Pittsburgh Penguins - Emphasis on “Pittsburgh”
I’m a hockey fan. I’ve been a hockey fan since about 1988. So when I heard the news today that my Pittsburgh Penguins would be sticking around town, I was happy. The deal between state and local officials and Mario Lemieux (co-owner of the team, and only the GREATEST hockey player EVER) gives the Penguins a new Arena for $3.8 million a year, plus an additional $400K annually for other junk and stuff. The Penguins also promised $500K for the building of a new parking garage adjacent to the new arena, all of which should be ready for the 2009-2010 hockey season. All this is good news for the Penguins and the fans….but
What about the city and citizens here? Yeah, that’s good news too. A new arena will attract a variety of talent and shows which would otherwise pass on Pittsburgh. I know there are some rock bands who would love to come to Pittsburgh, but the arena and its acoustics suck. Once this issue is solved, Pittsburgh concert lineup should get a really big boost.
Now, someone correct me if I’m wrong, but I thought this new arena was supposed to include a shopping mall or a restaurant collection, or something of the sort. Since Pittsburgh has NO NIGHTLIFE downtown, adding shopping or eateries (even though it’s technically the Hill District of Pittsburgh, and not the Downtown District - you can still walk it in 10 minutes) would help bring people into town who otherwise wouldn’t be. Who knows, maybe this triggers a whole movement towards redeveloping an otherwise dead city.
If you think I’m joking, take a stroll or a drive through downtown on a Friday night. It’s freakin’ dead. This city has nothing to offer but banking and industry by day, and riff-raff and street trash by night. Pittsburgh has been trying to “revitalize” for years, but nothing seems to work. Build a department store in the Downtown District, and it will fail (R.I.P. Lazarus). Also, the Murphy administration tried to make Pittsburgh a bustling cultural center by adding new performance theaters. Well, here’s a news flash Tom Murphy: Three theaters and performance arts centers in your city, a cultural district does not make. Yes people, Tom Murphy gave us a one-block “cultural district”. Although it’s nice to have these things, be real about it. A cultural district would be nice…but
Pittsburghers are generally ignorant slobs. Take in a good play, musical, or better yet….spend a night with the (actually this part is true) highly-acclaimed Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. I’m sure you’ll hear some of the best symphony and classical music you’ve ever heard, but while you’re listening to the symphony orchestra, you’ll have to contend with some Pittsburgher talking to or playing with a mobile phone. FUCK! Culture? Pittsburgh culture consists of raw beef, corned beef, sauerkraut, kielbasa, beer, french fries, more beer, and Steeler football.
So what’s the rant for? Well, adding a new sporting and concert venue to this town is exactly what it needs. Nobody here appreciates culture, but we do appreciate big crowds of drunken people, sporting events, and chicks wearing hockey jerseys over spandex pants. Congratulations Mario and Pittsburgh, this is a really good deal.
