PPG Paints Arena

Overview In March 2007, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Allegheny County, City of Pittsburgh, the SEA, and the Lemieux Group LP agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to finance the development of a new multi-purpose arena. In November 2008, the final project budget was established at $321 million. The PPG Paints Arena is owned by the SEA and master leased to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Penguins had primary responsibility for design and construction.

A team of professional service firms was put in place to manage the construction process. The Penguins designated Populous (formerly HOK Sport) as the principal architect. They hired ICON Venue Group to provide developer's representative services, and a joint venture between PJ Dick-Hunt Construction Group- served as Construction Manager at-risk. The SEA contracted with a joint venture, Oxford-Chester Engineers, to provide owner representative services.

The arena ensures that the Penguins hockey team remains in Pittsburgh until 2039 and will also provide for an exciting venue for large concerts and other events. The arena seats approximately 18,087 hockey fans at capacity, approximately 1,000 more than the former Civic Arena. The arena development included Site Preparation and construction of a Garage. Key Facts Architect: Populous (formerly HOK Sport) Construction Manager: PJ Dick/Hunt Construction Group JV Development Cost: $319.7 million Total Number of Seats: 18387 Features The SEA completed the park with assistance from federal, state, local and philanthropic sources which include: Retail spaces along Fifth Avenue Total of 2.5 acres of public open space 642 car five-story parking garage The arena has three public entrances: Corner of Fifth Avenue and Washington Place (People's Gate) Centre Avenue and Logan Street Intersection, next to the Church of the Epiphany (Highmark Gate) Centre Avenue and Fuller Street intersection (Verizon Gate) The arena's project cost is $319.7 million, which includes both soft and hard costs. $290 million is funded by a 30 year revenue bond issue and backed by annual payments of $7.5 million from the Pennsylvania Economic Development and Tourism Fund, $7.5 million from the Pittsburgh casino license holder, and $4.1 million annual rent from Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Penguins and the Commonwealth are responsible for $15.5 million and $10 million, respectively. In addition, the PPG Paints Arena received a LEED-Gold certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), making the building the first LEED certified NHL arena. Schedule Design Start Date: April 2007 Construction Start: August 2008 Construction Final Completion: August 2010 Master Plan The SEA, the Department of City Planning, and the Penguins initiated a public planning process to engage neighborhood residents and key stakeholders in developing a Master Plan for the new arena.

The Penguins hired Urban Design Associates (“UDA”) to manage the public planning process, which included community participation meetings & focus groups, Contextual Design Advisory Panel (CDAP) briefings, Planning Commission (PC) briefings and hearings, and submission of a master plan. The public planning process was extensive in scope. On November 14th, 2007, UDA delivered the initial Master Plan submission to the Planning Commission on behalf of the Penguins and the SEA.

A site plan and further descriptions can be found in the Master Plan. Workforce Development Prior to the construction of the PPG Paints Arena, the SEA, in coordination with the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County workforce development personnel, organized a series of career-building workshops in August-September 2007 to promote career opportunities in the building trades and other growth industries. A series of 12 community workshops were held throughout the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.

The workshops presented free career building programs and resources to help people pursue a career in the building trades, access educational and skills brush-up services, and find opportunities in growth industries. The workshops reached out to economically disadvantaged communities and were held in neighborhood centers located in Rankin, East End, McKeesport, McKees Rocks, Wilkinsburg, North Side, Natrona Heights, Downtown (Hill District), West End, South Side, and Penn Hills.

The participants and guest panelists included the Builders Guild of Western Pennsylvania, Minority and Women Labor Education Agency (MWELA), Renaissance III 2000, Adult Basic and Literacy Education (ABLE), CareerLink and Greater PA Regional Council of Carpenters. The community workshops culminated in a region-wide career day, called City County Career Day (C3). C3 was a full-featured career day hosted by the City of Pittsburgh & Allegheny County.

It was produced by CareerLink, and organized with the help of the SEA to promote economic opportunities in Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh. The event was held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center on September 18th, 2007. Exhibitors included local and regional employers representing a wide range of industries such as: building trades, healthcare, technology, finance, advanced manufacturing, hospitality, and many others.

Over 4,500 people attended. C3 provided the opportunity for attendees to interview directly with potential employers for a variety of positions. C3 was made possible by the following organizations: Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry; Allegheny County; The City of Pittsburgh; Allegheny County Department of Human Service; Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board; Pittsburgh Partnership; The Builders Guild; CareerLink and the SEA.

Accessibility for Disabled Contact the SEA for ADA information at 412.393.0200 or sea-ada-info@pgh-sea.com. You may inquire for information or to share concerns or suggestions regarding accessibility to the SEA Offices or the David. L. Lawrence Convention Center.