PITTSBURGH -- The city Planning Commission on Tuesday unanimously approved the master plan for a proposed slots casino on the North Shore.

---

Watch Sheldon Ingram's Report

---

The approval -- a win for Detroit businessman Don Barden of PITG Gaming -- came despite opposition from the Steelers, the Pirates and the Carnegie Science Center.

The two sports teams wanted a game-day traffic study to be done before the vote. They are concerned casino traffic could cause congestion, especially on game days at nearby Heinz Field and PNC Park.

The science center's concerns include pedestrian safety, lighting and the ability to get school buses on and off its property.

The Steelers and the science center have threatened legal action if a traffic study was not done.

The Planning Commission's approval came with conditions. It establishes strict traffic requirements and requires a traffic study to be done by September.

"Certainly, we're disappointed with the approval process today," said Dennis DaPra, senior vice president and general manager of PNC Park, home of the Pirates. "We're going to go back and discuss internally. Certainly, we're going to review and look at all of our options."

Steelers and science center officials also expressed concern.

"What you saw today was approval of a master plan that in many respects was piecemeal," said Mark Hart, Steelers business director. "I think one of the things that we need is a master plan for the entire North Shore."

Science center Director Joanna Haas said she doesn't object to the casino, but approval of the master plan "lays a conceptual foundation for us to be at risk in the future. ... We're going to pursue all actions we might need to get to a satisfactory outcome."

PITG Gaming spokesman Bob Oltmanns said his firm has been talking with the science center and offered a "fairly comprehensive proposal" that addresses most of the center's concerns.

"Those were met this afternoon with a rather frustrating rejection and we're surprised to hear that," he said.

Planning Commission Chairwoman Wrenna Watson said the vote had to be taken.

"The casino's coming any way it goes. Now, you can hold it, hold it, hold it and hold it up until I don't know what happens. Does it end up not coming?" Watson said. "I'm not real sure what some of the other agendas are that are going on, but, you know, it is time for things to proceed."

A state panel last year chose Barden's Majestic Star casino over two other applicants for the sole Pittsburgh gambling license. The two losing bidders - St. Louis-based Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. and Cleveland-based developer Forest City Enterprises Inc. - appealed to the state Supreme Court, which still has to rule.

Barden has said he will contribute $7.5 million annually for 30 years toward a new $290 million hockey arena for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Barden's casino is expected to open by next summer.

---

Related Links:
More County News

Get RSS | E-Mail Alerts

---