Agreement allows excavation near old church to continue

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh and a developer have agreed to let excavation work continue near an old church.
Under an agreement reached Thursday, the diocese and TEDCO Construction agreed to let excavation of a three-story, underground parking garage and office building continue as long as the company finds low-impact ways to proceed. The diocese had sought an injunction Tuesday to halt the project because it said the work had damaged St. Paul Cathedral.
"The Diocese of Pittsburgh is pleased that all parties were able to come to an agreement that protects the public safety and guards against further damage to the Cathedral. That has been our concern from the start," the diocese said in a statement."
Allegheny County Judge Michael A. Della Vecchia said if the parties hadn't reached an agreement by Thursday afternoon, he would have heard the church's argument to halt work near the 98-year-old cathedral.
Church officials said pieces of masonry have fallen from the cathedral and structural cracks have appeared. The diocese said it is concerned for the safety of worshippers and pedestrians in the area.