January 31: Projections concern SugarHouse | Building collapse lawyers seek gag order | Police Commissioner says no to Queen Lane station | Gas explosion, condominium fire
Happy Friday, Eyes on the Street! Warmer temperatures could bring a temporary reprieve from the frigid weather we’ve had.
SugarHouse Casino chairman Neil Bluhm flew from his office in Chicago to warn the state’s Gaming Control Board. After hearing the projections of how much gambling SugarHouse Casino would lose if a second casino opened in the city, Bluhm decided to testify before the board. Bluhm said if the projections prove true, SugarHouse property owners would be forced to refinance the site’s debt and would be left with a mess.
Defense lawyers working on this summer’s Center City building collapse case want a gag order imposed. The lawyers representing real estate investor Richard Basciano, the Salvation Army and others who were sued after the fatal collapse want to prevent further disclosure of testimony, documents and more from being exchanged pre-trial. Common Pleas Court Judge Mark I. Bernstein will hear the issue Monday.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey told Queen Lane residents that the Police Department will not open a mini-station in the neighborhood’s Queen Lane regional rail station. In addition to limited financial resources and personnel constraints, Ramsey said every neighborhood in Philadelphia would want one and the department already has enough concerns with its many dilapidated facilities.
A gas explosion in South Philly left two hurt and 13 displaced Thursday night. The explosion, on the 1800 block of South Bancroft Street, injured two Philadelphia Gas Works employees and started a fire in three of the rowhomes. Ten adults and three children have been evacuated.
Fire also broke out at a condominium in the Bustleton section of Northeast Philadelphia. The fire was reported mid-day Thursday in a fourth-story unit. It was under control within an hour and no one was injured.
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