The $100 million entertainment complex that would replace the Spectrum in South Philadelphia is a promising idea for an under-used city landscape.
In fact, the proposal is such a good one that it prompts another: If there is going to be legalized gambling in Philadelphia, why not make the Foxwoods slots parlor part of the project?
The stadium-complex location is accessible to city and suburban residents. The infrastructure is already in place and provides good highway access and plenty of parking. There’s also access to public transportation.
A slots parlor seems like a natural fit for the existing and planned entertainment uses. The stadium location for Foxwoods would also end the current logjam that has delayed the project at the Center City site.
Foxwoods has proposed opening at the old Strawbridge’s department store at Eighth and Market Streets, but has yet to obtain a lease. The location faces fierce opposition from residents, and other hurdles.
By comparison, the stadium complex is an underused area that’s largely away from residential areas. Adding the slots parlor would provide another anchor attraction for the proposed bars and restaurants, especially when there are no games in town.
One of the investors in Foxwoods is Ed Snider, chairman of Comcast-Spectacor, which is developing the entertainment project at the stadium complex.
A similar idea was implemented in Pittsburgh, where a slots parlor next to the professional sports arenas is part of a lively entertainment zone.
The current plan in South Philadelphia, known as Philly Live!, calls for a $100 million entertainment center in the midst of the Wachovia Center, Citizens Bank Park, and Lincoln Financial Field. Much of the 350,000-square-foot venue would be built where the Spectrum is now located.
Comcast-Spectacor and the Cordish Co. want to create a two-block-long center of shops, restaurants, bars, and possibly a boutique hotel, similar to Baltimore’s thriving Power Plant Live! at the Inner Harbor.
Even in the current form, there are some questions to be addressed, including controlling the additional traffic and crowds, and ensuring that the area doesn’t turn into a destination for drunkenness and violence. (See below.)
Eagles fans are notoriously rowdy, thanks to long afternoons of boozing. The atmosphere at Phillies games has become noticeably more beer-fueled as well.
The fear is that building more bars around the stadiums can lead to more unruly behavior, such as the parking-lot fight involving drunken fans tossed from the Phillies game Saturday, which resulted in a 22-year-old Lansdale man’s beating death.
That’s not a reason to stop the project, but it’s an issue that needs to be confronted to ensure a friendly atmosphere for the broader majority of fans.
The existing complex near South Broad Street and Pattison Avenue is functional for fans of the Phillies, Eagles, and Flyers, but otherwise the area is barren and underused.
Philadelphia Live! aims to make the locale a vibrant, year-round destination. A slots parlor could be a win-win.
That's actually a half decent idea.— veritas1325- I support this idea.— CleanupPhilly
- Been saying this since Casinos were first proposed. Casinos go in parking lots not on waterfronts.— phillyylliph
- Maybe putting a casino there would justify bars/restuarants in the complex ,would have 12 months of business ..might actually pay 3/4.00 for a beer instead of 6.75 ..Control drinking? Make you prepay and give 2 tickets for 2 drinks/beers during pre game time.— greek9
Comment removed.- Makes total sense, why has it taken over 3 yrs for these "developers" to come up w/ this idea when the average Philadelphian could have told them this location from Day 1.— cogs_bars
Oh yea, this will work out!- Comment removed.
- There's no way this Philly Live can survive without a casino and I've been saying that since the project was first announced. However it is an absolute crime to give the gambling monopoly to Ed Snider and crew. It is so unfair and un-American I'd have to wonder if Eddie really is a fan of good ole Ayn Rand. I'm all for legaizing gambling, but give it to the free market and let every mom and pop who wants them to have slot machines. Instead they give these exclusive licenses to print money to their cronies.
- Both casinos should have been put down at the Navy Yard where sports fans would have easy access after games and everyone else could get there easily right off of 95. The problem with that idea and this one is it doesn't pass the radius limit from Harrah's in Chester.— Malcolm65
- Ha ha ha! (This was the plan all along!) Wait'll youse see the classy joint I've got planned fer yer crummy city. It'll even have free childcare so youse can drop yer kids off and go gamble away the grocery money. Enjoy the new "industry" I'll be bringin to your town. Ha ha ha ! Remember- the House always WINS! Enjoy your "tax revenue" Oh yeah, almost forgot- I'm legally required to add the following: if you or someone you know has a gambling problem contact the Council on Compulsive Gambling of PA Helpline at 1-800-848-1880 Or PA DOH 24hr Gambling Addiction Hotline at 1-877-565-2112. (ha hah ha)— mobbed up casino owner
- PLEASE NO. have any of you been in these types of casinos? it's bus drivers and union guys etc. breaking their necks to give away their paychecks. it is awfull and one of the worst things to happen to the our city.— stanley
- Chester is in a different county so it doesn't matter— jtap1981
- The new Philly Live site where the Spectrum stands is a natural for the new Foxwoods casino. Better parking, access, appropriate location, etc. versus 8th and Market too close to Chinatown, Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, too congested, etc...... Foxwoods and Philly Live - perfect together.— Liberty4All
- I'm not a fan of casinos...and the net economic effect is unproven (when factoring policing costs, crime, bankruptcy, infrastructure, traffic, drunk driving, property crime, etc)....but this location is FAR better than putting a casino on the waterfront. While you're at it - send SugarHouse to the old overseas airport terminal - and the waterfront can be deeloped with mixed uses as per the Penn Praxis plan.— rbpeeple
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