Penguins Ceasing Redevelopment Of Civic Arena Site

PITTSBURGH, PA - The Penguins have announced they are halting the redevelopment of the 28-acre Civic Arena site after the city Urban Redevelopment Authority delayed approval of an office tower on the property.

The URA board on Thursday tabled a vote on approving the new building for two weeks. The 24-story FNB Financial Center would serve as headquarters for First National Bank; it would have 387,000 square feet of office space, as well as 20,000 square feet of dining, fitness, entertainment and retail.

"At this point, given the current economic conditions and the apparent lack of support from the URA, we are ceasing our development operations on the Lower Hill,” Penguins CEO David Morehouse said in a statement following the URA meeting.

The Penguins played their last game at the arena 10 years ago this week and then moved to the Consol Energy Center, now PPG Paints Arena. Their long-delayed plans to redevelop the arena site include a mix of residential, commercial and office space, entertainment and food venues, retail and parks and green space.