Recovering Mellon

If Pittsburgh’s Mellon Arena is demolished, one local developer has an idea for recycling part of its distinctive domed roof as an office building.

Don Cella, president of Five Mile Development Group, came up with a brainstorm for his project: deconstruct and reuse substantial portions of the arena in construction of a six-story office building in the Stone Quarry Crossing development in Ohio Township.

“The unique stainless steel roof and massive wishbone support truss scream Pittsburgh,” Cella said in a statement.

Architect Scot Kurtz envisions a design for the stainless-steel roof sections and 260-foot cantilever truss that complements the topography and elevation changes of Stone Quarry Crossing. The dome’s 109-foot dome would be built into a 100-foot hillside in the development.

The project wouldn’t be the first unorthodox use by Cella for a venue being demolished.

Five Mile was awarded a salvage contract in 1999 involving the old Pitt Stadium. Metal poles used to display retired jerseys were adapted for parking lot lights and decorative bridge support and thousands of pounds of plate glass were saved and reused as walls and doors in the same development that could become the Mellon Arena roof’s new home.

“Don was salvaging and reusing materials – from Pitt Stadium to Gimbels – before it was fashionable or politically correct,” said real estate broker Pete Licastro of Grant Street Associates. “he has a special skill set – the ability to imagine combined with the ability to implement.”

But first, the Sports and Exhibition Authority and Pittsburgh Penguins have to decide the fate of the old arena, known locally as the Igloo. Fans and preservationists hope it will be preserved. Cella says he is simply offering an alternative if preservation isn’t feasible.

“We certainly appreciate and respect the efforts of those in the community who were working to preserve the arena in place,” Cella said. “What our group offers is an alternative. If the arena will be demolished, then how can we salvage and reuse key structural and iconic components?”