Sorry to see the Civic Arena go (Pittsburgh, Washington: school, living)

[greg42]

How many times do we have to have this argument? I argued it too back a year or more ago I think it was. Now I am over it.

I believe they should do the monument to itself that we came up with, leaving the roof support and a piece of the roof, allowing for streets to work, even underneath it. But so typical that all we can have is all or nothing solutions.

[raubre]

Originally Posted by greg42

I believe they should do the monument to itself that we came up with, leaving the roof support and a piece of the roof, allowing for streets to work, even underneath it. But so typical that all we can have is all or nothing solutions.

Like a tunnel? If so, that may cause more traffic, considering Pittsbughers slow down in tunnels.

[SammyKhalifa]

Originally Posted by raubre

Actually it seems like the yinzers are the ones who want to keep it from being torn down. They like everything old and useless. They don't like progress

I can actually see both sides of it. It's not as cut-and-dry as either "side" seems to want it to be. They could do things with the old building other than keeping it an ice arena if they so chose. Need a parking garage? The place already has ramps and large entrances. I bet they could put a hell of a lot of stores and apartments in there too. Again, if they chose. I don't know if it would cost more to do that than to build brand new buildings or not.

[BrianTH]

I'd agree the people lacking vision are the people who think the best we can do with this site is an empty dome surrounded by surface parking which brings back some fond memories to a few people.

Sammy, there have been many attempts to come up with a viable re-use plan for the Arena. Professional architects tried, they held a design competition, and so on. None of the plans was remotely competitive with developing the site without the Arena. The basic problem is the Arena just takes up way too much land for what you can plausibly do within it, even thinking creatively, and it also interferes with the nearby portions of the site due to its size, shape, and placement.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by raubre

Like a tunnel? If so, that may cause more traffic, considering Pittsbughers slow down in tunnels.

The designs we were playing with were more like a memorial arch.

[bboy36win]

My 2 (worthless) cents:

The roof was cool, and the design was interesting ... but those things don't pay the bills, baby. The CEC may be boring, but it's a revenue-generating machine. And that's why it was built. Waxing poetic about its aesthetics seems kind of pointless to me ... as does making generalizations about past generations because you hate the highways they built.

[Impala26]

Originally Posted by bboy36win

My 2 (worthless) cents:

The roof was cool, and the design was interesting ... but those things don't pay the bills, baby. The CEC may be boring, but it's a revenue-generating machine. And that's why it was built. Waxing poetic about its aesthetics seems kind of pointless to me ... as does making generalizations about past generations because you hate the highways they built.

A sporting venue can be aesthetically pleasing AND a revenue generator at the same time. Ever been to a little place called PNC Park? As a matter of fact, the aesthetics of that place are HUGE factor driving the attendance there over this last decade. The Pirates likely wouldn't have made HALF of the revenue they made with Three Rivers or an equally dull replacement.

CEC has ONE interesting side to it, the glass facade facing the corner of Washington Place and Fifth Ave. Otherwise, it's a silver and tan box with a handful of other windows poking out. Let's hope the Penguins franchise can stay competitive so they can keep filling that box.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by Impala26

Ever been to a little place called PNC Park?

Not so little. In total, I think PNC Park takes up approximately four times as much land as Consol.

I'm not saying Consol couldn't have been prettier, but I think people are discounting too much what Consol does NOT do, which is not taking up more valuable land than it needs to. I'd also note that given the large portion of public funding for Consol, including an ongoing sweetheart lease deal for the Penguins, you always have to ask if prettying up Consol would be a good use of such funds.

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

Say what you will about the impending decimation of the Civic Arena, but if it can serve to help reconnect the severed ties between Downtown and the Hill District, then I'm all for it. Actually, assuming the Penguins are going to be planning some market-rate apartments on the site (does anybody know if there will be living options or not?) I'd love to live there.

Any longed for reconnection of the Hill with Downtown won't happen. I-579 will be a psychological barrier. I've seen it in Atlanta as I-75 cuts the city in two.

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

I'd also note that given the large portion of public funding for Consol, including an ongoing sweetheart lease deal for the Penguins, you always have to ask if prettying up Consol would be a good use of such funds.

There are numerous examples of present day grateful citizens that past generations built architecturally pretty buildings. Might as well do it right otherwise future generations will eventually destroy the eyesore.