Aug 14, 2008 2:07 pm US/Eastern
Gaming Board Mulls North Shore Casino Project
HARRISBURG (KDKA) ―
With financing for Pittsburgh's new slots casino still up in the air, today could be a crucial day for the project.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is scheduled to discuss the proposed license transfer at a hearing in Harrisburg.
Don Barden wants to transfer the casino ownership to Chicago billionaire Neil Bluhm.
Yesterday Bluhm talked with Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato about the project.
Bluhm says if gaming officials don't take action today, the project could go bankrupt.
"It's going to be in litigation in a messy bankruptcy and a lot of innocent people will be hurt – the contractors are owed over $50 million. These are local contractors, most of them; and there's a lot of jobs will be lost and a lot of revenue and it's going to be an eyesore."
If the transfer if approved by today, Bluhm says work could resume as soon as Monday.
Bluhm also says he's willing to fulfill all of Don Barden's original commitments – including $7.5 million a year commitment to help fund Pittsburgh's new multipurpose arena.
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