Celebrating a Century of Celebrations

Using a new Google feature called "Future Search," David Bear recently came across the following document from the year 2061: •

Celebrating a Century of Celebration
The Honorable I.M. Olivus
Chief Executive, Pittsburgh Regional Government
Celebration Park, Pittsburgh, Sept. 17, 2061

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My fellow citizens, as we gather under the stars in this magnificent place that has been the setting for so much of our history, this place that was dedicated 100 years ago today, it is fitting to honor the millions whose inspired performances and passionate participation have energized this center of civic life. Their feats and faces are emblazoned in our hearts and minds, as well as throughout this living museum of our region.

It is also appropriate to recognize those whose vision created it, those whose creativity sustained it and those whose commitment to community transformed it into this unique site where Pittsburghers have gathered together now for a century.

In the words of one of Pittsburgh's most foresighted mayors, David L. Lawrence, who in 1956 saw what this land could become, "A city -- a great city -- must have some place for its people to assemble. To keep the city in the human scale, this central meeting place is part of our urban design. The redevelopment of the Lower Hill will be the greatest of our Pittsburgh projects, under way or yet envisioned."

Pittsburgh visionaries saw a great dome that could be opened to the city's clearing skies! This daring structure was conceived with the best of intentions and loftiest of ambitions. Its construction captured the world's attention and provided evidence of Pittsburgh's ingenuity, ability and commitment to the future.

Yet history also remembers that this vision for decades proved illusive to implement. The first grand plan faltered and was eventually abandoned, leaving in its wake an empty arena set amid acres of fenced parking.

Chasing success, the building was overstuffed with seating to the point of discomfort, squeezing out amenities, compromising safety and making it less-than-ideal for almost any activity. Outside, it did nothing to stimulate the rebuilding of the Lower Hill or reconnect it to Downtown. Understandably, this spawned a generation of bitter feelings.

The arena eventually was filled with performances and professional athletes but it and its environs remained off limits for those without tickets. After only 50 years, the interior of the entirely functional if much-maligned structure was deemed no longer suitable for the demands of its day, so in 2010 it was designated for demolition and a new arena was constructed nearby.

As is obvious to everyone here on this memorable evening, the dome was not demolished. Rather than being relegated to memory or to private pecuniary interests, this enormous civic asset was rededicated to the residents of this region. Rather than being razed, this ethereal roof was freed from its interior burdens and transformed into what Mayor Lawrence intended it to be, a versatile venue of civic vitality.

New arteries, both vehicular and pedestrian, were run around and through this glorious urban space, nourishing commercial and residential development and knitting together The Hill and Uptown and Downtown. Celebration Park, as we now know it, soon became a self-supporting, indoor/outdoor venue for a dazzling array of activities -- for launching parades, for major civic events, for weddings, graduations, recreation, education, entertainment.

This park's shimmering dome, still one of the largest in the world, allows all these things to happen all year round, no matter the weather. It stands open, a silver triangle slicing the sky, an enormous work of public art, when the weather is clear. It closes to protect us when it rains or snows or blows too hard.

In hindsight, it is no wonder that Celebration Park transformed this city, this region, serving as a magnet for economic development and for people from all walks of life to gather for all kinds of occasions.

Like so many of us lucky enough to have grown up in the vibrant, diverse neighborhood that now covers this Hill, I have known this park as an axis of accessible wonders, a place where I could encounter who knows what and who knows who on any given day.

Under this sheltering roof I learned to play tennis, basketball and hockey. I listened to music, saw plays, threw Frisbees, learned to dance and sing. In this park, I graduated from high school, cheered our city's championship teams and discovered Pittsburgh's past from the history kiosks scattered about. On this legendary ice rink I met the person who would become my life partner, and together we have watched our children grow and flourish here as we did.

So this evening, we honor those who built this Igloo, who saw what it could become. We honor those who, in the early years of this century, held fast to the vision and saved this Igloo from the wrecking ball. We honor those who wanted to tear down this Igloo because of the destruction it once represented but who came to see that its original promise might still be fulfilled.

I notice it's starting to drizzle, so at this point I'll simply say, "Thank you." Now, let's close the roof and let the celebrations continue!