Monroeville Convention Center to remain open, local leaders announce
MONROEVILLE, Pa. (KDKA) -- The Monroeville Convention Center will stay open, a coalition of leaders announced Tuesday.
Monroeville officials said they were blindsided by the news last month that the convention center was going to close and turn into a Hobby Lobby in June. After learning of the closure, leaders said they worked to tell Hobby Lobby and Oxford Development Company how important the convention center is to the community, and the two companies agreed it was best to pursue termination of the Hobby Lobby lease.
KDKA-TV's Jennifer Borrasso: "What changed their minds?"
Monroeville Mayor Nick Gresock: "We stressed how important the convention center is to Monroeville and to the region. And I think they listened to our concerns. And then they met and mutually agreed to terminate their lease."
The state, county and municipality worked on a transition plan that leaders say will result in the convention center operating as a "long-term community asset under either a new community- or government-based ownership structure; or a government-backed lease."
KDKA-TV has learned nothing was promised to Hobby Lobby or Oxford Development Company.
"We are very committed to finding a way that this makes sense for everybody and to solidify a long-term situation for the Monroeville Convention Center," Gresock said.
Several elected leaders, including Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, Sen. Jim Brewster and Sen. Jay Costa released a joint statement, saying:
"The Monroeville Convention Center is saved! We are happy to announce that the MCC will continue to welcome tens of thousands of visitors each year, supporting hundreds of local jobs and generating millions in economic activity.
"Today's announcement is the result of several weeks of discussions, including information sharing about the MCC's large impact. We want to thank Hobby Lobby and Oxford for their sincere effort to reach a positive outcome. Everybody at the table worked behind the scenes to deliver a result that will see the MCC become a properly owned and funded community asset."
Monroeville officials say they'll begin reaching out to vendors of shows and events that were previously scheduled for June 1 and beyond in hopes of getting them back into the convention center as planned. Gresock said 40 events were originally canceled and 38 have re-signed new contracts.
Borrasso: "Is Monroeville pursuing buying that building?"
Gresock: "There are multiple options on the table. We are looking through all of them. The best news about today is that Oxford is willing to work with us, and all the stakeholders are willing to work with Oxford and figure out what's the best thing to create a long-term solution. We don't want this to happen again."
There was so much public outcry that other venues stepped up to help. 247 Fighting Championships offered their 27,000 square-foot space when it becomes available this summer. KDKA-TV's Shelley Bortz caught up with the owner again when the news broke.
"There were at least 10 businesses that reached out, like instant. It was very clear that there was a need, that there was a scramble for a lot of people," Hunter Homistek said.
"My initial reaction was just being extremely happy for the people that were initially so heavily impacted by that," he added.
As far as the DoubleTree by Hilton Monroeville, which closed last week, the mayor said investors looked at the property last week. He added on Tuesday that five investment groups said they wanted to come look at the property.
Gresock said Monroeville would love to help Hobby Lobby find a different home in Monroeville.
What comes next for the Monroeville Convention Center?
Leaders from Monroeville and the state will come together and develop a long-term plan to give Monroeville some control over the building.
They could enter into a longer lease or someone could buy the building and allow the Monroeville Convention Center to operate in that location.