Wednesday: Omnibus Primer

"This will be money the company will spend to spur economic development in terms of architects, planners, engineers and that sort of thing, feasibility studies, analysis. So the benefit will accrue to the people in the community of the Hill District," he said. (P-G, Mark Belko)

You know what, Mr. Barden, that is a nifty idea! The trick of course will be in the execution, and then in the getting anybody to pay attention.

"He's continued to be a good partner in this effort and I think it's important for us to reciprocate with a letter to the gaming board," Mr. Ravenstahl said.

Our Mayor and Our County Executive are right to bank away from Sen. Ferlo on this. They should consider the option more frequently.

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That gap prompted the city to bring in The Reinvestment Fund, which has also studied Philadelphia and Baltimore. (P-G, Rich Lord)

We were just saying!

Rob Stephany, interim executive director of the Urban Redevelopment Authority, said that the key is not "what the color of the neighborhood is" but what the underlying data says and where an area fits into the city's tapestry.

Awww, bummer! We bet they put a lot of thought into their little seven-color schemata! Can we still have a looksee?

The study cost $35,000 and was paid for by the URA and the New York City-based Surdna Foundation. The Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group oversaw the process.

Thirty-five grand, all things considered? If the study is any good at all, that's a bargain. We aren't interested any of your negative comments about "another expensive report gathering dust." Good on the URA for once.

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Anything's possible, Port Authority board members surmised at recent committee meetings, where they endorsed the idea of selling naming and promotional rights for the 1.2-mile light-rail extension and other assets to increase revenue. (P-G, Joe Grata)

Sure, why not. As long as "anything" gets vetted through the proper processes, go ahead and outfit Steve Bland as an organ grinder and put him in subway stations. Let Dan Onorato deal hands of Three Card Monte on the side.

Strike that, actually.

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The Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation has joined forces with N&P Properties to control the development of almost a block of buildings along Market Street between Fifth Avenue and Market Square. (P-G, Diana Nelson Jones)

So what, now they're going to put up four houses, and then a hotel? Let's put this one on the 'watch' list, especially with the PDP lurking about. Speaking of:

A town hall meeting is set for 5 p.m., May 5, at the Harris Theater, Downtown, where drawings will be available and landscape architect Dina Cole Klavon will speak. The public will be able to make comments, which also can be submitted to MarketSquare@DowntownPittsburgh.com till May 15. (P-G, Edit Board)

That's a Monday. Excellent.

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"I don't think that it's been the policy to bid these [refinancings of debt] out," said State Rep. Don Walko, the [Pittsburgh Water and Sewage] authority chairman. "I think you just try to find the best team." (Trib, Jeremy Boren)

Okay, possibly. Fine.

Ergo, PWSA came before council, contrite and full of excuses, asking for a last-minute life extension. But also warning council that time was of the essence because of the shakiness in our present financial markets. A delay of even a week could cost $2 million or so, PWSA worried. So council was told their preliminary approval to the extension had to occur at that moment. Right then and there on the spot. Because final approval had to occur on Tuesday. (Burgh Report, Char)

If that depiction is at all accurate, the whole thing is still offensive, and the need for it should be abolished in the future. There may be new paradigms worth considering to carry out this function, and it would be best to keep as many options on the table as possible. Savvy?