Jul 15, 2008 7:24 pm US/Eastern
Ravenstahl Requests Meeting With Gaming Board Reps
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl is expressing his frustration with the latest developments of the North Shore casino deal.
Ravenstahl was on vacation when the ownership equation of the casino changed last week and some lawmakers called for the revocation of Barden's gaming license.
Now, he has a new take on the decision that awarded the license to Don Barden in the first place.
"The Gaming Control Board took what was almost a year at least to make the decision they made with Mr. Barden," said Ravenstahl. "I think we've seen that that was a bad decision. I want to make sure we don't rush into other bad decisions by simply trying to do this as quickly as possible."
That's how the mayor assessed the process where Barden turned to Chicago billionaire Neil Bluhm for help in continuing the Pittsburgh casino project.
That help gave Bluhm controlling interest in the casino venture.
Work has been put on hold while the money questions are settled but the mayor said he is in no hurry to rush the proposed ownership.
He wants the Gaming Board to talk with him first.
"To make a decision on the 15th or 16th or this week without having any discussion, without anybody really knowing any of the history, to me does not make sense. I would not support any decision, either revocation or not, before I have the chance to at least know what's going on. Because right now, I don't."
The negotiations for changes to the casino are ongoing.
Meanwhile, Ravenstahl released a statement this afternoon after a telephone converstation with the Gaming Control Board.
The statement says, "During our brief telephone conversation, I expressed the need for an immediate face-to-face meeting on this very serious matter concerning the future of our City. These issues need to be addressed in person and as part of a larger discussion on what is right for Pittsburgh residents. I look forward to having this face-to-face meeting soon."
The meeting has not yet been scheduled.
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