Posted March 13, 200916 yr Casino plan fancies site on Toledo riverfront Article published March 12, 2009 Developers propose 4 facilities in Ohio By JIM PROVANCE BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU CHIEF COLUMBUS - If voters are ready to roll the dice on Las Vegas-style gambling, 44 acres of reclaimed former industrial land along Toledo's riverfront could become home to one of four Ohio casinos. Penn National Gaming, the owner of Toledo's Raceway Park, and Dan Gilbert, majority owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, yesterday submitted a proposed constitutional amendment to Attorney General Richard Cordray for casinos in Toledo, Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090312/NEWS16/903120356/-1/rss
March 13, 200916 yr Beyond the moral objections to allowing casinos in Ohio (which have been exhaustively discussed in the Ohio casino gaming discussion thread over in the City Discussion section), this new casino proposal has some legitimate interest. This "casino-as-urban-redevelopment" concept holds much more promise than 2008's "casino-in-a-cornfield" concept. I'm not familiar with the proposed Toledo site. Do you have any site maps or aerials that show this location?
March 14, 200916 yr The Cbus Public TV politics show mentioned that the Detroit Casino folks (Illich's) will likely back opposition to this plan because they see a Toledo casino as competition.
March 14, 200916 yr especially due to MI's peninsular nature, a toledo casino gives the rest of america the chance to gamble without driving that extra hour.
October 15, 200915 yr The pro-casino website - www.yesonissue3.com - has an aerial image of the proposed Toledo casino site. There is also a Toledo section on the website at http://www.yesonissue3.com/Toledo/. The aerial image comes from http://www.yesonissue3.com/Locations/ - which has aerial images of all four proposed locations in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo.
October 15, 200915 yr I don't understand, why is this casino being proposed for what is basically Rossford (though with great I-75 access), rather than someplace like Levis Square downtown?? It would be right across from the Fiberglas Tower, which should one of these days be repurposed as a hotel, right? http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Toledo,+Lucas,+Ohio&ll=41.649908,-83.53314&spn=0.006421,0.013937&t=h&z=17
October 16, 200915 yr Wow! the land owner there has seriously been pitching that property for years and years. If I remember right, he put a road in to try to lure some type of mixed use development, correct. Anyhow, totally bogus location. Of course, downtown is the best spot. If not there, on Main Street just outside of the "Docks" Developent at the corner of Main and Navarre (whatever the road that goes to Tony Packo's is).
October 16, 200915 yr I think North Toledo deserves this. Put it at the old North Towne Mall or even classier - Woodland Mall.
October 20, 200915 yr Wow! the land owner there has seriously been pitching that property for years and years. If I remember right, he put a road in to try to lure some type of mixed use development, correct. Anyhow, totally bogus location. Of course, downtown is the best spot. If not there, on Main Street just outside of the "Docks" Developent at the corner of Main and Navarre (whatever the road that goes to Tony Packo's is). There is a block-sized surface lot in the CBD bounded by Adams, Jefferson, Huron, and Superior. It should go there or on a surface lot in Uptown. Never heard of "Uptown". Where is it. Is it another name for Old West End.
October 20, 200915 yr Wow! the land owner there has seriously been pitching that property for years and years. If I remember right, he put a road in to try to lure some type of mixed use development, correct. Anyhow, totally bogus location. Of course, downtown is the best spot. If not there, on Main Street just outside of the "Docks" Developent at the corner of Main and Navarre (whatever the road that goes to Tony Packo's is). There is a block-sized surface lot in the CBD bounded by Adams, Jefferson, Huron, and Superior. It should go there or on a surface lot in Uptown. Never heard of "Uptown". Where is it. Is it another name for Old West End. Between Downtown and the Old West End:
October 20, 200915 yr I really don't think that location would do much for Toledo. I think an area that has so momentum presently would be the best spot for Toledo.
