Aug 7, 2008 2:30 pm US/Eastern
Tempers Flare At Stadium Authority Meeting
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
It was a tense scene on Wednesday night as tempers flared among protestors and Stadium Authority board members during a controversial vote over the sale of land near Heinz Field and PNC Park.
Despite the board's approval to sell the land, angry North Side residents told officials the fight is far from over.
Members of various North Side community groups brought protest signs and chanted slogans outside before the meeting started. Their goal was to block several controversial North Shore land deals without getting community benefits agreement from the developer.
They made several pleas before board members.
"We shouldn't be selling land to developers under an expired option agreement for a cut rate deal for a tenth of what it's worth," said Sam Williamson, of North Side United. "That's not what you're on this board to do. You're on this board to represent the public's interest."
"I don't want to stop this development; I want to get something back, if we're going to give it away," said Pete McQuillan, a resident of the North Side. "Let's get something back that's all I'm asking."
One parcel of land would go to Continental Realty for a proposed Hyatt Regency Hotel. The board also considered allowing Continental to continue as exclusive developer of the land between Heinz Field and PNC Park.
Also, members were looking at the sale of a riverfront parcel to the Steelers and Continental for a proposed $10 million entertainment venue. Supporters say the project would create jobs and bring new tax revenue to the city.
"These kinds of developments always occur in low income minority working class family neighborhoods," said Michael Glass, of the North Side Community Ministries. "These developments occur to us, on us, in spite of and regardless of us."
Some speakers even accused the authority of abusing power and ignoring neighborhoods.
In the end, the board voted three-to-one to sell the property.
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