Rendell says casinos stay; neighbors vow to fight on
Gov. Rendell yesterday declared the search for alternate casino sites in the city "over," urging neighbors to join in discussions about what happens when - not if - the slots parlors are built.
Gov. Rendell yesterday declared the search for alternate casino sites in the city "over," urging neighbors to join in discussions about what happens when - not if - the slots parlors are built.
In a letter to Gaetano Piccirilli, an activist in Bella Vista, Rendell wrote that he had no power to force Foxwoods Casino to move from its chosen site in Pennsport, or SugarHouse from its location in Fishtown and Northern Liberties.
Neighbors say the sites are too close to homes and will create unsolvable traffic problems, and Rendell had promised them that he would ask the casinos about moving.
The casinos responded that they would not.
"The commonwealth has no authority to require them to accept alternate sites," Rendell wrote. "Therefore, I must reluctantly inform you that the issue of re-siting is over."
He offered to meet with residents to discuss "other issues of casino development," including traffic, parking and crime.
The casinos welcomed the governor's letter.
"We appreciate the governor putting this issue to rest," said Maureen Garrity, Foxwoods spokeswoman. "It brings us one step closer to building our casino and generating thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in tax revenues for Philadelphia and the commonwealth."
"SugarHouse is thankful to the governor and is looking forward to getting our project under way," SugarHouse spokeswoman Leigh Whitaker said.
But neighbors yesterday refused to give up.
The governor's decision to finally stake a position will draw the battle lines more distinctly, said A.J. Thomson, a Fishtown resident.
Jethro Heiko and Daniel Hunter of the anti-casino group Casino Free Philadelphia wrote in a letter to Rendell: "We reject your declaration that you have no power over re-siting and consider it abandonment of your roles and responsibilities for which you were elected."
City Councilman Frank DiCicco, whose district includes both casino sites, said he was digging in his heels.
While the state Supreme Court has ruled that the city can't control where a casino is built, DiCicco said the city could hold up construction if the casinos didn't offer real solutions to traffic and other problems.
