The North Side is one of the most culturally rich neighborhoods in Pittsburgh. With attractions as diverse as the Carnegie Science Center, the National Aviary, the Mattress Factory and two major-league stadiums, this sector plays host to a wide range of visitors -- kids, adults, animal lovers, art junkies and sports nuts.

But because the neighborhood's treasures are spread out like a charm bracelet, rather than lined up side by side, we forget what a rich tapestry of institutions it hosts.

Soon a North Shore casino will compete with the area's cultural hot spots and traditions. No one believes the casino will suck the air out of the North Side's museums and educational venues, but there is a move afoot to make the area even more attractive to families than it already is.

To that end, the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh has sponsored a design project to spur neighborhood redevelopment and integration of the area's many cultural assets. The project is funded by a National Endowment of the Arts grant and has attracted four design teams, including groups from Santa Monica, Calif., and London.

Two teams from New York have also presented proposals. One enlisted the help of two local design firms to give its proposal a hometown advantage.

The ideas run from reconnecting Ohio and Federal streets, to building a wilderness trail for the park. One plan calls for illuminating the area's 14 underpasses with art projects commissioned by the Andy Warhol Museum and the Mattress Factory. Another calls for creating farmers markets to attract Steelers tailgate party revelers.

Cross-promoting established institutions is a great way to go, too. Now more than ever, it's essential to find creative ways of marketing the North Side's cultural institutions -- not only to newcomers but also to each other's visitors.

The proposals will be on display at the Children's Museum for the next month. No funding has been promised by any local or state entity to enact any of the plans. That may come later.

For now, the plans are simply an invitation to all Pittsburghers to dream of a revitalized and better-connected North Side. With any luck, the city can move quickly past this stage to the reality of implementation.