Oct 12, 2007 8:17 pm US/Eastern
Steelers, Pirates, Casino Reach Interim Agreement
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
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The Steelers, Pirates and the Majestic Star Casino have reached an interim agreement to resolve traffic issues.
KDKA
The Pirates, Steelers and the Majestic Star Casino formally announced an interim agreement to resolve traffic issues.
Representatives of the parties entered a courtroom to hear Allegheny County President Judge Joseph James declare progress in settling the concerns.
"We sat here for a number of meetings, five or six, lots of charts, lots of diagrams, and lots of discussion. The parties through their own cooperation reached an understanding that this is a two step process," Judge James said.
The first step is to work together to develop an event traffic management plan for game days and special events.
"They have agreed that if they can't reach a settlement or consensus, then each side will submit a plan, and I will serve as master and pick one or the other," James said.
The second step is to secure structural improvements on the North Shore from government agencies. The judge would not get specific.
"This list is in the hands of people who can tell us, one, can this be done, two, how much is it going to cost, and, three, whose responsibility would it be and all of those things haven't been decided yet," he said.
The judge noted that final court resolution may not happen until mid-December after which the Steelers and the Pirates would drop their legal appeals.
"They have not been dropped and until that situation is resolved, they're business decisions, but I think it would be a mistake, frankly, until it's resolved to start putting a lot of money in the ground," Paul Titus, an attorney for the Majestic Star, said.
But all sides appear optimistic that groundbreaking is not far off.
"We are pleased with the progress made so far. We're hopeful that we can reach a final resolution," Greg Rhodes, an attorney for the Steelers, said.
"When was the last time you saw the Steelers, the Pirates, and the casino standing before the podium all in agreement and all smiles. I think that's a very good thing," Bob Oltmanns, a spokesman for the Majestic Star, said.
While all parties seem optimistic, don't look for shovels to turn quickly on the new casino. Even though the city has signed off on the initial building permits, the casino is still awaiting environmental permits.
Additionally, the Steelers and Pirates have not dropped their appeals and are not likely to do so until later this fall when the judge files his final report.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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