Sugarhouse Casino begins construction
A large crowd gathered along the Delaware River in Philadelphia Thursday for the groundbreaking of the Sugarhouse Casino. But there was a big difference in those who stood on the site inside the fence, and those outside.
A large crowd gathered along the Delaware River in Philadelphia Thursday for the groundbreaking of the Sugarhouse Casino. But there was a big difference in those who stood on the site inside the fence, and those outside.
Listen:
[audio: 091008lfsugarhouse.mp3]
Dozens of anti-casino protesters gathered on the sidewalk outside the construction site.
“Hey Hey Ho Ho this casino’s got to go…”
Northern Liberties resident Stacey Harpster brought her infant daughter Orianna.
Harpster: It draws a certain clientele and a certain customer and with that can come other things and increased crime and there’s also the possibility of increased traffic and just – it’s more dangerous.
One by one, politicians and casino officials passed the protestors and drove in for the official groundbreaking.
…..including investor Neil Bluhm,
Bluhm: The vast majority of the area is in favor of this project. It’s going to create jobs, tremendous tax revenue for the Commonwealth and for the city.”
SugarHouse expects to open an Interim Casino in about 10 months.
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