Pittsburgh is one step closer to a new public plaza on the North Shore for baseball fans to cheer on the Pirates.
The city’s Stadium Authority voted unanimously Thursday to sell a large parcel of land next to PNC Park to the Pittsburgh Pirates that will be turned into a 30,000-square-foot plaza complete with a 916-square foot LED screen to show Pirates games and other events.
The Pirates have an agreement to buy the land at the corner of Mazeroski Way and General Robinson Street for $569,467.
Aaron Waller, executive director of the Stadium Authority, said the parties plan to close the transaction sometime next week.
Waller said the authority approved the sale because of the public benefit the plaza would bring.
He said that plans call for a 23-by-40-foot video screen, stages, concession stands and a beer garden, seating options and places for yard games.
“It will enhance not just the experience for Pirates games, but all public events,” Waller said. “It will be a key part of the continued transformation of the North Shore.”
Waller said an apartment complex near the parcel is under construction and almost complete. The ground floor of that complex will house a restaurant that will open into the plaza, he said.
The Pirates did not immediately return a request for comment on Thursday.
Waller said the Pirates and Steelers have an option agreement for development projects on the land where Three Rivers Stadium once stood, and the sale is a continuation of that project.
He said the Pirates are working with HiLife Hospitality to develop the plaza. HiLife owns Burgatory, a regional restaurant chain.
Waller said the plaza fits into the overall mission of the authority, which is to redevelop parcels of former stadium sites into entertainment, restaurants, and other things the public can enjoy.
“It has been some years coming to find projects like this, so it’s a good thing to see some progress,” Waller said.
Pittsburgh’s Planning Commission approved the project last month.
Ryan Deto is a TribLive reporter covering politics, Pittsburgh and Allegheny County news. A native of California’s Bay Area, he joined the Trib in 2022 after spending more than six years covering Pittsburgh at the Pittsburgh City Paper, including serving as managing editor. He can be reached at rdeto@triblive.com.