As reported by the Pittsburgh Post Gazette: “Two of the bidders competing
for the Pittsburgh slot machine license are going after the same plot of
publicly owned land above Mellon Arena as part of their projects. “Both Isle
of Capri Casinos Inc. and Detroit businessman Don Barden want options on the
Urban Redevelopment Authority’s nine-acre Melody Tent site, now used for
parking. But they want it for different reasons.

“Isle of Capri wants to use the parcel for a temporary casino with 1,500
slot machines while its permanent casino is erected nearby. Mr. Barden wants
to use the parcel for a $350 million Hill District redevelopment project.
His proposed $410 million casino would be on the North Shore.”