Gainey Backs Redevelopment Of Former Civic Area Site

PITTSBURGH, PA — State representative and Democratic mayoral nominee Ed Gainey is backing the initial phase of redevelopment of the former Civic Arena site in the lower Hill District. Gainey was among the Urban Redevelopment Authority board members who voted Thursday to advance construction of a 26-story office tower on the western edge of the site that will serve as headquarters for First National Bank.

“I’ve spent the last several weeks talking to Hill District residents, leaders, business owners, and stakeholders," Gainey said in a statement after his vote.

"I’ve come away from those conversations believing that the majority of folks in the Hill, though they may have some misgivings about aspects of the deal, ultimately want to see this development move forward so that the LERTA (local economic revitalization tax assistance money), expected to generate $40 million and other economic benefits can be returned to the Hill District and the city. I take seriously the community’s desire to see this process begin to move forward."

Looking ahead, Gainey said he intends to work to ensure that enhanced community benefits are included in future phases of the Lower Hill redevelopment and to guarantee that affordable housing is included in the next round of development.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority and the Sports & Exhibition Authority both gave critical approvals to the $230 million project Thursday.

Construction of the office tower, which will have more than 500,000 square feet of space, is expected to begin in the fall. The building will be the first development on the 28-acre arena site, which has been vacant since the arena closed in 2010 and then was demolished.

FNB plans to occupy nine floors of the building.