After abandoning the idea of an amphitheater next to Heinz Field, the Steelers are putting together plans for a year-round $10 million entertainment complex at the site.

The team is seeking to partner with sports and entertainment giant Anschutz Entertainment Group -- called AEG -- on the proposed venue, which would be built in a parking lot adjacent to Heinz Field.

Mark Hart, the Steelers' director of business, confirmed yesterday that the team was trying to finalize a partnership with AEG on the complex, which would feature a club-like indoor venue and the ability to hold events outside in open space near Heinz Field.

"We're in the final strokes, figuring out the economics and the business terms," he said.

The entertainment complex is the latest variation of the Steelers' longtime desire to develop the site for music and other events. The team originally had plans for a 5,600-seat amphitheater on the property but had trouble negotiating a deal with a promoter and finalizing the economics of the project.

Plans for North Shore Live, an amphitheater and entertainment complex to be done in conjunction with Baltimore developer Cordish Co., fell through last fall, in part because of logistical challenges, including seating and a barrier wall, that were difficult to overcome.

Mr. Hart said the complex envisioned in partnership with AEG would have indoor seating for about 2,000 people. Among the activities, the venue would host concerts, special performances and festivals, he said.

"I think it's just the evolution of that industry," he said of the latest plans. "We want something that can be a business year round."

Mr. Hart said the complex would be the first of its kind in Pittsburgh, although he added the company has done similar venues in other cities. The team is hoping it would work in concert with the restaurants already on the North Shore, such as Jerome Bettis Grille 36, named after the former Steelers running back.

AEG owns and operates several major sports and entertainment venues, including the Staples Center in Los Angeles. It currently is in the midst of developing L.A. Live, a $2.5 billion sports, entertainment and residential complex near Staples.

A subsidiary, AEG Live, teamed with Nokia to develop Nokia Theatre Times Square, a 2,100-seat theater for concerts, special events and other live entertainment at Broadway and 44th Street in New York City. It has developed a similar venue in the Dallas/Fort Worth area as well as the one in Los Angeles.

In Pittsburgh, ICON Venue Group, which will oversee the design and construction of the new $290 million arena for the Penguins, is a joint venture between AEG and Romani Group Inc., a venue development company. AEG also manages the Sprint Center in Kansas City, which courted the Penguins last winter during the negotiations for the new arena.

While the Steelers firm up their plans, another major North Shore development is expected to get under way by this summer.

Columbus, Ohio-based Continental Real Estate Cos., which is developing the land between Heinz Field and PNC Park for the Steelers and the Pirates, is expected to go before the city Stadium Authority in four to six weeks with plans for a Hyatt Place Hotel near the Equitable Resources building.

Frank Kass, Continental chairman, said the hotel would be "very upscale," with about 180 rooms. The development cost is close to $25 million.

Continental expects to submit site plans, floor plans and building elevations to the Stadium Authority and city-county Sports & Exhibition Authority later this winter. It hopes to break ground in late spring or early summer.

The hotel would be the third between the stadiums. A 198-room Marriott SpringHill Suites hotel opened in 2005 near PNC Park. A 180-room Residence Inn also is planned in the same vicinity.