The Igloo could showcase our brain trust

It seems the demise of the Civic Arena is a certainty once the new arena is completed in Uptown. My recommendation of Igloo preservation and redevelopment is based on need and is a way to showcase Pittsburgh to the world.

How beneficial would an "under one roof" showcase facility be to the emerging Pittsburgh technology, biotech, energy, environmental and medical scene be? With a world-class brain trust at our local academic institutions playing into the role of innovation and economic development, would it not be a great thing to have everyone with representation under one massive roof? It could be a showcase of the goods of the Carnegie Mellon University robotics and engineering group, Pitt's Center for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Consol's development of advanced ventilation abatement, Westinghouse's nuclear AP1000 and the hundreds of other large- to small-sized tech companies of Greater Pittsburgh.

I can think of no other such space anywhere that could accommodate research and development along with product show space in presenting to the world Pittsburgh's goods and advanced technological development ability.

I'm sure the favored plan by the city involves developing the arena site for yet more retail and housing. But a powerful alliance of the education and technology sector might be enough to educate our city political leaders and put Pittsburgh in a unique position as one of the few world locations with a massive showcase facility of its brain trust and goods.

LOCKE ROBERTS

North Side