Forest City Enterprises Gets Support of Local Community

The endorsement came in conjunction with an agreement reached between the developer and the nonprofit group under which Forest City pledge to provide money for a community-related programs and initiatives. A South Side community group has decided that the best bet for Pittsburgh's slot machine casino right in its back yard.

At a news conference yesterday, the South Side Local Development Co. threw its support behind the bid by Forest City Enterprises to build a casino at Station Square.

As part of a state tax credit program, Forest City would give $150,000 a year for of 10 years to the South Side group for community projects if it gets the casino license or $50,000 a year for five years if it doesn't.

The South Side group currently is in the last year of a 10-year agreement with PNC Bank under the same program. In exchange for the contributions, the developer could be eligible for tax credits of 70 percent under the Neighbor Partnership Program, assuming the arrangement is approved by the state's Department of Community and Economic Development.

As part of its partnership with South Side group, Forest City also has agreed to pay for the immediate hiring of a full-time staff person for the nonprofit group, at a cost of less than $50,000 for one year, to work on gambling-related issues. A second year of funding depends on the status of the slots license.