Hill House honors Elsie Hillman

The Kaufmann Center will be undergoing a major $3 million state-of-the-art renovation as part of a Hill House Capital and Endowment Campaign. With the renovations comes a new name: The Elsie H. Hillman Auditorium at Kaufmann Center. Elsie Hillman, a co-founder of the Hill House Association, has been deeply involved for the last 45 years. "She has been near and dear to the Hill House, every step of the way," said Hill House President Evan Frazier.

The improved site includes seating for 550 (from a 350-person capacity), a conference center with up-to-date technology, a full-service kitchen, and an outdoor amphitheater attracting national artists, performances, and corporate annual meetings to the Hill District community. Hill House President Evan Frazier said the new facility will host Hill District speaker series, jazz festivals, and African American Film Festivals.

Barden Refinancing Hearing Put On Hold

PITG Gaming owner and Majestic Star Casino developer Don Barden asked the state Gaming Control Board for a hearing extension about his $630 million refinancing plan. PITG spokesman Bob Oltmanns says litigation costs, market failings, and other delays have hiked up the amount needed to complete the casino. As a result, they are proposing to change several aspects of the agreement that predicated their award of a gaming license. PITG wants to refinance through Credit Suisses, delay construction of non-gaming facilities, and divert a $3 million grant for Hill District redevelopment. Oltmanns says while there was no explicit agreement that PITG would invest in the Hill only if they received redevelopment rights to Mellon Arena, it was understood in negotiations that whoever won the gaming license would also gain those rights. They were awarded to the Penguins. Oltmanns says Barden wants permission from the city to spend the money in other ways in the Hill. He would not speculate on PITG's next move if the plan is denied.

One Hill Coalition to vote on CBA

The One Hill Coalition will be holding a vote on Saturday May 10Th, to decide if they will accept the proposed Community Benefits Agreement. The Preliminary agreement says the Penguins will contribute $500,000 a year for six years, with a six year option. The residents of the Hill will have a chance at hiring for development jobs a week before anyone else, the Penguins and the city will contribute $2 million towards a new grocery store, and Don Barden will donate $3 million dollars.
The 100+ members will vote between 10 am and 1 pm on the 10Th.

Freedom Corner to soon become City owned Monument

Pittsburgh City Councilwoman Tonya Payne would like to see the city take over ownership for Freedom Corner in the Hill District. The Monument is currently owned by the Urban Redevolpment Authority. Ms. Payne says she does not forsee any problems in the city acquiring the monument because she is on the board, Senator Jim Ferlo who is on the board has already donated $500 to a trust fund for the monument and the Mayor's chief of staff is on the board as well. After the URA Board approves transition the City council of PIttsburgh would have to approve it, followed by the Mayor.

One Hill to go before County Council

The One Hill Coalition will be in front of County Council tonight demanding action on two fronts. First is for a public hearing on the community benefits agreement they are trying to reach with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Secondly, they will voice their support for a Bill Robinson bill that would strongly encourage a Community Benefits Analysis to become commonplace when there is new development or other issues that would warrant such an analysis.

August Wilson Home Closer to Historic Preservation

Playwright August Wilson won acclaim for his Pittsburgh Cycle, set partly in his childhood home in Pittsburgh's Hill District. Wilson passed away in 2005, and his nephew Paul Ellis, Jr. now owns the structure. The process Ellis began to have the building designated a historic structure is nearing its close, despite delays in Pittsburgh City Council.
In a public hearing today, family, fans, and community members all spoke in support of preserving the artist's home. The city's Historic Review Commission recommended approval because of its ties with regional and national cultural development. Ellis wants to use the now-vacant home as a retreat for writers. Wilson's sister Frieda Ellis says the house is important to the life and future of the Hill. The Young Preservationists Association and Preservation Pittsburgh also gave their support.
Some speakers used part of their allotted 3 minutes to chastise Council members for dragging their feet in getting the nomination to a vote. According to the city code, the nomination expired in early February, but council will proceed with a vote next week because it wasn't Ellis' fault. Marimba Millones of the Hill Community Development Corporation asked the Council to look into the matter and report its findings. Councilwoman Tonya Payne represents the Hill and chaired the Planning, Zoning, and Land Use Committee at the time. She says she doesn't think an investigation is necessary.
Councilman Ricky Burgess recently introduced a measure to extend Council's time to vote on historic nominations, with a provision that if they're recommended by the Historic Review Commission, they automatically pass even if council takes no action.
Councilman Bill Peduto said they will begin addressing this and other procedure problems tomorrow in Council.

Fight over Hill CBA continues

The chairman of One Hill went before the Sports and Exhibition Authority board yesterday to call on its members to vote no one any agenda item related to the construction of a new arena for the Penguins. Carl Redwood says the team has not been a willing participant in the negotiations for a community benefits agreement or CBA. One Hill has been trying to reach a deal with the team and elected officials to guarantee jobs and other benefits for Hill District residents. Redwood says if the SEA gives all of the needed approvals before a deal is reached there will be no incentive for the Penguins to ever come to the table. He says he feels like his organization is being strung along. County Executive Dan Onorato says that is not the case. He says he and other officials are negotiating in good faith and he expects to reach a deal soon. However, he says, the residents of the hill are not the only people he represents.

Grocery Chain looks at Hill

The Save-A-Lot grocery store chain says it has some interest in putting a store in the hill district but officials say they are in the very preliminary phases of the evaluation process. Save-A-Lot boasts 1,180 stores in 39 states including 6 in southwestern Pennsylvania and the company thinks there is room to add 4 more stores in the area. Save-a-Lot director of development Dick Koop says the chain focuses on the 44-percent of US households with incomes of 35 thousand dollars or less and it likes to be close to those homes. He says the Hill District seems to fit the bill. Hill residents in the past have called for what the term a “full service” grocery store with a pharmacy, bakery and baggers. Koop says they see providing high quality produce, meat and other groceries while hiring local workers as being full service. Save-A-Lot looked at the Hill in the past and decided to not open a store. Koop says the community looks more appealing today than it may have then.