North Shore developer's delay OK'd
An Ohio developer received more time Friday to obtain money and permits for a North Shore amphitheater and hotel, despite objections from several residents.
Continental Real Estate Cos. was scheduled to begin work on the amphitheater near Heinz Field on Wednesday, but the Pittsburgh Stadium Authority agreed to let the developer delay construction until Aug. 1. Continental is now expected to start building a 178-room Hyatt Place hotel next to PNC Park by the end of June.
The company needed more time to obtain financing, said Mary Conturo, the authority's executive director, but the amphitheater and hotel remain on schedule to open in 2010. The authority's five-member board unanimously approved both delays.
"It's a tight schedule, of course, but it could be done," Conturo said.
Those opposed to the delay, including area residents and pro-labor neighborhood group North Side UNITED, say Continental should have to start on time and agree to give hiring preference to North Siders. Several authority board members approved the extensions, but with reservations.
"We have given enough extensions," said Authority Vice Chairman Robert Ewanco. "We're kind of running out of patience. This is getting a little old for us."
No one from Continental attended the board's meeting, and messages seeking comment from company officials were not returned. Continental has the exclusive rights to develop land between the stadiums under a 2003 agreement with the Steelers, Pirates and Stadium Authority.
"I'm very concerned about the decisions the Stadium Authority has made, caving in constantly to demands on the part of Continental Real Estate," said John Canning, 69, of Jacksonia Street. "The developments there (on the North Shore) bring absolutely no benefit to the people on the other side of the railroad tracks."
Because of the delays, the authority can continue to collect parking revenues from the surface lots where the amphitheater and hotel will be built. The amphitheater's Lot 6 is expected to generate $54,632 before construction starts and the hotel's Lot 4 will yield about $65,500, according to the authority's estimates.
North Side UNITED has criticized the authority for selling the taxpayer-owned land for well below fair market value.
Continental Real Estate Cos. was scheduled to begin work on the amphitheater near Heinz Field on Wednesday, but the Pittsburgh Stadium Authority agreed to let the developer delay construction until Aug. 1. Continental is now expected to start building a 178-room Hyatt Place hotel next to PNC Park by the end of June.
The company needed more time to obtain financing, said Mary Conturo, the authority's executive director, but the amphitheater and hotel remain on schedule to open in 2010. The authority's five-member board unanimously approved both delays.
"It's a tight schedule, of course, but it could be done," Conturo said.
Those opposed to the delay, including area residents and pro-labor neighborhood group North Side UNITED, say Continental should have to start on time and agree to give hiring preference to North Siders. Several authority board members approved the extensions, but with reservations.
"We have given enough extensions," said Authority Vice Chairman Robert Ewanco. "We're kind of running out of patience. This is getting a little old for us."
No one from Continental attended the board's meeting, and messages seeking comment from company officials were not returned. Continental has the exclusive rights to develop land between the stadiums under a 2003 agreement with the Steelers, Pirates and Stadium Authority.
"I'm very concerned about the decisions the Stadium Authority has made, caving in constantly to demands on the part of Continental Real Estate," said John Canning, 69, of Jacksonia Street. "The developments there (on the North Shore) bring absolutely no benefit to the people on the other side of the railroad tracks."
Because of the delays, the authority can continue to collect parking revenues from the surface lots where the amphitheater and hotel will be built. The amphitheater's Lot 6 is expected to generate $54,632 before construction starts and the hotel's Lot 4 will yield about $65,500, according to the authority's estimates.
North Side UNITED has criticized the authority for selling the taxpayer-owned land for well below fair market value.