Mayor Luke Ravenstahl wants to see the $25 million renovation of the Hilton Pittsburgh Downtown get back on track but stressed the city is in no position to subsidize the stalled development.

Mr. Ravenstahl said yesterday city building inspectors plan to meet with representatives for contractors and the hotel soon to determine the status of the project.

Contractor P.J. Dick halted work at the hotel last month, claiming that the owner, Shubh Hotels LLC, had not paid $317,273 in bills. It left behind a steel shell that is to be part of a proposed addition to the front entrance of the hotel.

Mr. Ravenstahl said he wants to see the project get moving again before the city hosts the prestigious G-20 summit, which will bring world leaders and thousands of dignitaries and journalists to Pittsburgh in September.

He said he already has conveyed that message to officials at the hotel, which sits at the entrance to Downtown and across from Point State Park. But he stressed there will be no city dollars put into the development to try to get it ready.

"It's our hope that they can continue to work and try to, if not get the project done ... at least clean it up and make it look better as we get ready to host the world in September," he said.

Meanwhile, Dave Horton, global head of Hilton Hotels & Resorts, said in a statement yesterday that officials at the chain "are closely following the situation in Pittsburgh."

Hilton is the franchisor for the hotel but neither owns nor manages the property.

The renovation project, which has lasted more than two years, has been beset with financial problems. P.J. Dick also stopped working last summer because of unpaid bills but resumed construction in November when it was paid.

Other contractors also have filed liens for nonpayments, although most have been satisfied, and some unions have had problems getting required pension and fringe benefit contributions.

Neither Jon Shisler, hotel general manager, nor Harris Mathis, chief operating officer for Florida-based Shubh, could be reached for comment yesterday.

Mr. Ravenstahl said he did not think the partially completed construction at Downtown's doorstep would negatively affect the city's image during the summit.

"There will be numerous projects under construction in September. Some will look better than others. It's just the nature of a city that's growing," he said.