November 2, 200915 yr EPA clears Toledo casino site for development Article published October 29, 2009 BLADE STAFF COLUMBUS — State environmental officials said Thursday that the brownish-red substance leaking into the Maumee River from the proposed site of a Toledo casino does not pose an immediate health concern and again gave the landowner the thumbs-up for development. Dina Pierce, spokesman for the Ohio Department of Environmental Protection, said more in-depth testing on samples taken at the site on Sept. 24 found nothing surprising. "This is not the only site that has this issue," she said. "Where this is seeping is along the river bank. What is happening is that, as storm water or snow melt soaks into the ground, it goes through these old sand ponds and pulls out some contaminants, most of it metals. If you build on it and lay concrete or blacktop, you would prevent storm water from getting in and reduce if not eliminate a lot of the leaching," she said. The EPA had previously issued a covenant-not-to-sue to the property owner, Middletown-based River Road Developments, following a taxpayer-financed cleanup of the site off I-75 abutting Rossford. The 44-acre site was previously owned by Libbey-Owens-Ford and Pilkington North America, which used it for waste-sand ponds from glass-making operations. MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/article/20091029/NEWS16/910299967 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 7, 200915 yr Toledo casino will be built in 2 1/2 years, company says Article published November 05, 2009 By JIM PROVANCE and IGNAZIO MESSINA BLADE STAFF WRITERS Penn National Gaming vowed yesterday that a casino will rise on the banks of the Maumee River after voters broke a two-decade logjam to support Las Vegas-style gambling in Ohio. "We will have Hollywood Casino Toledo in two to two-and-a-half years," said Tim Wilmott, the Pennsylvania-based corporation's president. He made the statement as he stood with Mayor Carty Finkbeiner on the reclaimed former industrial site that is to be the home of Toledo's casino. The casino name fits with Penn's gambling brand already attached to many of its facilities in Indiana, Maine, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Mississippi, and Louisiana. It will also be attached to Penn's promised casino in Columbus. Toledo's casino, as specified in the voter-approved constitutional amendment, would be built on 44 riverfront acres in East Toledo between Rossford and I-75. Full story at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091105/NEWS16/911050350/0/FRONTPAGE
December 31, 200915 yr Penn National Gaming purchases site for Toledo casino Written by Kristen Rapin, Toledo Free Press Penn National Gaming, Inc. announced Dec. 30 that it purchased 44-acres of land at 1968 Miami St. for the proposed Hollywood Casino Toledo. “Closing on the property moves us a major step closer to making Hollywood Casino Toledo a reality,” said Eric Schippers, senior vice president of Penn National. The proposed casino will cost $250 million and is expected to open in the second half of 2012. Full story at http://www.toledofreepress.com/2009/12/30/penn-national-gaming-purchases-site-for-toledo-casino/
May 6, 201015 yr Catching up on two older articles about the Toledo casino project. Toledo touts 2012 arrival to attract more conventions Monday, February 1, 2010 By Robert Vitale THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH TOLEDO -- In a city that's fiercely proud of its art museum, zoo and Mud Hens, leaders have squeezed a new picture onto the tourism brochures. Toledo's casino won't open until late 2012 -- ground won't be broken until late this year -- but it's already part of the pitch to convention organizers and business-meeting planners. Full article: http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/02/01/copy/casino_cities.ART_ART_02-01-10_A1_FAGFATI.html?adsec=politics&sid=101
May 6, 201015 yr Toledo casino owner commits funds to promote local tourism Article published February 04, 2010 BLADE STAFF Casino operator-owner Penn National Gaming Inc., the company that plans to build a casino in Toledo by 2012, yesterday said it has pledged to provide $300,000 over 10 years to promote local tourism. It will provide nearly $90,000 of the amount almost immediately. Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken announced the contribution, which will be given to Destination Toledo Inc., formerly the Greater Toledo Convention and Visitors Bureau. Dave Nolan, president of Destination Toledo, said Penn National told him the organization would receive the $90,000 this month and an average of about $30,000 annually from 2013 through 2020. The money will be added to the local tourism agency's annual promotion budget, which is about $600,000. Full article: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100204/NEWS16/2040371/-1/NEWS
May 6, 201015 yr And the Toledo casino has a website now. Although with very little content, as of this posting: http://www.hollywoodcasino-toledo.com/
June 1, 201015 yr Casino Time Tuesday, May 25, 2010, 12:10 AM EDT Laura Emerson FOX Toledo News anchor TOLEDO, Ohio (WUPW) - Toledo's Hollywood-themed casino will be built just off the I-75 Miami Street exit along the Maumee River on a piece of land that's in East Toledo, but right next to the Rossford city limits. FOX Toledo News would love to show you an artist's rendering of what the casino will look like, but there isn't one yet. It's still in the design phase. But depending on the speed of licensing and putting together the gaming commission to regulate the casinos, groundbreaking could begin as soon as July. If Penn National Gaming gets started that soon, they said Toledo's casino could be the first of the four Ohio casinos to open, which could be a real bonus for drawing attention and customers. Here's what FOX Toledo does know about Toledo's casino. It'll be a one-story structure, about 200,000-square feet, with slots and table games, and probably a heated outdoor smoking area with some shelter (since Ohio law prohibits smoking inside). The Hollywood-themed casino will have restaurants, but no hotel. MORE: http://www.foxtoledo.com/dpp/news/local/Casino-Time-le
June 18, 201014 yr Very interesting. You would think that at least one of the surface lots shown on the site plan could be eliminated. Maybe for an outdoor plaza that connects the casino interior to the river.
