STEELERS' ROONEY FLOATS MULTIPURPOSE IDEA IN PITTSBURGH

     Steelers President Dan Rooney said he would prefer a new
Pirates ballpark be located on the "North Side," near Three
Rivers Stadium, and even suggested a multipurpose facility as a
possibility.  Mark Belko reports in the PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE
that Rooney said architect HOK Sports has designed a multipurpose
facility that is "quite unique."  Rooney said if a baseball-only
park is built, the Steelers would like control over Three Rivers,
and possibly a role in development of the riverfront.  Rooney
envisions a Pittsburgh Sports Hall of Fame, an ampitheatre, an
NFL-Experience-type facility, and retail shops.  Belko writes
Rooney's opinion "could carry considerable clout" with city
officials as they determine the best site for a ballpark (POST-
GAZETTE, 4/2).  Meanwhile, Mayor Tom Murphy's Forbes Field II
Task Force has all but ruled out City Center as a site, due to
high costs (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 4/2).