title
Motion expressing the sense of Council of Allegheny County urging the Pittsburgh Steelers to finance the construction of new club seating in Heinz Field in its entirety.
body
WHEREAS, the Pittsburgh Steelers have become an indispensable cornerstone of the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County since their purchase by the Rooney family in 1933; and
WHEREAS, throughout their time in Pittsburgh, the Steelers have been exceptional partners with the community; and
WHEREAS, the Steelers, coming off of their fifth Super Bowl Championship, are currently valued by Forbes Magazine at approximately $820 million, with total 2004 revenues of $182 million and profits of $36 million; and
WHEREAS, the Steelers have just announced plans to add 717 club seats and approximately 20,000 square feet of club space within Heinz Field, the first such addition since the stadium opened in 2001; and
WHEREAS, the Sports and Exhibition Authority has recently voted to contribute towards this construction project from a capital reserve fund established at the time of the construction of Heinz Field, with the remainder for the project to be paid for by the Steelers; and
WHEREAS, moneys from the capital reserve fund might be more wisely conserved for use on future projects that could better benefit the people of Allegheny County, including alleviating some of their tax burden;
NOW THEREFORE, IT IS MOVED, AND IT IS THE SENSE OF THE COUNCIL OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY, that the Pittsburgh Steelers should more fully consider funding the full cost of the proposed addition to Heinz Field and to contribute more towards the expenses of operating and maintaining the stadium.