PITTSBURGH -- The city Planning Commission approved the steel and foundation plans for a slot machine casino on the North Shore, bringing the developer a step closer to begin construction.

Tuesday's unanimous vote allows PITG Gaming, run by Detroit businessman Don Barden, to get city building permits for construction of a Majestic Star casino.

Before building can begin, state permits must be obtained to clear two small buildings of asbestos and demolish them, said PITG Gaming spokesman Bob Oltmanns.

There are still several more meetings scheduled and a number of other permits must be obtained, including some from the Department of Environmental Protection on environmental issues.

The casino hopes to hold its groundbreaking ceremony in the fall.

But before anything can happen, there are still lawsuits that must be settled with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Both teams want a thorough traffic study done before the casino is built near their stadiums.

The Planning Commission ordered PITG Gaming to complete a traffic study by Sept. 30.

In the meantime, both teams have been meeting with PITG Gaming officials trying to persuade the casino company to make road improvements on the North Shore. The teams claim game-day traffic would be overwhelming if those improvements are not made.

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