PITTSBURGH, PA (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Pittsburgh's City Council has cleared the way for the demolition of Civic Arena, known to locals as The Igloo as early as this August.
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the council voted 6-3 to reject historic status for the venue, which has served as a home for sports, concerts, political rallies and other events since it opened in 1961.
Though members of the 'Reuse the Igloo' coalition say they still have some options, the city council's decision likely spells the end of the venue.
"I feel really disappointed, obviously, but not for myself or preservationists, but for the people who are going to lose the most, the next generation of the Hill District who won't be able to enjoy the building and its potential," Rob Pfaffmann, head of the Reuse Coalition told the Post-Gazette.
Longtime Civic Arena tenants, the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins hold development rights for the 28-acre tract currently occupied by the arena. Travis Williams, CEO of the Penguins told the Post-Gazette that the Penguins will continue to look for state and federal funding to redevelop the property in for mixed commercial, residential and retail use.
"It's been a long process, but one in which ultimately City Council came up with the right decision," Williams told the Post-Gazette. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
