Steelers, Stadium Authority Land Feud May Be Heading To Court

Feud Over Heinz Field-Area Land Could Lead To Steelers, Stadium Authority Court Battle

An impasse over several acres near Heinz Field "could stall development on the North Shore and start a court battle between the Steelers and Pittsburgh's Stadium Authority," according to Jeremy Boren of the Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW. At issue is whether the Steelers can buy 3.82 acres of "prime, riverside real estate so its developer, Continental Real Estate, can build a long-delayed, $10[M], 2,000-seat entertainment complex." Stadium Authority Chair Debbie Lestitian said that the Steelers "have lost the exclusive right to develop the property known as Lot 6 because Continental hasn't built fast enough on the North Shore." Lestitian "contends the Steelers failed to comply with terms of an extension the authority granted in 2005 to buy or lease Lot 6." Steelers Dir of Business Mark Hart in a statement said that the team is "working with the authority to buy Lot 6 and complete a separate deal with the authority to pay $1.3[M] for 3.53 acres near PNC Park." The Stadium Authority "remains in control of several North Shore parcels." Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said that he "doesn't believe the price the Steelers would pay for Lot 6 is set." Lestitian "has expressed concerns that a previous legal settlement between the city and the team sets the price at $1[M], far below its value." Pennsylvania state Rep. Jake Wheatley said that the Stadium Authority is "prepared to defend Lestitian's position in court, but he hopes it doesn't come to that" (Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 6/5).