July 9, 201014 yr Renderings and site plans for the approved casino are included with this article. Below are direct links to the individual graphics. Commission OKs riverfront casino plan; work could start in 30 days Article published July 09, 2010 By TOM TROY BLADE POLITICS WRITER The developer of a planned Toledo casino got final major site-plan approval from the Toledo Plan Commission Thursday. Eric Schippers, senior vice president of Penn National Gaming Inc. of Wyomissing, Pa., told the commission that the company hopes to begin moving earth on the East Toledo site within a month. The $250 million facility is scheduled to open in early 2012 and could become the first casino in the state to be completed. - The Hollywood Casino shown in an architect's rendering. - This rendering gives an aerial view of the casino from the east. - Site plan of the casino, parking garage and parking lots with a potential hotel location Full article: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100709/NEWS16/7090344
July 15, 201014 yr $1M expected in casino-firm repayment Article published July 14, 2010 By IGNAZIO MESSINA BLADE STAFF WRITER Toledo City Council is expected to accept more than $1.03 million from Penn National Gaming Inc. as reimbursement for improvements the city made to land on the east side where the company wants to build a casino. Steve Herwat, Toledo deputy mayor of operations, told council more than half of that money should be used to keep the city's 2010 general fund in the black. The city must divide the money into two funds - $654,743 will go into Toledo's capital improvement budget and $383,870 will go into an account commonly known as "2-percent money." "We set aside 2 percent of our water and sewer revenue for a fund to support [water] infrastructure for development," Mr. Herwat said. Penn National, based in Wyomissing, Pa., plans to tear up a $1 million road, storm sewer line, and a public bicycle path, paid for by the city of Toledo, in order to build its planned casino and parking structure on former industrial riverfront land on Miami Street near I-75. Full article: http://www.toledoblade.com/article/20100714/NEWS16/7140340/0/ART12
July 30, 201014 yr East Toledo casino groundbreaking set for Aug. 12 Article published July 23, 2010 Toledo Blade Staff The Pennsylvania company planning to build Ohio's first casino on Toledo's east side announced Thursday that the building will begin taking shape next month. The Hollywood Casino Toledo groundbreaking ceremony is set for 11 a.m. Aug. 12, said Bob Tenenbaum, a spokesman for Penn National Gaming Inc. The $250 million gambling facility is scheduled to open in late 2012. A major site plan was approved by the Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions on July 8. The site plan shows a 75-foot high, 1.2-million square-foot parking garage with the equivalent of 5 1/2 decks. The whole property will have 4,388 parking spaces. The casino itself will have about 227,000 square feet on the main level, 218,000 square feet on the lower level, 114,000 square feet for a 260-space valet parking area, and 104,000 square feet for "employees and operations," according to the plans. The casino building will be 84 feet high, 450 wide, and 475 feet long, the plan states. Full article: http://www.toledoblade.com/article/20100723/NEWS16/7220345
November 1, 201014 yr Despite high hopes, casino's economic payoff not sure bet Article published October 28, 2010 By JC REINDL BLADE STAFF WRITER Enthusiasm ran high among local government and business leaders this summer as they joined executives from a commercial gaming company to celebrate the ground-breaking for Toledo's first casino. The ceremonial shovels shone as golden as the day's pronouncements of what the $250 million Hollywood Casino Toledo would do for the region's economy: thousands of jobs, millions in tax revenue, a wave of spendthrift tourists. Toledo Mayor Mike Bell deployed metaphor to thank officials from Penn National Gaming, Inc., of Wyomissing, Pa., for handing a "life preserver" to those aboard the city's sinking ship of an economy. Pete Gerken, president of the board of Lucas County commissioners, compared the casino's prospects to Toledo's $1.2 billion Jeep plant that opened in 2001 and the new $98.1 million downtown arena - "This is a game changer." Yet a close analysis of the economics of casino gambling, in addition to interviews with experts in the gaming field, suggest a more modest long-term economic benefit for the Toledo area. MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/article/20101028/NEWS16/10270447/0/SPORTS12
November 30, 201014 yr And the Toledo casino has a website now. Although with very little content, as of this posting: http://www.hollywoodcasino-toledo.com/ Still very little content at the Hollywood Casino website. But their Facebook page is keeping track of the construction progress. HOLLYWOOD CASINO FACEBOOK PAGE: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hollywood-Casino-Toledo/142199789128054
November 30, 201014 yr MORE CONSTRUCTION PHOTOS: http://www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=142199789128054 Pre-construction view of the site, casino site plan and two massing views of the casino on the site:
