Zoning approved for Foxwoods' Philadelphia casino plan

    Philadelphia City Council voted unanimously to approve zoning changes that could pave the way for a casino at 8th and Market Streets. Foxwoods Casino would still have several hoops to jump through before turning the former Strawbridge store into a slots parlor.

    Philadelphia City Council voted unanimously to approve zoning changes that could pave the way for a casino at 8th and Market Streets. Foxwoods Casino would still have several hoops to jump through before turning the former Strawbridge store into a slots parlor.

    Listen:
    [audio: 090611spcasino.mp3]

    The Foxwoods deal ran into a roadblock when one of the other tenants of the Strawbridge’s building opposed the slots parlor. Councilman Frank DiCicco reversed his decision to hold the bill until the landlord of the building struck a deal with Foxwoods.

    • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

    DiCicco said it was up to them to work it out, and that the vote was meant to send a message to potential creditors, that the city is behind the project.

    But the Councilman was heckled by several anti-casino activists, who were escorted out of Council chambers.

    Casino Free Philadelphia’s Jethro Heiko called the vote a fraud.

    Heiko: Planning is not guiding decisions on this, this is politics, this is corruption. It’s Governor Rendell and the casino industry and we think lenders should pause before they get involved in Philadelphia if they’re considering lending to these two casino proposals.

    Foxwoods still has to present a development plan to the city, and apply for a venue change with the state gaming board.

    WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

    Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

    Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal