Politics

Leaders Want Answers After Proposed Casino Changes

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― Local politicians are making demands after Don Barden outlined a plan under which he'd give up majority control of the new casino planned for Pittsburgh's North Shore.

Barden went before the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board in Harrisburg Thursday.

The proposal before the gaming board involves crafting a new partnership - an investment group that would own 75 percent of the casino, leaving Barden 25 percent.

"I'm practical and I know that this project needed additional equity to get it over the finish line," Barden said. "So I don't mind giving up ownership to people who are putting in hard cold cash."

State Senator Jane Orie blames the gaming board, calling the deal a debacle on KDKA Radio.

"There is no way that Mr. Barden should be able to negotiate who the next person is to own this. It should be open for re-bid," she said. "There's no way that this deal should happen. Absolutely not. They still will have time if they put it out there to the public and allow these others, Isle of Capri, Harrah's, and the other ones the opportunity to bid on them."

But the commissioners still have high expectations.

"The City of Pittsburgh, this board, people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania expect a world-class facility with amenities that were promised to you and to us at the time that we issued that license," Sanford Rivers, a member of the gaming board, said.

It's a roadblock that has Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and County Executive Dan Onorato very concerned. In a statement, the pair says: "The residents of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County deserve to be informed about any changes in ownerships or commitments made by the licensee.

"Therefore we are requesting a presentation by the Gaming Control Board to explain the proposed changes and whether they will affect the casino's construction timeline and opening date."

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