In Pittsburgh, Mark Belko in a front-page piece reports the Pittsburgh Urban Redevelopment Authority BOD "approved a deal" to give the Penguins another year, until Oct. 22, 2025, to "complete the lower Hill District development -- but not before attaching more conditions." One condition would "require the team to sacrifice" up to 40% of the parking revenue it now earns from the site -- up from 30% -- if it "hasn't developed 10.75 acres" by '23. Another "removes language in a 'material adverse effects' clause that some believed could have allowed the team to sidestep new deadlines under the agreement if the community objected to some of its plans" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 11/16).
FOUR SCORE: In Minneapolis, Jessie Van Berkel reports St. Paul City Council members yesterday voted to "contribute another" $4M for facilities in the area around Minnesota United's stadium. The stadium, currently under construction and slated to open in '19, will be a "key part of that site in the Midway neighborhood, where United and RD Management are expected to build a mixed-use development" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 11/16).
BIRD CAGE: In Atlanta, Steve Hummer writes Mercedes-Benz Stadium is "too nice." Hummer: "What we have here is a pub crawl occasionally interrupted by a concussion." Against the Cowboys on Sunday, "any scan of the building during any quarter seemed to reveal the same thing -- plenty of paid-for seats unoccupied." Who "knows where their owners were wandering in this food court on steroids?" What the Falcons have is a "great home stadium -- just not a very intimidating home stadium." Hummer: "Not yet, anyway. It has earned no personality beyond being just another pretty face" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 11/16).
