No Big Screen for the Pens Playoff Run — What?

Mayor Bill Peduto isn't taking the news lying down.

photo via flickr

 

Buried in a news release that went out Monday afternoon in the middle of the Pirates Home Opener, the Pittsburgh Penguins management dropped some bad news on fans.

The team said it would not be able to host the outdoor big screen for the Stanley Cup playoffs. The team cited safety concerns because of the construction underway at the site of the former Civic Arena.

However, Mayor Bill Peduto calls the big screen a “springtime tradition,” and told KDKA-TV he’s already discussed a backup plan with the Penguins and is working with Penguins President David Morehouse to find a new location. The Mayor also says the Penguins do intend to set up the big screen on the arena site for second-round games.

Of course, the Pens have to get past the Rangers first.

––Richard Cook

photo by david kelly

 

#HowToCatchAMillennial: Pay them to move here?

Increasingly, people around the globe make their homes in cities. In the United States, between-the-coasts metropolises such as Columbus, Detroit, Niagara Falls and even Philadelphia are trying to attract residents ages 25-34, sought after for their propensity to spend money, live in or near city centers and demand quality-of-life infrastructure.

A mix of city governments, universities, for- and nonprofit companies are working to appeal to the young and mobile, some even going so far as to offer housing subsidies to those willing to relocate. Pittsburgh isn’t sending out party invites, but a revitalized downtown, active tech community and bustling tourism is roughly the equivalent.

The city’s population largely has been stable since the 2010 census. While people moving in have offset the deaths of some of our older residents, there’s still a large gap to cover as many age out of the workforce.

Beer summit, anyone?

––Margaret J. Krauss
 

photo via flickr

 

#Transit: What’s cooler than having a job? Showing up.

The funny thing about economies is that they don’t work if people can’t work. And it’s really hard to work if you can’t get there. (You really don’t want your doctor to telecommute.)

Next month, the law that authorizes federal monies for transit expires. If Congress can’t agree on how to fund transportation improvements and repairs, the country could face a 43 percent drop in service and billions of dollars.

Ouch.

––MJK