Ever so gradually, the North Shore is going from bust to boom.

For some 30 years, the land surrounding Three Rivers Stadium served as Pittsburgh's biggest parking lot, a bleak patch of asphalt with virtually no development.

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But now that is changing. With PNC Park and Heinz Field leading the way, the North Shore area is in the midst of a development boom that could reach more than $1.1 billion with the construction of the Majestic Star casino in 2008.

In the last six years, the North Shore has seen the completion of two new sports venues, the Del Monte and Equitable office buildings, a hotel, a riverfront park and a parking garage.

Much of the activity has been the result of work by Columbus-based Continental Real Estate Cos., hired by the Steelers and the Pirates to bring development to the area between Heinz Field and PNC Park. The two teams share development rights to that stretch.

Even bigger things could be on tap over the next few years, with the anticipated construction of two more hotels, another office building, and a proposed entertainment venue featuring a 5,000-seat amphitheater and nightclubs.

And on the Ohio River, Detroit businessman Don Barden is getting ready to turn a barren 17-acre waterfront site between the West End Bridge and Carnegie Science Center into the crown jewel of his gambling empire -- the $435 million Majestic Star slot machine casino, to open in 2008 with restaurants, nightclubs, an outdoor amphitheater and other amenities. It could open up even more opportunities for development.