Stadium Authority questions delays, design of North Shore amphitheater
The chairwoman of the city's Stadium Authority board raised concerns yesterday about potential delays in the construction of a $12 million North Shore entertainment complex and the design of the proposed facility.
Columbus developer Continental Real Estate Cos. and the Steelers may seek an extension of up to three years to finish a brick courtyard at the complex on the riverfront next to Heinz Field.
They have said they plan to have the entertainment venue itself up and running by May 1, 2010, as required under agreement with the authority.
The request for more time was not on the authority board agenda yesterday, but Chairwoman Debbie Lestitian said she was "concerned they're asking for an extension before they even start."
Continental and the Steelers are seeking the delay in completing the courtyard because state funding for the project was cut from $4 million to $2.5 million. Ms. Lestitian questioned that.
"It's kind of funny to say they don't have the money in a year when the Steelers won the Super Bowl. They probably made that in concessions and things," she said.
Ms. Lestitian also wondered what control the authority had over the design of the complex, which she described as "ugly."
"This thing has to look good enough to be sitting on the Point," she said.
Authority Executive Director Mary Conturo said the board would be able to review the final design. Vice Chairman Robert Ewanco said he wants to "see something nice" at the spot.
"It won't be the opera [house] in Sydney but life doesn't work out like that sometimes," he said.
Columbus developer Continental Real Estate Cos. and the Steelers may seek an extension of up to three years to finish a brick courtyard at the complex on the riverfront next to Heinz Field.
They have said they plan to have the entertainment venue itself up and running by May 1, 2010, as required under agreement with the authority.
The request for more time was not on the authority board agenda yesterday, but Chairwoman Debbie Lestitian said she was "concerned they're asking for an extension before they even start."
Continental and the Steelers are seeking the delay in completing the courtyard because state funding for the project was cut from $4 million to $2.5 million. Ms. Lestitian questioned that.
"It's kind of funny to say they don't have the money in a year when the Steelers won the Super Bowl. They probably made that in concessions and things," she said.
Ms. Lestitian also wondered what control the authority had over the design of the complex, which she described as "ugly."
"This thing has to look good enough to be sitting on the Point," she said.
Authority Executive Director Mary Conturo said the board would be able to review the final design. Vice Chairman Robert Ewanco said he wants to "see something nice" at the spot.
"It won't be the opera [house] in Sydney but life doesn't work out like that sometimes," he said.