POSTPONED

We are humbly and regretfully cancelling this Thursday's New Person Award Benefit. We are in the middle of a staff transition and realized that we could not give the One Hill CBA Coalition the recognition they deserved without the proper outreach and the care required.

We are nevertheless making arrangements to formally present the award to this wonderful group of community activists. When we have a date, time and place we will let our members and the public know via our website and email newsletter, as well as The NewPeople.

2008 New Person Awards - A benefit for the Thomas Merton Center

Honoring

The One Hill CBA (Community Benefits Agreement) Coalition

Thursday, May 29, 2008, 7pm-9pm
Kaufmann Auditorium, Hill House Association
1835 Centre Avenue, in the historic Hill District of Pittsburgh

Each year we honor local activists with a commitment to peace and justice in Southwestern Pennsylvania. This year's event theme will be COMMUNITY = ACTIVISM and it is our pleasure to award the One Hill CBA (Community Benefits Agreement) Coalition.

The Coalition of Pittsburgh Hill District resident's have skillfully negotiated with the Penguins, the city, and Allegheny County as well as the Sports and Exhibition Authority and have reached a community benefits agreement that will ensure that the community will not be left behind after the arena is built. The agreement says the Pens will contribute $500,000 a year for six years toward Hill District development with an option for six more years but promises first week of hiring for jobs in the development will be reserved for Hill District residents only. The Pens and city will also contribute $2 million for a new grocery store. We honor those who have fought and won a victory for fair community development - a model for all our communities.

→ See Post-Gazette Article: "Hill coalition approves deal for arena site" (May 11, 2008).