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Steelers Are Confident That They Can Add Seats,
But Specific Details Need To Be Worked Out |
The Steelers have indicated that they may add up to 4,000 seats at Heinz Field, but it remains to be seen "who would pay for the expansion," according to Jeremy Boren of the Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW. Provisions in the Steelers' lease agreement with the Pittsburgh-Allegheny County Sports & Exhibition Authority (SEA) "allow for an expansion that would be at least partially paid for with money from the authority's capital reserve fund, which is fed by a surcharge on Heinz Field tickets." SEA Exec Dir Mary Conturo indicated that there is about $5M in reserve. Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said that he "favors adding seats," noting that the "expansion might fall outside the original lease agreement with the team." Ravenstahl: "We would want to do a cost-benefit analysis, so I wouldn't rule out using taxpayer dollars completely, but I would want to see what the payback is in additional amusement tax and revenue." Regardless, Steelers President Art Rooney II yesterday said, "I think we're past the stage of saying, 'Can this be done?' We think there's a project to be done here." Boren notes a "range of 2,500 to 4,000 seats could be squeezed into the stadium's south end zone at the foot of the scoreboard." The team "hasn't determined whether the seats would require fans" to purchase PSLs, and prices for the seats "haven't been determined" (Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 12/29).
