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Any public support that still exists for the Foxwoods and SugarHouse casinos at their proposed locations in South Philadelphia and Fishtown, respectively, is running out faster than a slots player goes through a fistful of quarters.
Now the question is whether the governor is willing to use his considerable clout to help pry the Foxwoods and SugarHouse casinos off the city's traffic-clogged waterfront, which is targeted for a make-over as a walkable city neighborhood.
Acknowledging that "the political landscape has changed," Rendell is planning a meeting with slots-parlor license holders. That's a good start, even if the governor was a little too quick to downplay the prospects for new sites.
"Nobody should get too excited," Rendell said Friday. "The only way these casinos can be legally re-sited is if the casinos voluntarily agree."
Well, the effort certainly deserves more cheerleading than that. It warrants a sales pitch that appeals to the casino owners' better nature with something more forceful than just asking "pretty please."
There's no question it's significant that Evans and Fumo, both Democrats representing Philadelphia, described the two current sites as "untenable and contrary to the public interest." That was in a joint open letter sent to Rendell on Wednesday. They got the governor's attention, in particular, by threatening to block several other economic-development projects.
In also taking a skeptical view of slots on the river, Evans and Fumo joined Mayor Nutter, urban planning experts, and numerous civic leaders who say the big-box casinos simply don't belong along the Delaware.
The waterfront plan that Nutter embraced two weeks ago calls for urban-scale development that reconnects the city to the river with new streets, parks and a hiking trail. Given that enlightened scheme, it makes no sense to anchor that planned development with two slots parlors flanked by massive parking garages.
The casinos would be better located near Philadelphia International Airport, where there's room for such development and little neighborhood impact.
Despite Rendell's overture, Foxwoods and SugarHouse officials say they remain committed to building on the river sites that were licensed by the state Gaming Control Board more than 18 months ago.
Apparently, being able to run to the state Supreme Court whenever they need a friendly ruling has given the gambling entrepreneurs confidence that they'll get their way. Here's hoping they're misreading the prevailing political winds.
With Rendell, the chief proponent of casino gambling, finally saying it's time to talk about moving off the Delaware, the casino owners should hedge their bets by agreeing to surrender their river view.
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