ON THIS DAY: April 7, 1999, Groundbreaking for PNC Park
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By Matt Simmons
PITTSBURGH, Pa. — After decades of victories that brought the Pittsburgh Pirates two World Series wins and left the names Clemente, Mazeroski and Stargell echoing around its concrete rings, the team fell out of love with Three Rivers Stadium.
Their stadium roommate, the Pittsburgh Steelers, were of a similar disposition and both teams began embracing the idea of a new facility. In the final analysis, it wasn’t the structure that failed, it was the inability to add enough luxury boxes to suit team owners and a design that was a compromise between two disparate sports but a master of neither.
On Sept. 5, 1991, Mayor Sophie Masloff proposed the idea of a new home for the Pirates on the city’s North Shore. Discussions about a baseball-only facility lingered for years afterward, but kept striking out until Kevin McClatchy purchased the team in February 1996. With new ownership, a new sense of urgency emerged.
Masloff’s successor, Mayor Tom Murphy, created a task force to study the feasibility of a new ballpark. The final report of the Forbes Field II Task Force was released on June 26, 1996 to wide criticism, including a published rebuttal from the Allegheny Institute for Public Policy.
Honus Wagner statue is in front of PNC Park Honus Wagner statue is in front of PNC Park before the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 9, 2004 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Dodgers won 9-7.
PNC PARK A laser light show over the downtown Pittsburgh skyline celebrates the ground breaking at PNC Park, the new home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, on Pittsburgh's Northside, Wednesday, April 7, 1999. The Pirates plan on opening the 2001 season in the new ballpark. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) (GENE J. PUSKAR/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
PNC Park The Pittsburgh skyline is seen above the batting cage at PNC Park as the Pittsburgh Pirates take batting practice before their scheduled baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Friday, May 19, 2017, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) (Keith Srakocic/AP)
PNC Park The $262 million ballpark had its groundbreaking on April 7, 1999. The ballpark opened to great acclaim just two years after the groundbreaking and has become a model for civic structures around the world.
PNC Park The $262 million ballpark had its groundbreaking on April 7, 1999. The ballpark opened to great acclaim just two years after the groundbreaking and has become a model for civic structures around the world.
PNC Park The $262 million ballpark had its groundbreaking on April 7, 1999. The ballpark opened to great acclaim just two years after the groundbreaking and has become a model for civic structures around the world.
PNC Park The $262 million ballpark had its groundbreaking on April 7, 1999. The ballpark opened to great acclaim just two years after the groundbreaking and has become a model for civic structures around the world.
PNC Park The $262 million ballpark had its groundbreaking on April 7, 1999. The ballpark opened to great acclaim just two years after the groundbreaking and has become a model for civic structures around the world.
PNC Park The $262 million ballpark had its groundbreaking on April 7, 1999. The ballpark opened to great acclaim just two years after the groundbreaking and has become a model for civic structures around the world.
PNC Park The $262 million ballpark had its groundbreaking on April 7, 1999. The ballpark opened to great acclaim just two years after the groundbreaking and has become a model for civic structures around the world.
PNC Park The $262 million ballpark had its groundbreaking on April 7, 1999. The ballpark opened to great acclaim just two years after the groundbreaking and has become a model for civic structures around the world.
PNC Park The $262 million ballpark had its groundbreaking on April 7, 1999. The ballpark opened to great acclaim just two years after the groundbreaking and has become a model for civic structures around the world.
WPXI PNC Par k seats removed (WPXI)
PNC Park The $262 million ballpark had its groundbreaking on April 7, 1999. The ballpark opened to great acclaim just two years after the groundbreaking and has become a model for civic structures around the world.
PNC Park The $262 million ballpark had its groundbreaking on April 7, 1999. The ballpark opened to great acclaim just two years after the groundbreaking and has become a model for civic structures around the world.
PNC Park The $262 million ballpark had its groundbreaking on April 7, 1999. The ballpark opened to great acclaim just two years after the groundbreaking and has become a model for civic structures around the world.
