Lower Hill development remains intact as new ownership group takes over Penguins

Mayor Bill Peduto said Monday that the massive Lower Hill District development will go forward as the Pittsburgh Penguins organization is expected to change owners in the near future.Watch the report from the old Civic Arena site: Click the video player above.It is an economic development project beginning in the Lower Hill, with a first National Bank tower, office and retail space, while stretching into the Middle Hill and Upper Hill community.Some of the features of the project include promises of up to $50 million in investments over time in the Middle and Upper Hill, as well as job creation for African Americans in businesses created in the Lower Hill where the bank tower is located.However, the Hill Community Development Corp. suggests those promises might not be as strong as initially stated by the Penguins, and encourages the Fenway Sports Group to follow through with the commitments "and specifically that the Fenway Sports Group has begun to think about how the Penguins organization can fulfill all of its commitments to the Hill District community as a part of the transaction and organizational strategy," Hill CDC President and CEO Marimba Milliones said in a written statement.Peduto said those commitments will be honored: "Everything that they fought for, and everything that they were promised and everything moving forward will be guaranteed to them."Fenway Sports Group, the owners of the Boston Red Sox, have reached an agreement with the Penguins that will give FSG controlling interest in the hockey franchise.The deal, which would see Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle remain part of the Pens' ownership group, is pending approval by the NHL's Board of Governors.