PITTSBURGH -- The developer of the Majestic Star Casino on Pittsburgh's North Shore wants to cut parts of the $780 million project he is planning.

Developer Don Barden asked the city planning commission on Tuesday to allow him to build a riverfront amphitheater, dock and walking path after the casino has operated for three years.

Barden's spokesman, Bob Oltmanns, said he wants the changes made to keep the project within its budget, and it will not affect any revenue that the casino has been projected to generate.

"There are a couple of instances where we're looking at using lower-cost solutions for some non-revenue gaming-related amenities that don't affect the material design of the building, but at the same time allow us to complete the project consistent with the design we presented to the Pennsylvania gaming board two years ago," Oltmanns said.

Members of the Riverlife Task Force did not like the request, claiming that the boat dock and the amphitheater were part of the reason Barden's PITG Gaming was awarded a casino license by the state.

The city planning commission will consider the requested changes at its meeting later this month.

On Monday, contractors halted construction at the casino site until Barden pays $10 million owed since March. That same day, Barden brought in Chicago-based Walton Street Capital as a new investor to provide the needed financial backing.

The deal with Walton Street is subject to state approval. Work will be delayed until that approval can be obtained.

Oltmanns said the short-term cash problems have nothing to do with the delay in the riverfront portions of the project.

The casino is scheduled to open in May 2009. Pittsburgh's budget projections count on at least $10 million a year in tax revenue from the casino starting in 2010.