward construction, with an additional $400,000 per year toward capital improvements.cite news |last= Belko|first= Mark|title= Arena deal keeps Penguins in Pittsburgh|publisher= "Pittsburgh Post-Gazette"|date= 2007-03-13|url= http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07072/769032-85.stm|accessdate= 2008-04-11] The arena is expected to help the surrounding area grow financially; plans are in place to construct a bar and a grocery store nearby. [cite news |first= Andrew|last= Conte|title= Hill to get $2 million aid for grocery, more|url= http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/penguins/archive/s_583630.html|publisher= "Pittsburgh Tribune-Review"|date= 2008-08-19|accessdate=2008-08-31] [cite news |first= Ron|last= DeParma|title= Pens' arena expected to lure growth|url= http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/penguins/archive/s_585610.html|publisher= "Pittsburgh Tribune-Review"|date= 2008-08-30|accessdate=2008-08-31]

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. [cite news |title= Penguins choose firms to create new arena|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07136/786455-61.stm |publisher= "Pittsburgh Post-Gazette"|date= 2007-05-16|accessdate=2008-07-03] Over one dozen buildings were razed in order to create room for the new arena.cite news |last= Smydo|first= Joe|title= Out with the old, in with the arena|publisher= "Pittsburgh Post-Gazette"|date= 2008-03-23|url= http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08083/867367-53.stm|accessdate= 2008-04-11] On April 8, 2008, HOK Sport presented design renderings to the Pittsburgh City Planning Commission, receiving negative feedback. 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." HOK Sport returned on May 6 with new plans, which were unanimously approved by the City Planning Commission. [cite news |first= Mark|last= Belko|title= Planners approve final design for Penguins' arena|url= http://www.pittsburghpostgazette.com/pg/08128/879704-53.stm|publisher= "Pittsburgh Post-Gazette"|date= 2008-05-08|accessdate=2008-05-08] [cite news |title= New Arena Plan Approved by City Planning Commission|url= http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=362675|publisher= PittsburghPenguins.com|date= 2008-06-07|accessdate=2008-05-07 ] 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.cite news |first= Mark |last= Belko|title= The future is now for technology at Penguins' new arena|url=http://www.pittsburghpostgazette.com/pg/08134/881292-61.stm |publisher= "Pittsburgh Post-Gazette"|date= 2008-05-13|accessdate=2008-05-13] Technologies "including the potential use of on-demand televised replays and touch-screen food menus in luxury suites" have been explored. The arena's capacity will be 18,087 for hockey, in honor of Sidney Crosby's number "87",cite news |first= Robert|last= Dvorchak|title= A new nest for the Penguins|url= http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08228/904464-61.stm|publisher= "Pittsburgh Post-Gazette"|date= 2008-08-15|accessdate=2008-08-31] and 19,000 for basketball games. 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.cite news |first= Bob|last= Smizik|title= Arena groundbreaking is great day for hockey|url= http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08228/904529-194.stm?cmpid=sports.xml|publisher= "Pittsburgh Post-Gazette"|date= 2008-08-15|accessdate=2008-08-15]

Mario Lemieux along with officials from the state and local governments ceremonially broke ground on a new hockey arena on August 14, 2008. [cite press release |title= Government Officials, Penguins Break Ground on New Multi-Purpose Arena |publisher= PittsburghPenguins.com|date= 2008-08-14|url= http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=379682|accessdate= 2008-08-19] Shovels, with shafts made from team captain Sidney Crosby's used hockey sticks, were used for the ground-breaking ceremony. [cite news |first= Bob|last= Dvorchak|title= Ground broken for Penguins' new home|url= http://www.postgazette.com/pg/08227/904321-100.stm|publisher= "Pittsburgh Post-Gazette"|date= 2008-08-14|accessdate=2008-08-14] [cite news |title= Government Officials, Penguins Break Ground on New Multi-Purpose Arena |url= http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=379682|publisher= PittsburghPenguins.com|date= 2008-08-14|accessdate=2008-08-14]

References

External links

* [http://penguins.nhl.com/arena/index.htm Official website]
* [http://www.post-gazette.com/images4/20070411Demolish.gifDiagram of the Arena's site]
* [http://penguins.nhl.com/fanzone/arena_cam.htm Live feed of construction]

succession box
title = Home of the
Pittsburgh Penguins
years = ca. 2010 – future
before = Mellon Arena
after = future