US Steel to build HQ on Civic Arena site

As we've documented here on Pensburgh, we've been waiting for a while to see how the Pittsburgh Penguins would develop the site that used to have the Civic Arena on it, and now plans will finally be released. From the Post-Gazette:

U.S. Steel is planning a single, multi-story, 250,000- to 300,000-square-foot building on Centre Avenue that will house 800 employees. Construction is expected to begin in the fall of 2015.

Details about the plans will be unveiled today during a Penguins’ news conference at 11 a.m. at Consol Energy Center. Gov. Tom Corbett is expected to attend.

U.S. Steel’s announcement will be a major coup for the Penguins in their efforts to redevelop the site, which is already slated to include 1,200 units of housing as part of a $440 million plan. With the U.S. Steel office building, the Penguins will be able to recruit commercial and retail activity to the site. Also, the presence of a major corporation puts the team in position to build another office building.

This should be a boon for the area and should open up for even more. With offices and housing, one would expect retail opportunities to also arise, which would benefit and serve Penguins fans on gameday. Beyond just the 41 times a year the Pens play, though, this development will affect the Hill and hopefully offer economic opportunities for the region 365 days of the year.