Foxwoods Zoning Legislation Coming In Council Tomorrow

City Councilman Frank DiCicco plans to introduce legislation tomorrow morning to rezone the former Strawbridge & Clothier department store at 8th and Market streets as a "commercial entertainment district," the first step in allowing Foxwoods to open a casino there.  DiCicco, speaking with Mayor Nutter and Foxwoods officials this afternoon in City Hall said he believed that location would have less impact on surrounding neighborhoods than the casino investors' first two choices, Columbus Boulevard and Reed Street in South Philly and the Gallery at 11th and Market streets.

That did not seem to satisfy about 25 anti-casino activists, mostly from nearby Chinatown, who waved signs and banners during the announcement.  DiCicco pointed out that most of those activists were not involved in the casino debate until Foxwoods, approved by the state for South Philly in December 2006, declared last fall that it was looking to relocate to Market Street.  The casino, if it wins approval for the move from the state Gaming Control Board, would open early next year on the second and third floors of the former department store, above what the landlord for the building called first-floor "signature restaurants and nice retail."

DiCicco said a public hearing on the zoning legislation will be held in Council on May 7.  The City Planning Commission is also expected to consider the legislation next Tuesday and then hold a hearing on the casino project's plan of development in late May or early June.

Ellen Somekawa, executive director of Asian Americans United, complained during the announcement that Foxwoods and the city released almost no information on the project when it was planned for the Gallery. She suggested DiCicco was letting Foxwoods open anywhere it pleased.  He challenged that, noting that the city has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees since 2006 while fighting the state-approved casino locations.

"We have lost 17 out of 17 cases in front of the state Supreme Court," DiCicco said.  "The end result may not be satisfactory to everyone. But it is the best option, I believe, that we have on the table today."