PITTSBURGH -- A part of Pittsburgh is poised to look a lot like New York City's Times Square. A proposed electronic billboard will grace the city's new transportation center, but the anticipated screen is creating controversy in the City Council.

Neither the Planning Commission nor City Council approved the planned 1,200-square-foot digital screen at the Grant Street Transportation Center.

"The presence of an electronic messaging sign is unacceptable," said City Councilman Bill Peduto.

Peduto said the Urban Redevelopment Authority added the billboard without going through proper channels, and he wants an investigation.

"I am very concerned about this matter, because it's not an isolated incident," said City Council President Doug Shields. "This has happened before to the extent that (the) council has not been taken into consultation."

"Using the words of Roger Clemens, I think people are misremembering," said URA Director Pat Ford.

Ford said he followed procedure and cited a letter, which he said shows Shields initiated the project.

"It's very troubling to hear that when I'm sitting on correspondence and meeting minutes from council President Shields at the time when he not only instituted this and brought it to our attention, but in fact, we had dialogue with him on how to proceed," said Ford.

The investigation that Peduto has asked for has been put on hold. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for next week.

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