Quantcast
Channel: Mickey Knows Philly » North Broad street
Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 2

Weighing in on Blatstein’s North Broad Street Casino

0
0

Bart Blatstein- the man behind the Piazza at Schimdt’s in NoLibs, has got big plans for the Inquirer Building at North Broad- A huge, hotel/casino/entertainment complex. Blatstein, who purchased the building last year, seems absolutely confident that this will happen. Even telling the Daily News that he “personally guarantees his project.” Obviously, legalized gambling is a hot button issue. In addition to the loss of the beautiful Inquirer Building (pictured right), a new casino in such a central location raises a number of issues:

  • Will the casino increase number of crimes in area?
  • Will thecasino increase number of gambling addicts in the area?
  • What effect will the casino have on local businesses?
  • Do casinos actually help the local economy/reduce unemployment rate?

While the concern over societal issues like crime are legit, most studies have shown that increases in petty crimes were small. Professor Denise von Herrmann, author of “The Big Gamble: The Politics of Lottery and Casino Expansion“, spent decades studying the impact of Riverboat Casinos along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, said that their was a very minor increase in crimes such as “someone stealing from an employer or family member to feed a gambling debt — but nothing dramatic”. We can also see anecdotally that the opening of Sugar House has had little effect, positive or negative, on the surrounding area’s crime rate. Regarding gambling addiction, Professor von Herrmann said “It’s like saying, if we open a bar, a bunch of people will develop alcoholism, or a McDonald’s and a bunch of people will develop obesity”.

But Professor von Herrman did go on to talk about the way a casino can alter the identity of a neighborhood. Considering the current state of North Broad, which, despite a rich history seems to just be now finding a new identity, this major development would permanently change its future. Depending on who you’re speaking with, it’s a good or a bad thing.

While casinos would bring new jobs to North Broad, both permanent and temporary, it would syphon revenue from other local businesses. Casino partons are less likely to leave the actual casino complex and spend their money at local businesses. Restaurants such as Stephen Starr’s Route 66 and Marc Vetri’s Osteria, both located a few blocks away at Broad and Mt. Vernon, plus smaller restaurants such as Llama’s tooth and music venue Union Transfer (both at 10th and Spring Garden) will most likely experience a decline in business. Marc Vetri, owner and executive chef of two restaurants just a few blocks from the proposed casino (Osteria and Alla Spina) has taken to Facebook, blasting Blatstein’s plan. Saying that “Its just a quick fix of revenue for a much deeper seeded problem.”

While I disagree that Casinos will contribute significantly to societal issues like crime and poverty, there’s no empirical evidence proving that the so called benefits of a casino actually exist. It can be easy to view casinos as a boogieman that will destroy the wholesome fabric of any neighborhood that gets in its way, I have yet to see a conclusive study that proves legalized gambling equals positive and sustained economic growth. While it may be possible to tax the revenue of the complex in such a way that Philadelphia might possibly benefit, until those hard numbers are presented, I am adamantly against what is a temporary solution to a much larger issue.


Filed under: Philadelphia Real Estate Tagged: Bart Blatstien, Bart Blatstien casino, Casino on North Broad street, North broad casino, North Broad street

Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 2

Latest Images

Trending Articles





Latest Images