Don Barden might add an arena to his proposal

[Defence21]

According to the following article in the Post-Gazette, Don Barden's group, which proposed to build a casino on the North Shore near Carnegie Science Center, may add an arena to their proposal if they receive clarification that it is legal.

Read it here: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06056/661146.stm

[imau2fan]

The pressure is working! But let's not rest on our laurels.

[NIN]

According to the following article in the Post-Gazette, Don Barden's group, which proposed to build a casino on the North Shore near Carnegie Science Center, may add an arena to their proposal if they receive clarification that it is legal.

Read it here: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06056/661146.stm

He needs to get something cleared up by the board first. He is confused as to whether or not it is "legal" to include an arena into a proposal. Every indication I got was that not only is it legal but it is encouraged. The illegal thing would be taking money you proposed from the cost of the casino into something else. Thus cheapening the casino like HARRAH's did in New Orleans and a couple other places too im sure. Liar liar pants on fire indeed.

[td_ice]

The pressure is working! But let's not rest on our laurels.

I agree.

The Penguins have agreed with the local officials that they will cool things down.

But that does not mean that we that support the new arena should do the same.

Keep the calls coming to the talk shows.

Keep the letters and emails and calls to the politicians going.

Now is the time NOT TO LET UP. I beileve that the constant pressure is having a positive effect. Easing up on things will have the reserve effect and allow the politicians to believe their media posturing is all they needed to do.

They needed to be continually pushed imo.

[imau2fan]

If Barden pledges a significant amount of money toward the arena, and not just a token, this would be a huge shot in the arm for the Penguins. Because it would leave Forest City with one of two choices:

1) Stubbornly resist arena contributions, and be the one black sheep applicant amongst the three who doesn't address the issue. That would not only degrade their PR standing, but perhaps their Gaming Board standing too.

2) Pledge a nice chunk of change themselves, and perhaps spur a modest bidding war between them and Barden. Meanwhile, the Pens just sit back and let the numbers roll in their favor.

Oh, the plot thickens.

[MKRA]

He's essentially questioning the legality -- and hoping for an answer that it is -- but at the same time implying that, if necessary, he'll go the route of some funding.

This is huge because it's the first significant step toward that end. The public opinion is causing politicians to scramble and other applicants to adjust.

What he would pledge remains to be seen, of course. But you know what? It's a slippery slope. And once he, or Forrest Hills goes down that road, they'll keep going because, really, they'll have to.

[Draftnik]

Barden's group is in worse financial condition than IoC so he never will get the license. His presence though could serve as a stalking horse for IoC to get Harrah's on board by funding an arena. The irony of Harrah's pie in the sky projections is they will be unable to say no with their ridiculous estimates.

[Henry Hank]

This really is great news. I can't see any of the people involved with Forest City (including Rendell, O'Connor, and Onarato) not letting an arena get built and letting the Pens go. It's just going to make them look terrible. They may not agree to finance the whole thing, but I think they're going to have to cave and give something. Somehow, I see this getting done. It may take a combinitaion of funds, but I'm feeling a lot better about the Pens staying.

[dboss]

This really is great news. I can't see any of the people involved with Forest City (including Rendell, O'Connor, and Onarato) not letting an arena get built and letting the Pens go. It's just going to make them look terrible. They may not agree to finance the whole thing, but I think they're going to have to cave and give something. Somehow, I see this getting done. It may take a combinitaion of funds, but I'm feeling a lot better about the Pens staying.

I think you are correct that FC and the Three Stooges will have a lot to answer for if the Pens leave at this point. Not only will it make them look terrible but I think they suffer a huge PR hit. Especially FC, because that will offend A LOT of people in the city and that could seriously jeopardize their revenue streams if people feel like they 'bought' the license through political connections and gave NOTHING back to the community (Yes, I consider their current proposals community giveback to be nothing).

[DayWalker]

Yes, it will be great when ALL of the applicants pledge "X" amount of dollars for an arena...

...and the Penguins leave town anyway because they will not be willing (able to?) make up the difference in arena construction costs as per the eventual dictates of "Plan B."

[Bowser]

multiple plans in the past indicated the Penguins were willing to invest around $47 million to build a new arena. Since the team is for sale and IOC has pledged to build the arena, I assume Lemieux is no longer willing to offer that amount.

[bill from turtle creek]

While I appreciate Lemieux's frustration, I wonder if he plans to ask for operational control of the facility, much like the Steelers and Pirates, in return for a small rent payment. If he does not participate in the funding of the building, I cannot imagine that the city and county will go along with that. His leverage would be much greater if the team contributed. Even though he doesn't have to do this in any cities where there is an arena waiting for him, he also wouldn't get operational control there, either.

[Bowser]

I believe it was Leeper's plan that stated the Pens would pay $3 million in rent for the new arena. No idea how that would work with IOC building the arena and then handing it over to SEA.

[bill from turtle creek]

I think $3 million a year is more than the Steelers, certainly more than the Pirates, but an arena is a much more valuable piece of property in that respect given it's multi-use capability.

I don't know how this will work, but looking at it from the outside, seems like a sweet deal if the Pens get the building to run as they please for only $3 million a year and no initial investment. Their concessions profit from hockey alone would have to be more than $3 million.

[Bowser]

I agree, a $3 million "investment" to make millions isn't bad.