Philadelphia Official Says City Prefers Center City For 2nd Casino
By Pat Loeb
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- City officials weighed in today on the proposals for Philadelphia's second casino, at a Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board hearing in center city.
There was no favorite, but the center city locations seem to have the clear edge.
City commerce director Alan Greenberger began his presentation at the Convention Center by saying that none of the six proposals had flaws that would rule them out but all had concerns that needed to be addressed.
He then proceeded to rule out all three of the casinos proposed for the stadium area (see related stories).
"It's our opinion that the three proposals in South Philadelphia are less likely to induce further development and less likely to generate a new audience than the other three proposals," Greenberger told the panel.
Two of the city's favored proposals are in center city: one at the Gallery shopping mall on Market Street and one in the towering white former headquarters of the Inquirer on North Broad Street.
Greenberger says the center city locations would produce more jobs, more tax revenue, and were more likely to spur new development.
Greenberger was interrupted at one point by a group of protesters with very definite opinions about a new casino for Philadelphia.
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"No casino! No matter where!" they chanted.
