Like many '70s rock bands, the tent amphitheater at Station Square is making a comeback.

PNC Entertainment Group has filed an application with the city planning commission to reopen the outdoor venue in the parking lot just west of the Sheraton Station Square, the same spot occupied by the former Chevrolet Amphitheatre before it closed in 2006.

The company, which is not affiliated with PNC Financial Services Group, hopes to have the tent ready for occupancy by May. Construction is expected to start in March, with the cost estimated at $50,000.

But the return of the Station Square amphitheater wasn't the only big entertainment-related development to emerge yesterday.

Continental Real Estate Cos. disclosed that it was in "preliminary talks" with country singer Toby Keith about bringing one of his "I Love This Bar" restaurants to the North Shore.

The dining and concert venue would supplement the proposed $12 million year-round entertainment complex being developed by the Steelers and Continental on a four-acre riverfront parcel next to Heinz Field.

"They're separate deals, although they clearly would play off each other," Continental Chairman Frank Kass said, adding the Toby Keith venue probably would be built next to the entertainment complex.

Mr. Keith has opened restaurants in Las Vegas, Oklahoma City, Kansas City and Mesa, Ariz. Others are planned in New York and Chicago. They are named after Mr. Keith's hit single. Mr. Kass said Mr. Keith told him that Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio together comprise the largest market in the country for his CDs and downloads.

The singer also is a lifelong Steelers fan. Mr. Kass said Continental has been in "on-and-off conversations" with Mr. Keith since last May.

"They approached us because of the Steelers, because of the stadium, and because of the possibility of a larger entertainment complex," Mr. Kass said, stressing talks were still preliminary.

An amphitheater tent at Station Square, meanwhile, will be returning after a three-year hiatus. Station Square owner, Forest City Enterprises, did not renew the lease for the Chevrolet Amphitheatre because the site was needed for a proposed casino.

But when Station Square lost the casino bid, it was left with a vacant five-acre parcel. Forest City started advertising the site for redevelopment in August 2007 before landing the deal for the amphitheater.

"We felt it was important to bring it back after the gaming decision didn't go our way," Station Square General Manager Rocco Miller said.

"We're really excited about it. We get a bit of our identity back. We think it's important for our bars and restaurants and shops to have that venue and we believe it helps the entire property."

In its application, PNC, whose principals were not identified, said it plans to use the tent for live entertainment, festivals and other public events.

Station Square's deal with PNC Entertainment will run five years, Mr. Miller said. The tent will seat up to 5,500. Brian Drusky of Drusky Entertainment will book amphitheater events. Drusky now does bookings for a number of venues in the area.

With a new tent at Station Square and the Steelers' proposed complex to open in May 2010, it could produce dueling amphitheaters on opposite shores.

However, neither Mr. Kass nor Mr. Miller seemed much concerned about that prospect yesterday.

"We really don't care at all about that," Mr. Kass said. "We haven't given any thought to it. This is a whole new indoor-outdoor venue. Over the course of years, the bigger part of the revenue comes from the everyday business it will turn out."

He noted the complex will be open year round, with larger outdoor events in the summer and smaller ones inside during the colder months. There also are plans to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner at the venue, Mr. Kass said.

Mr. Miller said Forest City was primarily concerned about the impact the amphitheater would have on Station Square.

"I think we will benefit from this," he said. "It really was something we felt was very important for us to bring back."

The Steelers are seeking a $4 million state grant to help with the North Shore entertainment complex with a 5,600-seat amphitheater. Chuck Ardo, Gov. Ed Rendell's spokesman, said the return of an amphitheater to Station Square, a stone's throw from the North Shore, would not affect the decision-making on the grant.

"I think it's very much like clusters of restaurants on all four corners of a busy intersection. The more variety, the more people come around to make their choices," Mr. Ardo said. "So we believe offering more entertainment options will simply attract more people into the city."