Casinos

No planning and development issue has been as controversial in Philadelphia as the Commonwealth’s siting of two slots-only casinos on the Delaware riverfront in December 2006. When Pennsylvania legalized slots gaming in 2004, Mayor Street convened a task force to review potential casino sites and submit recommendations to the state. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board ended up placing SugarHouse Casino at the former Jack Frost Refinery site at Delaware Avenue and Shackamaxon Street in Fishtown, and Foxwoods Casino at a riverfront site at Columbus Boulevard and Reed Street, neither of which were the city’s recommendations. SugarHouse opened in 2010.

Philadelphia is the largest city in the country with legalized gaming, and its casino is the nearest to residential neighborhoods in the country. By the same token, casinos will pay millions of dollars in taxes to the city every year, which can fund vital city services. What has followed since 2006 has been a flurry of lawsuits, countersuits, license extensions, protests, and redesigns, all while the casino developers slowly continue their march through the permitting process.

Planning and zoning roundup, SEPTA green grants, Philly’s ethnic eats

Planning and zoning roundup, SEPTA green grants, Philly’s ethnic eats
  • Planning Commission OKs Chinatown tower, SugarHouse expansion
  • City Council repeals Fishtown music venue rezoning, and considers Germantown Avenue overlay changes to allow Dollar Tree.
  • SETPA gets $6.44 million for hybrid buses and energy storage on the El
  • Why is Philly’s restaurant scene so diverse?
    • read more

    This Just In: Public Meetings, PHA auctions, Shane’s Candy

    This Just In: Public Meetings, PHA auctions, Shane’s Candy

    Where’s PlanPhilly this week? Stay tuned for coverage of the PHA vacant property auction, zoning code reform, rezonings along the Delaware and Germantown Avenue, SugarHouse’s expansion, and more.

    read more

    Tensions high between City and Occupy, Sheriff’s Office’s investigated, CDAG objects to SugarHouse expansion, Buddhist temple’s deed stolen

    Tensions high between City and Occupy, Sheriff’s Office’s investigated, CDAG objects to SugarHouse expansion, Buddhist temple’s deed stolen
  • Occupy Philly votes to stay at Dilworth, Nutter’s patience wears thin
  • City Controller report burns Sheriff’s Office for ethics violations in selling distressed properties
  • Central Delaware Advocacy Group objects to SugarHouse expansion scheme
  • South Philly Buddhist temple’s deed stolen
    • read more

    Rivage reimagined, new owners for Olympia, redevelopment on Chestnut Street, Mayfair playground rebuilt, Foxwoods denied

    Rivage reimagined, new owners for Olympia, redevelopment on Chestnut Street, Mayfair playground rebuilt, Foxwoods denied
  • Renewal schemes for Rivage site in East Falls
  • USS Olympia has four possible new owners
  • Stirrings at 1122-24 Chestnut Street
  • Mayfair rebuilds its playground
  • Foxwoods license appeal denied
    • read more

    Considering SugarHouse at “Year Won”

    Considering SugarHouse at “Year Won”

    SugarHouse turned one over the weekend, celebrating what it called “Year Won.” But was its first year really a winner? And, what about its future?

    read more

    The Buzz: Casinos | Callowhill NID | Cracked tower | North Broad lighting | Zoning Forum

    The Buzz: Casinos | Callowhill NID | Cracked tower | North Broad lighting | Zoning Forum
  • SugarHouse expansion
  • Another Philly-area casino?
  • No NID for Chinatown
  • City Hall crack
  • North Broad art lighting
  • Zoning forum recap
    • read more