Nov 10, 2007 8:16 am US/Eastern
Mayor, Casino Developer Settle Differences
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
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Don Barden says his Pittsburgh casino will be twice the size of the Majestic Star in Gary, Indiana.
KDKA
The mayor of Pittsburgh and the casino developer have settled their differences and now the Majestic Star planned for the North Shore has the green light.
Don Barden, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato held a press conference on Friday to announce that an agreement has been reached.
"Our goal is to keep this moving forward - not to put up artificial delays and to get an aesthetically-pleasing building, but a building that also makes sense for the operation for the business that he's going to put on the waterfront there, and I think we achieved that," Onorato said.
Barden has agreed to make part of the casino non-smoking and included an upgrade of their air-conditioning units in the design. The new casino will also be "green" or environmentally-sound in 22 of 23 categories.
The height of the parking garage will remain the same but they will make a decorative screening facade that will make it look good from all directions, Barden said.
"I will make a recommendation to the Planning Commission to support the process and continue to move it forward as quickly as possible as a result of the agreements that Mr. Barden has made," Ravenstahl said.
With Ravenstahl and Onorato onboard, Barden says the project is now full steam ahead. Groundbreaking for the casino is expected to happen in a month. From there, the casino is expected to be in operation in April of 2009.
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