A large mixed-use development plan for Pittsburgh's former Civic Area site now has full approval from the city.
The Pittsburgh City Council approved "a zoning change that will allow the Penguins’ proposed $440 million redevelopment of the former Civic Arena site in the lower Hill District to proceed," reports Robert Zullo.
The decision culminates years of planning and negotiation between the team, the Hill District Community Development Corp, the city, and more. In January, for instance, a judge cleared a settlement that allowed the development of a corporate headquarters for U.S. Steel to be built on the site.
The project's final approval included an odd twist: Councilmember Daniel Lavelle, the major legislative force behind the development proposal, was "conspicuously absent" from the final vote after a bout of car trouble. Due to his absence, the final version of the legislation was stripped of several amendments introduced by Councilmember Lavelle in a committee meeting just the prior week.
Read the full story: City council approves zoning change, allowing redevelopment of Civic Arena site to advance
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