Mayor Murphy envisions an entertainment center sprouting between Three Rivers and the new ballpark. Steelers owner Dan Rooney and Gateway Clipper fleet owner John Connelly would like to see nearby retail shops and malls. Both questions will trigger much debate in the months ahead. Although no one's suggesting a name at this point, Mayor Murphy has an optimistic plan for financing the baseball park. The remaining half could come from private and regional public sources.
Critics claim the mayor's plan is much too optimistic.
The ballpark project must compete for state funds along with all other regional requests, including renovations to the stadium and the Civic Arena. Insiders believe that the governor's check will cover only 15 to 20 percent of the total cost. And Allegheny County has closed its checkbook, at least during the ballpark's construction. County commissioners Larry Dunn and Bob Cranmer have already said that they will not use county taxes to help build the new ballpark. They may, however, help out with infrastructure costs.