Philadelphia city officials praised two Center City casino proposals for the potential they have to reinvigorate downtown.
The proposals — the Provence proposal for the old Philadelphia Inquirer building on Broad Street and the Market8 plan for the 800 block of Market Street — were cited for their potential to attract a new audience and spur economic development while, at the same, not taking business from existing area casinos.
“If it’s done well, [Market8] could have a rejuvenative effect on a block that’s been bad for three decades,” said Alan Greenberger, deputy mayor for economic development. “It could attract a new audience with no negative impact on other casinos.”
The Provence, which would have a casino and substantial retail component, would have the greatest revenue potential on both the gaming and non-gaming side, the city said.
He made the city’s case at a hearing before the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. The hearing, held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, weighed out the pros and cons of the six casino proposals. Only one plan will be chosen.
A third proposal, for a Wynn casino on North Delaware Avenue, drew the city’s praise for its potential for redeveloping the Delaware River waterfront.
“It could have a powerful transformation of the waterfront. There’s the power of the Wynn brand, that’s not to be taken for granted,” Greenberger said. “But we’re not sure how it fits into the city.”
Wynn and the Provence would both drive job growth, while the Provence would provide the most revenue on both the gaming and non-gaming side, the city officials said.
All six proposals are viable, Greenberger said, adding that none “can be ruled out.”
However, Greenberger expressed concerns about the three South Philadelphia proposals:
Casino Revolution, which he said was “isolated” and “unlikely to appeal to a new audience”
Penn Gaming’s Hollywood Casino, which because of its proximity to the stadiums, raised a “significant concern” over game-day traffic
The Cordish-Greenwood proposal for Live! Hotel & Casino, which again raised traffic issues.
Greenberger also cited the city’s disappointment with Cordish’s XFinity Live!, whose “quality [is] less than originally proposed.”
The city’s assessment was aided by a Mount Laurel, N.J., consulting firm, AKRF.
After the hearing, Bruce Crawley, spokesman for Casino Revolution, balked at the characterization that the casino would be isolated. He said the ownership group will continue to hone its proposal.
“We think we focused on what the city wanted. We have great relations with the neighborhoods. If you look at other casinos, they don’t have neighborhoods next door,” Crawley said. “We think we’d have the greatest impact. Along with Wynn, we’re the only one that can go to 5,000 slots. We also have the early-open option, getting open in nine months from licensing, as opposed to 15 to 18 months.”
Bart Blatstein, a principal behind the Provence project, said he’ll continue to refine his proposal.
“I always feel like we have work to be done. We’re never satisfied,” Blatstein said. “We’ve gone to more than 40 neighborhood meetings.”
Ken Goldenberg, a partner in the Market8 proposal, said despite the city’s apparent praise of the Provence and Market8 projects, “they are very different from one another.”
“Our project would create a zone between the Loews and Marriott down to the galleries of Old City. We’d have a $15 million rewards program for merchants. We wouldn’t have the retail [of the Provence], but the Gallery is our retail. Chinatown is our retail. The galleries on Second Street are our retail.”
Tuesday’s hearing was interrupted for upwards to 10 minutes while about 25 to 30 protesters chanted, “No casino ... No casino no matter where.” They carried signs saying “Addiction,” “Crime,” “Poverty.” Check out video here.
Protester Paul Boni held up a sign quoting a 2007 campaign promise from Mayor Michael Nutter vowing not to use casinos for economic development.
Another protester, Ellen Somekawa, was the first to launch into a protest chant during the hearing.
She and other proesters were escorted out by police. Outside the hearing room, she said the No Casino in our City Coalition is made up of 10 smaller organizations. They oppose all casino development.
“Enough,” she said. “The city has enough already.”
Source: Philadelphia Business Journal
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