PITTSBURGH -- Funding delays have temporarily halted most of the construction on the Majestic Star slot machine casino on Pittsburgh's North Shore.

But Gov. Ed Rendell said he isn't worried about casino developer Don Barden's latest difficulties, and he's encouraged by the prospect of Barden taking Neil Bluhm's Walton Street Capital on as a new equity partner.

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"They are first-class people," Rendell said Monday. "Neil Bluhm is one of the biggest operators nationwide and Dean Adler comes from a fund of money in the Philadelphia area. They're well-funded."

A spokesman for Rendell's office told Channel 4 Action News reporter Bob Mayo that Adler -- the CEO of real estate private equity firm Lubert-Adler Partners -- has apparently been mentioned as possibly being involved in Bluhm's effort to gain equity in Barden's PITG Gaming group.

PITG Gaming is behind on payments to contractors because of delays in completing his financing arrangements. Because of that, the general contractor has stopped most work for now.

If the state Gaming Control Board approves Bluhm's investment, construction will quickly get back on track, Rendell said.

"It's a tough financial market for virtually everybody. The biggest names in the gaming industry are having trouble borrowing money," Rendell said.

Barden has promised a share of casino money will go toward Pittsburgh's new arena for the Penguins, which is scheduled to begin construction later this summer.

"That's something that no one will waive," Rendell said.

Barden spokesman Bob Oltmanns said he could not provide any information Monday on when the financial details of adding PITG Gaming's new equity partner will be wrapped up.