November 30, 201014 yr MORE CONSTRUCTION PHOTOS: http://www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=142199789128054
March 23, 201114 yr From the Hollywood Casino Toledo facebook page: More construction photos of the Hollywood Casino. The "casino" part of the casino complex (i.e. where the gambling takes place) is furthest away from the camera in these photos. The parking garage part of the casino complex is closest to the camera. Photo from 3/4/11
March 23, 201114 yr From the Hollywood Casino Toledo facebook page: More construction photos of the Hollywood Casino. The "casino" part of the casino complex (i.e. where the gambling takes place) is furthest away from the camera in these photos. The parking garage part of the casino complex is closest to the camera. Photo from 3/21/11
March 23, 201114 yr So basically Toledo will have a casino up and running before any of the other three even begin to rise. Good for Toledo. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
March 23, 201114 yr So basically Toledo will have a casino up and running before any of the other three even begin to rise. Good for Toledo. I would say Cleveland and Toledo should open about the same time.
March 23, 201114 yr Cleveland's new casino building is underconstruction? I just thought the temp building on Public Square was a go for now? "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
March 23, 201114 yr ^That's correct and I think that is what GoTribe is referring to. Odds are the "temporary" casino in the Higbee Building will actually be part of the permanent building on Huron and, while clearly smaller, than the Toledo facility, it definitely will have more charm.
March 23, 201114 yr Oh, I don't doubt it. Typical Hollywood Casino box < Higbee Building but I was simply referring to a new casino structure (re: "even begin to rise"). But yeah, I can totally see the Higbee Building going casino probably even before Toledo. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
April 7, 201114 yr Toledo casino project rolling toward goals Costs, '12 opening seem like a solid bet BY JC REINDL, BLADE STAFF WRITER Published: 3/28/2011 Frugality is not a welcome virtue when it comes to building Ohio's first casinos. State law requires a minimum cost of $250 million for each of the four voter-approved gambling houses. The mandated spending, dubbed an "initial investment," is guiding the construction of Hollywood Casino Toledo, the stand-alone gaming complex taking shape off I-75 in East Toledo near the Rossford line. Owner and operator Penn National Gaming Inc., of Wyomissing, Pa., broke ground for the 24-hour riverfront casino in August. A company spokesman said last week that the project remains on schedule to open in the first half of 2012. The company says it is also on pace to spend the full $250 million, as everything from construction costs to furnishings to slot machines counts toward the total. READ MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2011/03/28/Toledo-casino-project-rolling-toward-goals.html
April 17, 201114 yr Groundbreaking was today. This mutha' might be done before some of the other ones even get started. Unfortunately, the renderings make it look like a rushed project...along the lines of "let's sh!t out a casino as quickly as possible before people realize how short-sighted our location, design, and land use plans have become." COMPLETELY agree with everything youve said about the casino plans. I already hate the place and its not even built yet. Like you said before, the place has no "spinoff potential". Its literally on a desolate strip of nothingness, some industry, along the river on Miami St. I get why its where its at. They practically have their own highway exit. That will be great for business as it will be easy to access, but beyond its accessibility for motorists, everything about this place is stupid. First off, a superficial complaint. I realize that Hollywood Casino is a chain but that name is so lame. When I hear the name HOLLYWOOD CASINO my brain automatically pictures a movie rental store thats about to fall prey to netflix. Can we say tacky? Hell something as cliche for the Toledo area as "Glass City Casino" kind of like Motor City in Detroit.....wouldve been preferable to me. The location is stupid as you mentioned. Theres nothing for it to even support, around it. This seems like its going to be a half a** version of Motor City Casino, when if anything, we should be aiming for something more along the lines of Greektown Casino. At least Greektown Casino draws people down to its NEIGHBORHOOD, where they spend money and patronize all of the restaurants and bars in immediate area. Its a mutual relationship. We could replicate that kind of relationship to some degree if the casino were somewhere Downtown. The location you mentioned between Adams and Jackson is good thinking. A casino could be a good anchor for attracting other development on this side of downtown. I think right at the corner of Main and Front St on the East Side