PNC Park The $262 million ballpark had its groundbreaking on April 7, 1999. The ballpark opened to great acclaim just two years after the groundbreaking and has become a model for civic structures around the world.
PNC Park The $262 million ballpark had its groundbreaking on April 7, 1999. The ballpark opened to great acclaim just two years after the groundbreaking and has become a model for civic structures around the world.
PNC Park The $262 million ballpark had its groundbreaking on April 7, 1999. The ballpark opened to great acclaim just two years after the groundbreaking and has become a model for civic structures around the world.
PNC Park The $262 million ballpark had its groundbreaking on April 7, 1999. The ballpark opened to great acclaim just two years after the groundbreaking and has become a model for civic structures around the world.
PNC Park The $262 million ballpark had its groundbreaking on April 7, 1999. The ballpark opened to great acclaim just two years after the groundbreaking and has become a model for civic structures around the world.
The Pittsburgh Pirates, along with Animal Friends, hosted Pup Night at PNC Park. There was a large turnout not only for the game but also for the event.
PNC Park The $262 million ballpark had its groundbreaking on April 7, 1999. The ballpark opened to great acclaim just two years after the groundbreaking and has become a model for civic structures around the world.
PNC Park The $262 million ballpark had its groundbreaking on April 7, 1999. The ballpark opened to great acclaim just two years after the groundbreaking and has become a model for civic structures around the world.
PNC Park The $262 million ballpark had its groundbreaking on April 7, 1999. The ballpark opened to great acclaim just two years after the groundbreaking and has become a model for civic structures around the world.
PNC Park The $262 million ballpark had its groundbreaking on April 7, 1999. The ballpark opened to great acclaim just two years after the groundbreaking and has become a model for civic structures around the world.
PNC Park The $262 million ballpark had its groundbreaking on April 7, 1999. The ballpark opened to great acclaim just two years after the groundbreaking and has become a model for civic structures around the world.
R & B group Boyz II Men performed live at PNC Park after the Pirates battled the Royals in interleague play. After a Pirates 5-3 win, the smooth sounds of the Grammy Award-winning group energized the sell-out crowd.
R & B group Boyz II Men performed live at PNC Park after the Pirates battled the Royals in interleague play. After a Pirates 5-3 win, the smooth sounds of the Grammy Award-winning group energized the sell-out crowd.
R & B group Boyz II Men performed live at PNC Park after the Pirates battled the Royals in interleague play. After a Pirates 5-3 win, the smooth sounds of the Grammy Award-winning group energized the sell-out crowd.
Opening Day at PNC Park in March
PNC Park filled with fans
PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 03: A general view of PNC Parking during opening day between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park on April 3, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 03: The Pittsburgh Pirates stand during the national anthem during opening day against the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park on April 3, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 03: Pittsburgh Pirates fans enter the ballpark before opening day between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 3, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Andrew McCutchen #22 of the San Francisco Giants on deck against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on May 11, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 26: Gregory Polanco #25 of the Pittsburgh Pirates watches a home run clear the wall in the first inning against St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park on May 26, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Families spend their Sunday enjoying fun and games outside of PNC Park for Kids Day before the Pirates game.
The Pittsburgh Pirates played the St. Louis Cardinals during their home opener at PNC Park on April 1, 2019.
View from the press box inside PNC Park View from the press box inside PNC Park
PNC Park PNC Park
PNC Park PNC Park
PNC Park PNC Park is seen along the north shore of the Allegheny River with the Pittsburgh skyline behind it before the crowds start to enter it for the opening day baseball game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago Cubs on Monday, April 1, 2013, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) (Keith Srakocic/AP)
Roberto Clemente statue With temperatures in the teens, the sunrises over the skyline of downtown Pittsburgh, behind a statue of Pittsburgh Pirates baseball Hall of Fame second baseman Bill Mazeroski, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) (Gene J. Puskar/AP)
PNC Park PNC Park, the home of Major League Baseball's Pittsburgh Pirates is seen along the north shore of the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, July 26, 2017. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) (Keith Srakocic/AP)
PNC Park PNC Park, the home of Major League Baseball's Pittsburgh Pirates is seen along the north shore of the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, July 26, 2017. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) (Keith Srakocic/AP)
PNC Park The sunsets over the downtown Pittsburgh skyline and PNC Park during a baseball game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Arizona Diamondbacks in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, May 30, 2017. The Diamondbacks won 3-0. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) (Gene J. Puskar/AP)
The ballpark opened to great acclaim just two years after the groundbreaking. Crowds at the first home-opening game at PNC Park on April 9, 2001, gawked at the city’s spectacular skyline spread before them with the Roberto Clemente Bridge leaping behind the stands of left field. It’s among the smallest of MLB ballparks, with a current seating capacity of 38,362.
