Update on Lower Hill Development Site - Option Agreement Expiration
PITTSBURGH, PA (October 23, 2025) The expiration of the Amended and Restated Comprehensive Option Agreement (“Option Agreement”) between the Sports & Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County (“SEA”), the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (“URA”) (together, the "Authorities"), and Pittsburgh Arena Real Estate Development LP (“PAR”) occurred at 11:59 PM, October 22, 2025.
The Option Agreement was created to guide the redevelopment of the former Civic Arena and Melody Tent sites in the Lower Hill District. The original development site size was 28.690 acres; there are 21.038 acres of developable land remaining. With the expiration of the Option Agreement, the development rights have reverted to the Authorities as the owners of their respective parcels.
The Authorities will continue to engage their respective boards of directors to evaluate future redevelopment options that include a transparent public process. The Authorities thank all community stakeholders for their time and commitment to the redevelopment process up until now and look forward to future engagement as development moves forward.
The Authorities also thank PAR for its prior and ongoing investment and progress in the redevelopment of the Lower Hill, especially with the construction of the new music venue, Citizens Live at The Wylie, and the successful completion of the FNB Financial Center; and look forward to completion of the G4 urban open spaces parcel, including installation of community kiosks.
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Language translation is available free of charge. Please email translation@ura.org.
About the Sports & Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County (SEA)
As a joint authority for the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, the SEA provides venues for sporting, entertainment, educational, cultural, civic, and social events to improve the quality of public life. The SEA owns and leases Acrisure Stadium, PNC Park, and PPG Paints Arena, and owns and operates the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. The SEA also owns parking facilities, public parks, development parcels, and various associated infrastructure improvements. For more information about the SEA, please visit: www.pgh-sea.com/.
About the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA)
The URA is the City of Pittsburgh's economic development enterprise. We are committed to building a prosperous and equitable economy for all of Pittsburgh. We help bridge public and private interests to invest in meaningful equitable developments that promote housing affordability, economic mobility, entrepreneurship and neighborhood revitalization. Our work creates and sustains quality jobs, thriving neighborhoods, healthy communities and sustainable businesses for the benefit of all Pittsburghers.
