Presenter
Presented by Mr. Udin
Title
Resolution authorizing temporary use of the North Shore Riverfront Park on the Ohio River only during the closure of the Monongahela Wharf in accordance with the Pittsburgh Code, Title 4, Section 463.02, Commercial Boats, and authorizing the Director of the Department of Finance to issue a permit to DNPS Delta Queen Steamboat Company, Inc., to dock certain paddlewheel riverboats at the North Shore Riverfront Park Dock on the Ohio River.
Body
WHEREAS, in prior years the American Classic Voyages Co., owner and operator of the Delta Queen Steamboat Company, which hitherto has operated the paddlewheel riverboat named the "Delta Queen", was granted a Permit to dock the Delta Queen at the Monongahela Wharf on the Monongahela River for the loading and unloading of passengers and cargo; and
WHEREAS, the City, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation ("PennDOT"), has determined that it is in the best interests of the public health, safety and welfare to close that certain City street known as Fort Pitt Boulevard and Interstate Connector and also the Fort Pitt Bridge for reconstruction for a period totaling approximately twenty-four (24) months, commencing on or about January 1, 2002; and
WHEREAS, given the proximity of Fort Pitt Boulevard and the Fort Pitt Bridge to the Monongahela Wharf, it is necessary that the Monongahela Wharf also be closed during the reconstruction project, thereby preventing the riverboats from docking at the Wharf to load and unload passengers and cargo; and
WHEREAS, American Classic Voyages Co. previously submitted to the City Department of Finance a written schedule for the proposed loading and unloading of passengers and cargo on a periodic basis as part of its tourist and sightseeing business on rivers, which includes the City on selected itineraries; and
WHEREAS, the City owns certain riparian rights at the riverside of the North Shore Riverfront Park currently owned by the Sports and Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County; and
WHEREAS, DNPS Delta Queen Steamboat Company has represented to the City that it has acquired certain assets and businesses of American Classic Voyages Co. including the cruise line business of the paddlewheel riverboats formerly owned by American Classic Voyages Co. and that it wishes to resume the itinerary previously planned by American Classic Voyages Co., including docking in the City of Pittsburgh; and
WHEREAS, DNPS Delta Queen Steamboat Company, Inc. has determined that the dock at the North Shore Riverfront Park is suitable for the docking of the paddlewheel riverboats; and
WHEREAS, the City is willing to permit the riverboats known as the Delta Queen, the Mississippi Queen and the American Queen to dock at the North Shore Riverfront Park Dock for the purpose of loading and unloading passengers and cargo in accordance with the schedule
submitted to the City Department of Finance by DNPS Delta Queen Steamboat Company, Inc. for the years 2002 and 2003.
Be it resolved by the Council of the City of Pittsburgh as follows:
Section 1. The Mayor and City Council hereby authorize temporary use of the North Shore Riverfront Park on the Ohio River only during the closure of the Mon Wharf in accordance with the Pittsburgh Code, Title 4, Section 463.02, Commercial Boats, and authorizing the Director of the Department of Finance to issue a permit to DNPS Delta Queen Steamboat Company, Inc., to dock certain paddlewheel riverboats at the North Shore Riverfront Park Dock on the Ohio River.
Section 2. The Director of Finance is authorized to issue to DNPS Delta Queen Steamboat Company, Inc. a permit for the Delta Queen, the Mississippi Queen and the American Queen to dock at the North Shore Riverfront Park Dock, at the location shown in the map attached hereto Exhibit "A", for the purpose of loading and unloading passengers and cargo, in accordance with the schedule previously provided to the Department of Finance for the years 2002 and 2003, or as long as the Monongahela Wharf is closed, whichever is shorter.
The permit to be issued, in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor, will allow DNPS Delta Queen Steamboat Company, Inc. and its employees, agents and subcontractors to dock the Delta Queen, the Mississippi Queen and the American Queen at the North Shore Riverfront Dock only during the closure of the Monongahela Wharf.
Upon the re-opening of the Monongahela Wharf, DNPS Delta Queen Steamboat Company, Inc. shall resume docking at said wharf, provided that it has obtained a permit from the City Department of Finance to dock at the Monongahela Wharf.