Pitt's Department of Africana Studies Sponsors Oct. 10 Panel Discussion on Community Benefits Agreements

PITTSBURGH-A free panel discussion aimed at helping Pittsburgh neighborhoods solve struggles within their communities will take place at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 10 in the auditorium of the University of Pittsburgh Frick Fine Arts Building, 650 Schenley Dr., Oakland.

The discussion is titled "A Critical Analysis of the Community Benefits Agreement Movement, Neighborhood Self-Determination and the 'One Hill' Controversy" and is sponsored by Pitt's Department of Africana Studies.

A community benefits agreement (CBA) is an arrangement between a developer and a broad range of community groups. It is a legally enforceable contract stipulating what benefits a developer must provide to neighborhood residents in return for public support. Hill District groups have joined with organized labor and others to form the CBA coalition One Hill, which is voicing its concerns regarding the Pittsburgh Penguins arena under construction. Another group, called Northside United, is seeking a CBA on issues associated with the construction of the Majestic Star casino on the Northside.

Panelists scheduled to speak include:

Kimberly Ellis, assistant professor of Africana Studies and chair of the Historic Hill Initiative;

Noor Ismail, director of Pittsburgh City Planning Department;

Marimba Milliones, chair of the Hill District Community Development Corporation; and

Paul Ellis, legal advisor and negotiator for One Hill.

Ervin Dyer, senior editor for "Pitt Magazine" and former "Pittsburgh Post-Gazette" reporter, will serve as moderator. For more information, call 412-648-7540.

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