Awesome Time

I am a non-partisan, issues-based voter, and I’m indifferent to most issues. I mean, sure, I have opinions, I just can’t seem to get as excited about Medicare benefits or an additional alcoholic beverage tax as other people seem to.

The result? I’ve never voted. To be fair, I was ineligible when then 2000 Presidential election rolled around, and I was registered to vote in PA while living in MD for about seven years, but there’s really no excuse. I’m lazy and indifferent. I plan on voting this November, but anything could happen.

The closest I ever came to voting was when (football hall-of-famer) Lynn Swann was running for Governor. As you may well remember, part of Swann’s campaign in Pittsburgh involved the endorsement of Isle of Capri in its bid for the local slots license, which would have meant $280 million in private funds for a new arena, which would have meant the Penguins would stay in town. And, if I needed any further reason to vote Republican, there’s always this. Governor Rendell, on the other hand, didn’t openly endorse any particular deal, but he was rumored to be chummy with Forest City Enterprises, who were campaigning for a Harrah’s casino in Station Square, and he was openly dubious about public funding for an arena (see: “Plan B”). I ultimately declined to vote. Swann ultimately got raped in the election. Don Barden (neither Harrah’s nor Isle of Capri) ultimately got the slots license, and proceeded to frustrate North Side residents with his intentions to build a 300-story garage on the waterfront. The Penguins managed to get a new arena deal regardless.

In retrospect, the Isle of Capri proposal was a really bad idea (except for the whole private arena funding aspect), and I’m glad that I didn’t vote. Proponents emphasized job opportunities and the fact that with private funding, more of the slots revenue could go towards development, but it involved putting a casino in the Hill. What a terrible idea. I’m supremely embarrassed that I supported it.

Furthermore, it seems now that Hill District residents are at risk of getting fucked over once again. Mayor Ravenstahl unveiled the plan for the Hill about a week ago, which included services and planned facilities (such as a new grocery store and YMCA) but included no revenue sharing agreement that would put dollars directly into the hands of Hill developmental groups. In essence, it would be totally unbinding. The proposal lacked even job guarantees for minorities at the new arena, causing even a die-hard Penguins fan such as myself to be dubious. Predictably, Hill District residents rejected the proposal (in dramatic fashion).

Seriously: Given the oft-recognized financial plight of our city, the predicted upcoming recession, and Mayor Ravenstahl’s (perceived) lack of sincerity, what are the odds that the new arena, which is scheduled to begin construction in the next few months, will materialize into any tangible benefits for the residents of the Hill District without something to make it binding?

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