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Former Mayor Murphy Remembers Prominent City Developer

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- You may not have heard of Mark Schneider, but you can see his imprint everywhere.

The former head of the stadium authority, he was instrumental in the North Shore development of both PNC Park and Heinz Field as well as the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

"There's a wonderful team of people that make things happen in a city … and Mark was one of those people," said former Mayor Tom Murphy with whom he worked closely.

Schneider was also a private developer with a vision, turning a slag heap in Squirrel Hill into Summerset at Frick Park and developing Herr's Island into what is now the beautiful townhouse development of Washington's Landing.

"Who would have imagined that old Herr's Island would look like it does today or that the slag dump in Squirrel Hill would look like it does where hundreds of people now have great homes?" Murphy said. "Mark believed that that stuff could happen."

But Schneider was always active in civic affairs and charities whether that was spearheading the drive to honor veterans with the World War II Memorial or working to preserve green space with the organization 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania.

Mayor Ravenstahl said in a statement Schneider's "vision and leadership led to the creation of some of Pittsburgh's most amazing and successful developments. Mark was dedicated to his family, generous with his time and committed to his community."

Mark Schneider may not have been a household name here in Pittsburgh but his impact can be seen and felt all over town both in the development he fostered and the good will he spread.

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