The Pittsburgh Planning Commission "wasn't that thrilled" about the "vague plans for 'Pirates Plaza' being contemplated as part of the proposal for a new North Shore retail, office and condominium development," according to Mark Belko of the PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE. Members at the meeting on Tuesday "wanted more details about the plaza, including its expected cost." Pirates Senior VP/Business Affairs & General Counsel Bryan Stroh said that there will be "open space for fans and visitors to the North Shore as well as public art." It also "could be a gathering spot before and after games." Stroh confirmed that one of the ideas under consideration is "some type of tribute to the nine Pirates who have had their jerseys retired and to Jackie Robinson." Stroh said, "We'll certainly have plenty of Pirates tie-ins to the plaza. But that's one of the ways it might look, and when we're ready to announce the final plaza designs, we will do that." Belko noted plaza construction "won't start until spring" next year. It would be "completed in conjunction with the building" in '22 (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 2/26).
