The Pirates' plans to build a 70-foot-long ship outside
PNC Park as a "fun-filled refuge for children are headed for
dry dock," according to Anthony Carlisle of the Pittsburgh
TRIBUNE-REVIEW. The Pittsburgh Sports & Exhibition
Authority (SEA) Board voted yesterday to require the team
"to get its approval and seek public input before making any
major changes to the stadium and grounds." The same
requirements would apply to the Steelers and their stadium.
It was "unclear" how long the procedural change might delay
the Pirates' proposal. Team VP/New Ballpark Development
Steve Greenburg said that the team "was currently reworking
the ship concept" (Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 7/18).
SHIP-SHAPE? Also in Pittsburgh, Christopher Davis
writes that the SEA voted yesterday to spend $18,000 for PA-
based John J. Clark & Associates to conduct an independent
audit of three diversity coordinators that have been paid
$375,000 to ensure that minority- and women-owned companies
"are included" in contracts for construction of the new
stadiums and convention center expansion (Pittsburgh
TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 7/18). Also in Pittsburgh, Tom Barnes
writes that Clark's hiring "comes amid recent questions"
raised about the minority and women's hiring practices in
the stadium's development (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 7/18).
