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Community Debates Future Of Historic Hunt Armory In Shadyside

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- There's debate over what to do with a huge historic building in the city that has a prime location.

The Hunt Armory in Shadyside is about 100-years-old. Originally built as a military training center and to store weapons, the massive space inside also became a civic space.

"This was the civic center before the Civic Arena," said City Councilman Dan Gilman. "Presidents spoke here. The Led Zeppelin world tour was here. This was the spot."

The National Guard used it more recently, but no longer needs it. Rather than it being auctioned off to the highest bidder, the city and the URA stepped in.

"I would love to see the Hunt Armory turn into a community-based ice skating rink which is also going to offer a walking track inside," said Virginia Murphy, who is part of a group of Shadyside residents passionate about the building's future.

The skating rink is one of the three proposals right now.

A business incubator space that would include a climbing wall is also being proposed, as well as apartments with a courtyard.

"High density apartments only profit the profitability of the building owner," said Mike Malloy from Shadyside. "It does not profit the community."

Some do favor the skating rink.

"All the kids in the city have to go out to Harmarville to get to ice, and this location is phenomenal," said Peter Healey from O'Hara.

But not everyone agrees with the rink idea.

"I think it's ridiculous. It's very silly. It's childish. We live in Pittsburgh. It's freezing everywhere. There's plenty of places to go ice skating," said Dave Disciascio of Shadyside.

But he does prefer some other kind of community use.

"The building can be used for so much good, the community, children," he said.

Councilman Gilman has held several public meetings and says a review committee will make a recommendation to the URA board before it votes on the building's fate next month.

Some community members have organized a meeting for this Thursday, Nov. 19 at the 6:30 p.m. at the Calvary Episcopal Church in Shadyside.

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