One Hill CBA Coalition

 Tentative Community Benefits Agreement Outline

The One Hill Coalition has reached a tentative agreement for a “first ever” Community Benefits Agreement in Pittsburgh after nearly seven months of negotiations with the Penguins, the SEA the City and the County.  This historic first step begins the process of ensuring that major economic development returns concrete benefits to the communities where it is located. 

 This agreement reflects a significant portion of the Blueprint for a Livable Hill encompassing nearly all the priorities set out by the Community, providing for family sustaining jobs in the development of the 28 acres around the arena, access to those jobs for Hill residents, community control of the development of a Master Plan, ongoing revenue for needed services in the hill, funds for a grocery store, support for a community center and other benefits to the Hill community from the development of the new arena.

 The tentative Community Benefits Agreement provides the following:

 Master Plan to build a Livable Community

·        City and County will fund the development of a Master Plan for the Hill District, including the contracting and paying of a planning professional.

·        A Steering Committee of nine people will control this process; four appointed by the Community, five by each of five public officials. No decision effective if there are more than 2 dissenting votes - this gives the Community veto power over any decisions.

·        The City and the County will use the Master Plan to guide development and social services work in the Hill District.

·         The Hill District Master Plan shall be developed from April 2008 to October 1, 2009.  The Penguins shall not submit a Master Plan for the 28 acres until after this date.

Support for Community and Economic Development

·        This will provide ongoing revenue to support community and economic development, education and youth Services, preservation and green spaces, drugs, alcohol and mental health services.

·        The Penguins have agreed to build a Neighborhood Partnership Program to be funded at $500,000 per year for 12 years ($6 million dollars in new revenue to the Hill District).

·        Neighborhood Partnership Program is a state tax credit program that has worked successfully to bring needed revenue into many communities.

·        Hill House, because of its stature in the community, will be the sponsor.

·        Funding decisions would be made by an Advisory Committee established by One Hill and Hill House and the corporate sponsor.

Family Sustaining Jobs

·        Jobs created in the 28 acre development will be family sustaining jobs with health benefits.  To ensure this:

·        Jobs created will pay area wage standards for employees in designated industries.

·        Penguins agree to not interfere with workers’ right to form a Union.

·        Penguins agree to a “card check” procedure to streamline the process for forming a Union.

·        Penguins will work with subcontractors and operators, and property managers to adhere to this agreement.

First Source Career Center

·        City and County will work to establish a model referral center to connect Hill District residents with jobs (modeled after the BIG STEP program in Milwaukee).

·        Center will provide Outreach and Assessment, counseling and support, referrals to Apprenticeship and training programs, and follow up and monitoring.

·        City and County will provide $90,000 for two years with local foundations supplying additional funds.

·        For first week of job openings in the development, hiring will only be of Hill District residents.

·        Penguins will encourage employers for arena project and 28 acres to use First Source Center to find qualified Hill District applicants.

·        The City and the County will keep the coalition updated on the progress of developing a similar regional labor-management clearinghouse, again modeled on the Milwaukee BIG STEP Program.

A Community Grocery Store/ Economic Anchor

·        Two million dollars available for establishment of grocery store ($1 million from URA, $1 Million from Penguins).

·        If efforts to establish a grocery store are not successful by 12/31/09 the money from the Penguins may be redirected to establish another suitable economic anchor.

Community/Multi Purpose Center

·        City and County will assist the Pittsburgh YMCA to develop and sustain a multi purpose center for youth, family and seniors.

·        Principles governing the YMCA are: reduced fee/ no fee memberships to low income youth and jobs available at Y will consider Hill applicants first.

Policy Commitments

·        A LEED Certification Plan will be prepared for the new Arena in keeping with Pittsburgh’s national leadership role in building “green” buildings.

·        SEA, City and County commit themselves to strict enforcement of all ordinances, regulations and laws controlling diesel fuel emissions in order to minimize the impact of such emissions on Hill District residents and Pittsburgh in general.

·        City and County will consult with Community for Hill residents interested in serving on boards and commissions – especially those related to the development and social service agencies that impact the Hill.

Hill District Community Services Review Process

·        The City and County will take community input during a two year assessment of social services in the Hill, to identify gaps or deficiencies in social services and to prioritize needs.

Updates to Hill Community on Arena Development and Construction

The City and County will hold quarterly meetings with Hill Community to report status of:

·        Bids and opportunities for MBEs and WBEs and, progress towards meeting contracting goals in regard to these;     

·        Opportunities for employment of Hill residents, including progress in hiring Hill residents;

·        Informing Coalition of pre-bid activities including the breakdown of bid packages and targeted outreach.