Peduto calls out Penguins for lack of development on Civic Arena site

Mayor Bill Peduto is criticizing the Pittsburgh Penguins for their handling of the old Civic Arena site.

The franchise just got another extension to buy part of that site, which upsets Peduto, but not as much as all the delays do.

He says if he doesn't hear something in a couple of days, the city is going to take action.

“I want to see the Penguins have the commitment back to the public just like the public had to them,” Peduto said. “And I want to see that within the next few days.”

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Peduto is talking about plans to develop the 28-acre site of the old Civic Arena, saying tens of millions of public dollars have already been spent on infrastructure such as new roads, water and sewer and lighting.

He says the Pens haven't upheld their end of the bargain to begin developing this land with a mix of commercial, residential and office space.

“Everything that we did on our side of the deal to make this development happen, has been done,” he said. “But the Pens have not invested their own private money into it to make it happen. They're still looking for government handouts in order to make it happen. And that's just not going to happen.”

The Pens had a deal to build a new headquarters here for U.S. Steel, but the company backed out. Since then, the team has struggled to find a new tenant.

The Sports and Exhibition Authority and the Urban Redevelopment Authority agreed to give the Pens until Nov. 9 to start development. Still, Peduto says he's frustrated by all the delays, and if he doesn't hear something soon, he's threatening to take the land.

“The simple truth is that we will take back the public land that they have under the agreement and we will start to develop the property ourselves,” he said.

The team had no comment when contacted by Channel 11.

On Thursday, the team president said they spent millions of dollars on predevelopment work and that they have retained companies for residential office and entertainment projects.

Cox Media Group