Pittsburgh Mayor Ravenstahl dismisses Stadium Authority chairwoman
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl today removed the chairwoman of Pittsburgh's Stadium Authority.
Debbie Lestitian, 43, of Brookline has led the five-member authority since July 2006, when she was appointed by then-Mayor Bob O'Connor.
Lestitian, an attorney with Downtown law firm Rothman Gordon, was informed of the decision this morning.
Ravenstahl's office did not immediately provide a reason for her dismissal.
The authority controls the land between PNC Park and Heinz Field. Lestitian has been a vocal critic of the authority's decision to sell two prime North Shore parcels to the Steelers and Columbus-based partner, Continental Real Estate Cos.
She believes the authority sold them for well below their true value and should have sought other bidders for the land. Lestitian was the lone vote against the $10 million, two-parcel sale in August 2008.
Continental and the Steelers are building a Hyatt Place hotel near PNC Park. They're planning to build an amphitheater near Heinz Field.
Lestitian said during a Stadium Authority meeting last week that the design of the proposed amphitheater is ugly. She also voiced opposition to a three-year extension Continental plans to seek to finish the amphitheater once construction starts.
"I already think the project is below the standard that's been set for the North Shore," Lestitian said.
Councilman Bill Peduto, a former Stadium Authority member replaced by Ravenstahl in January 2008, said he was disappointed to hear of Lestitian's removal.
"Debbie was a voice for the people," Peduto said. "They've now effectively taken the two people off of the board that asked questions. Apparently you're not allowed to ask questions on the Stadium Authority board."
Debbie Lestitian, 43, of Brookline has led the five-member authority since July 2006, when she was appointed by then-Mayor Bob O'Connor.
Lestitian, an attorney with Downtown law firm Rothman Gordon, was informed of the decision this morning.
Ravenstahl's office did not immediately provide a reason for her dismissal.
The authority controls the land between PNC Park and Heinz Field. Lestitian has been a vocal critic of the authority's decision to sell two prime North Shore parcels to the Steelers and Columbus-based partner, Continental Real Estate Cos.
She believes the authority sold them for well below their true value and should have sought other bidders for the land. Lestitian was the lone vote against the $10 million, two-parcel sale in August 2008.
Continental and the Steelers are building a Hyatt Place hotel near PNC Park. They're planning to build an amphitheater near Heinz Field.
Lestitian said during a Stadium Authority meeting last week that the design of the proposed amphitheater is ugly. She also voiced opposition to a three-year extension Continental plans to seek to finish the amphitheater once construction starts.
"I already think the project is below the standard that's been set for the North Shore," Lestitian said.
Councilman Bill Peduto, a former Stadium Authority member replaced by Ravenstahl in January 2008, said he was disappointed to hear of Lestitian's removal.
"Debbie was a voice for the people," Peduto said. "They've now effectively taken the two people off of the board that asked questions. Apparently you're not allowed to ask questions on the Stadium Authority board."