We got more details this afternoon about Foxwoods’ plan to build its casino in Center City. Foxwoods officials say its casino would be built above the Gallery Mall on Market Street between 10th & 11th streets. Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Foxwoods officials spoke at a news conference at 1:00pm this afternoon at City Hall.

Governor Rendell stressed that the Gallery Mall site is not a done deal, and that it ultimately will have to be approved by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. and Foxwoods officials say if all goes well they hope to be open for business one-year after the permit process is completed. They did not speculate how long the various approvals could take.

City Councilman Frank DiCicco says the Gallery Mall, which houses SEPTA’s Market East commuter rail station, will be a good site because many casino patrons won’t have to drive to Foxwoods and because they can use public transportation.

Mayor Michael Nutter said he is happy that Foxwoods plans to move and that
the casino could be a catalyst to spur an economic revival for the Market Street retail corridor section from 6th street to Broad street.

I will upload video of today’s press conference in a few hours. It’s taking the computer a while to process that much video.