PNC Park The $262 million ballpark had its groundbreaking on April 7, 1999. The ballpark opened to great acclaim just two years after the groundbreaking and has become a model for civic structures around the world.
PNC Park The $262 million ballpark had its groundbreaking on April 7, 1999. The ballpark opened to great acclaim just two years after the groundbreaking and has become a model for civic structures around the world.
PNC Park The $262 million ballpark had its groundbreaking on April 7, 1999. The ballpark opened to great acclaim just two years after the groundbreaking and has become a model for civic structures around the world.
PNC Park The $262 million ballpark had its groundbreaking on April 7, 1999. The ballpark opened to great acclaim just two years after the groundbreaking and has become a model for civic structures around the world.
PNC Park The $262 million ballpark had its groundbreaking on April 7, 1999. The ballpark opened to great acclaim just two years after the groundbreaking and has become a model for civic structures around the world.
PNC Park The $262 million ballpark had its groundbreaking on April 7, 1999. The ballpark opened to great acclaim just two years after the groundbreaking and has become a model for civic structures around the world.
PNC Park The $262 million ballpark had its groundbreaking on April 7, 1999. The ballpark opened to great acclaim just two years after the groundbreaking and has become a model for civic structures around the world.
PNC Park The $262 million ballpark had its groundbreaking on April 7, 1999. The ballpark opened to great acclaim just two years after the groundbreaking and has become a model for civic structures around the world.
PNC Park The $262 million ballpark had its groundbreaking on April 7, 1999. The ballpark opened to great acclaim just two years after the groundbreaking and has become a model for civic structures around the world.
PNC Park The $262 million ballpark had its groundbreaking on April 7, 1999. The ballpark opened to great acclaim just two years after the groundbreaking and has become a model for civic structures around the world.
PNC Park The $262 million ballpark had its groundbreaking on April 7, 1999. The ballpark opened to great acclaim just two years after the groundbreaking and has become a model for civic structures around the world.
PNC Park The $262 million ballpark had its groundbreaking on April 7, 1999. The ballpark opened to great acclaim just two years after the groundbreaking and has become a model for civic structures around the world.
PNC Park The $262 million ballpark had its groundbreaking on April 7, 1999. The ballpark opened to great acclaim just two years after the groundbreaking and has become a model for civic structures around the world.
Fireworks lights up sky above PNC Park after Pirates' huge win against Reds
After dropping the first game of a four-game series, the Pittsburgh Pirates came back to win the final three this weekend against the St. Louis Cardinals. Some are calling the three-game stretch the best in the history of PNC Park!
A general view of PNC Park during the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Colorado Rockies at PNC Park on April 17, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 24: The covered field is seen during a rain delay before inter-league play between the Detroit Tigers and the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 24, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Unfortunately, the dreams and promises that a new stadium would bring new success for the team have fallen short. The first home game was an 8-2 loss to the Cincinnati Reds and, perhaps, an omen of darker times to come.
Regardless of how the Pirates’ season is faring, PNC Park has received numerous and generous assessments from local fans and those who come to root for the visiting teams, and the stadium has become a model for civic structures around the world.
Willie Stargell stature outside PNC Park Families spend their Sunday enjoying fun and games outside of PNC Park for Kids Day before the Pirates game.
Masloff lived to see her dream of a North Shore ballpark become reality and even had a street near the ballpark named after her in 2007. Masloff died in 2014.