Presenter
Presented by Mr. Peduto
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WHEREAS, Mellon Arena is the oldest arena in the National Hockey League and it also plays host to numerous concerts, conventions, basketball games, and other special events throughout the year that are a benefit to all of Southwestern Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, the Pittsburgh Penguins' value to the region has been calculated to be between $130 and $417 million annually, and without a new arena the team will have to leave Western Pennsylvania after 2007; and
WHEREAS, while there is a need for a new multi-purpose arena in the City of Pittsburgh, it is the goal of Pittsburgh City Council that no taxpayer dollars be allocated to the construction of such an arena; and
WHEREAS, The Allegheny Regional Asset District was created to promote the arts, libraries, parks, and cultural activities throughout the region and it is the goal of Pittsburgh City Council that dollars from the Regional Asset District should not be spent on the construction of a new multi-purpose facility, as was done with the building of Heinz Field and PNC Park which has limited the needed funds; and
WHEREAS, one slots casino license will be awarded to an applicant for the City of Pittsburgh in 2006 from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and should be contingent on the best plan for Pittsburgh taxpayers and the region's economy.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh will only support the allocation of a slots casino license to an applicant who will fully, privately fund a new arena within the City of Pittsburgh.