PITTSBURGH — A Western Pennsylvania panel has declined to call the former home of the Pittsburgh Penguins a historic structure, dealing a blow to those who hope to preserve the arena.

Pittsburgh’s Historic Review Commission voted 6-0 on Wednesday against granting the designation to the old Civic Arena, reversing an earlier decision. Almost a decade ago, the panel also gave a similar petition preliminary approval but rejected it on a final vote.

The 49-year-old Civic Arena closed last year when the Consol Energy Center opened. The team plans a residential, office and commercial development for the site.

Rob Pfaffmann, leader of Reuse the Igloo, said he was disappointed but would keep trying to save the structure.

The city’s planning commission and council still must take up the nomination.