A city Stadium Authority board member who criticized two North Shore land deals and an entertainment complex proposed by the Pittsburgh Steelers and a Columbus developer has been removed by Mayor Luke Ravenstahl.

Board Chairwoman Debbie Lestitian said this morning in a brief phone interview that she had been told by the mayor's office that she was being replaced.

"I serve at the pleasure of the mayor and he has the right to replace me," she said.

Joanna Doven, Mr. Ravenstahl's spokesperson, said she could not immediately confirm whether Ms. Lestitian would be replaced.

Ms. Lestitian tied her removal to her opposition to the sale of parcels of land to Continental Real Estate Cos., which is developing the land between Heinz Field and PNC Park, and the Steelers. They plan to build a riverfront entertainment complex next to Heinz Field.

In August, Ms. Lestitian voted against the sale of one parcel of land and portions of three others to Continental for $1.32 million for a Hyatt Place Hotel and the sale of another four-acre site for the entertainment complex to the Steelers and Continental for $1.37 million. Ms. Lestitian complained that the prices for the parcels were too low.

At an authority board meeting last week, Ms. Lestitian also criticized a proposed three-year delay Continental and the team were seeking to finish a brick courtyard associated with the entertainment facility and described the proposed complex as "ugly."

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.