Mayor Nutter, in a City Hall press conference that just wrapped up, sought to "set the record straight" about the city's role in the construction of two casinos here. Nutter insisted that his administration has no interest in blocking the projects, despite recent complaints from Gov. Rendell and state legislators. "The city of Philadelphia has not and does not stand in the way of the construction of the two casinos," Nutter said.
To demonstrate the city's willingness to cooperate, Nutter invited Joe Coradino, president of the Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust, to talk about negotiations with Foxwoods, a casino approved by the state for South Philly that is now negotiating to convert the former Strawbridge & Clothier store at 8th and Market streets. Coradino said PREIT is "working diligently" toward a deal with Foxwoods and thanked Nutter for the city's help in expediting matters.
Nutter also insisted that he expects SugarHouse, a casino approved by the state for the Delaware riverfront in Fishtown, to build there despite concerns he expressed in the past about that location. While Foxwoods has been working closely with the city, SugarHouse has asked the state Supreme Court to force the city to issue permits. Nutter brought a giant mock version of a building foundation permit, saying SugarHouse can pick it up from the Department of Licenses & Inspections right now.
As we told you earlier this week, Rendell griped about slow progress on city casinos and warned that Philadelphia could be stripped through legislation of wage tax relief being generated from gaming taxes on other casinos in the state. Philadelphia has so far received $86.6 million in wage tax relief from gaming taxes.
UPDATE, 5 pm: A Foxwoods spokeswoman declined to "put a time-line" on when a deal may be reached with PREIT. And SugarHouse CEO Greg Carlin just released this statement: "We are delighted to hear that Mayor Nutter will not impede our development on North Delaware Avenue and is willing to work with us to get a casino open as soon as possible." But Carlin said SugarHouse will continue to seek a "special master" from the state Supreme Court to mediate development disputes with the city.
Wait, no traffic study? No neighborhood input? No design review? HELLO SUGARHOUSE IN FISHTOWN!— PhillyS1980- Home for sale in Fishtown: Beautiful three-story 19th century brick rowhome, back yard, new roof, located just blocks from a giant slots parlor.— Riverwards
- I'd like to sell my house too...wash my hands of the neighborhood. Any of you pro-casino suckers wanna buy it?— rbpeeple
- Wow. That's big news. Yes, the city refused to issue permits, and Nutter is now saying he has authorized the respective bodies to issue those permits. That's fairly huge news.— CleanupPhilly
- How many sf and how much do you want? You won't have any trouble selling your house at a profit. Wait until the casino is open, and you'll get a lot more. Saying that it's too hard to live next to a casino is a personal decision, but it's like saying you don't want to live next to the Kimmel Center, because of traffic, or Rittenhouse Square or Olde City because of the bars and restaurants being open late. Sure, that's valid, but your house is going to be MORE valuable, not less. Plenty of people want to live right there in the thick of things. That's why houses in CC are so expensive.— CleanupPhilly
- Seriously, big huge hairy news.— CleanupPhilly
- I'm seeing that Nutter gets things done like giving birth in the back of a cab. He waits until the last minute until the baby won't wait any longer.— CleanupPhilly
Comment removed.- It is important to note that Philadelphia has a high wage tax. If the casinos get put in, it will generate revenue for the city and for the state. Rendell said that if the casinos are not in Philadelphia, wage tax reductions may be cut. I would like to see the casinos to be put in a good location. If they are, the wage tax would go down(or maybe they could even eliminate it!) more people would move into the city, and spend money at all of the good restaurants the city has to offer.— daveg3
- Comment removed.
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Ahh Lefty Crusher, your screen name shows Fact's pathetic support base attitude. Nice to see Fact and Maggie-O profit from selling out the neighborhood.- Comment removed.
- Does he think everyone including the governor is an idiot? He overturned prior decisions including revoking Sugar House's license and going to court over it - and now because he presented a big stupid prop, the past 15 months of delay don't count? And forcing Foxwoods to pick a different site and apply to the state for license they've already received is not delaying them? Aren't people tired of him treating us like we're morons?— anodyne
- Hopefully non-union contractors will be building the new casinos.
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David Gambacorta spent a small eternity writing about cops, drug dealers and serial killers. Now he’s writing about power and politics – which sometimes reminds him of the old crime beat. He joined the Daily News in 2005. And yes, he knows you’re not quite sure how to pronounce his last name. E-mail tips to gambacd@phillynews.com
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Catherine Lucey joined the Daily News in 2002 and has written about murderous drug gangs, political protesters and Harry Potter. After covering the 2007 mayoral election, she moved over to the City Hall bureau where she has been reporting on the Nutter administration.
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Jan Ransom, a native New Yorker, joined the Daily News in 2010 after graduating from Howard University. She has since written about the difficulty of filing police complaints, tax deadbeats and life after violent home invasions. She joined the Daily News City Hall Bureau in 2011 and has plunged headfirst into reporting on administration budget battles and City Council shenanigans.
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