PITTSBURGH -- A planned Giant Eagle grocery store and a strip club near the North Shore has officials with the Majestic Star Casino concerned.

Some say the Fulton Street Giant Eagle would complicate traffic patterns near the planned casino, but area residents said the grocery store and accompanying gas station would fill a gap in the local economy.

Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato said the Beaver Avenue strip club isn't something the city wants on the North Shore, but they can't just outright deny it.

The club wants to feature three stages, a private dance area and a champagne room.

There is a process to go through, Onorato said.

That process would involve hearing the opinions of several North Side community groups, which are already voicing their opposition to the strip club.

Casino traffic has been a hot topic among the Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers. Both teams said casino traffic could mean heavy delays for fans during game days.

Steelers President Art Rooney said he did not know much about the proposed strip club but that it is not the type of business the Steelers want in the area.

Officials said traffic studies that are currently under way for the casino have not included plans for the Giant Eagle or strip club. Before the store and club can be built, detailed plans must be presented to the city zoning board.

Giant Eagle site would affect the traffic patterns the most on Fulton Street, but Rooney said he has already spoken with Giant Eagle and doesn't expect the store to affect traffic that much.

The board must approve the plans and applications before construction can begin. If the applications are passed, they would then go to City Council. A series of public meetings would then be held.

"The power belongs in the people's hands," said City Councilwoman Tanya Payne.

Officials plan to present the plans to the zoning board on Sept. 27.

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