PITTSBURGH -- The owner of Pittsburgh's soon-to-be casino on Pittsburgh's North Shore appeared to have been facing a construction money crunch, which caused some confusion about his promise to invest in the Hill District.

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While Don Barden's Majestic Star is working on additional financing, the investor said he wanted to sort out the confusion surrounding his commitment to pay $3 million to aid Hill District development.

Initially, it was thought that Barden wanted to back out of handing over the $3 million, but he said that is not the case.

The money will go to boost economic growth, just not along the 28 acres originally thought. The Pens were given development rights to that area, not Barden.

"We've come to a happy medium," Barden said. "After we're open, we'll still provide $3 million to the Hill District outside the Mellon Arena site. We want to extend the development rights further into the Hill District so the people of the community can have the benefit and hope to do that in a five-year period."

Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato and Mayor Luke Ravenstahl met with Barden on Monday do discuss the issues.

Onorato said he's not worried though, arguing Pittsburgh's only slot license is valuable enough to get Barden the backing that he needs.

As site preparation work continues at the casino site, the credit crisis is adding $180 million to the cost for a total of more than $600 million.

Onorato said last week that there are other factors pushing up costs, too.

"Because of oil, because of the price of concrete. Everything is up," he said. "You can't find one project that's not up right now. So, my guess is the arena's going to have the same issue, along with, the same with the casino."

Barden is seeking millions in new loans for casino construction. And Majestic Star officials told WTAE Channel 4's news exchange partners at the Tribune-Review that they don't have enough money in-hand to build it just yet.

But Barden said the casino is still on track and is set to open in May 2009. However, a few things will now take a bit longer.

"The mayor and county executive concur the amphitheatre and ballroom will come in the second and third year," Barden said.

As for the recent Standard and Poor's report that Barden was given a poor credit rating that could affect the north shore casino

"I'm not concerned about that aspect of it," Barden said. "In a startup project, those are customary comments."

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