wouldve been nice as well. It would have looked attractive at that corner. Then people would walk down Main St. to all the new restaurants and bars that would be possible there. It would also be nice if the McDonalds and Wendys properties could be acquired and redeveloped into large streetfront buildings, several stories high. Maybe as a compromise, McDs, and Wendys could be offered preferential space at a lower cost.......just so we can get the right type of style and development down there. Thats a vital corner. I also think something along the lines of what theyre doing with the Higbee Building at Tower City in Cleveland wouldve been nice for Toledo. We have plenty of great empty historical buildings throughout the downtown core, Warehouse District, and Uptown that could use the love. It wouldve worked out nice being around the Huntington Center. The casino where its at, is basically Rossford. Yes, I know its technically Toledo, but, please, come on.......its literally at the entrance to downtown Rossford. The only problem is I dont think Rossford will even benefit from it much. Downtown Rossford doenst really consist of anything that casino patrons would be interested in, besides maybe a gas station before getting back on the highway. I just think this casino was poorly planned all around. I really dislike it. And yes I will probably find my way into it when im up late on some random friday or saturday night. :oops:
June 8, 201114 yr Toledo’s casino betting to be 1st to open in Ohio Official: Hiring of 1,200 set to begin late this year BY TYREL LINKHORN BLADE STAFF WRITER The executive team for Toledo’s premier casino should be in place by the end of July and the hiring of an estimated 1,200 employees will follow late this year, the new general manager of Hollywood Casino Toledo said Monday. The Hollywood Casino Toledo will be ‘absolutely’ the first to open in the state as other cities wrangle with red tape and other issues tie up things in Cleveland and Cincinnati. Officials plan to open the venue by April, 2012. Richard St. Jean told reporters during his first day on the job that Hollywood Casino Toledo officials are committed to bringing both jobs and money to the city’s struggling economy and would begin ramping up a hiring initiative in the fourth quarter of this year. Penn National has been in discussions with Owens Community College about creating job-development programs to train workers for the various casino jobs, including table-game workers. CONTINUED ON BLADE SITE http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2011/06/07/Toledo-s-casino-betting-to-be-1st-to-open-in-Ohio-2.html
October 3, 201113 yr Rendering of Toledo's Hollywood Casino from their website: http://www.hollywoodcasinotoledo.com/ It looks like their previous facebook site has been closed and merged into their main website listed above. More renderings, plans and construction photos of the casino at http://www.hollywoodcasinotoledo.com/Photo%20Gallery%20Page
November 10, 201113 yr Toledo Casino Hiring; No Smokers Need Apply Ohio Allows Companies To Hire Only Non-Smokers POSTED: 4:09 pm EST November 9, 2011 TOLEDO, Ohio -- Operators of a new casino in Ohio say they won't hire smokers to work at gambling tables or elsewhere. Hollywood Casino in Toledo says it will ask applicants if they use any sort of tobacco product and screen for tobacco in their drug tests. The casino's human resources director said that operators are looking out for the health of their employees. State law in Ohio allows companies to hire only non-smokers. The casino in Toledo will prohibit smoking and is expected to open next year. Read more: http://www.wlwt.com/health/29728574/detail.html#ixzz1dKSL6qmZ
January 21, 201213 yr Toledo casino opening delayed until June The opening of Penn National Gaming Inc.’s Hollywood Casino Toledo is expected to be delayed for about two months, pushing the opening to June. The Casino Control Commission on Wednesday got an update from its consultant, who recommended delaying the casino’s opening to complete a licensing investigation. The opening of the Rock Ohio Caesars casino in Cleveland also is being delayed about two months. Penn National had planned to open the East Toledo casino in early April. MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2012/01/04/Toledo-casino-opening-delayed-until-June.html
January 21, 201213 yr New casino offers sneak peek Construction is on time, on budget Updated: Friday, 20 Jan 2012, 6:30 PM EST By Kevin Milliken, FOX Toledo News reporter Casino officials gave regional media a sneak peek at the gambling facility Friday, boasting that $300 million development is on time and on budget. Now only the Ohio Casino Control Commission is standing in the way of the Toledo casino's grand opening - the criminal background checks required to grant the facility an operator’s license. The exterior is 100 percent done. The facility is about 85 percent complete on the inside. MORE: http://www.foxtoledo.com/dpp/news/local/wupw-new-casino-offers-sneak-peek-km
January 21, 201213 yr More from the Toledo Blade: ARTICLE: Media get peek at Toledo casino SLIDESHOW: Hollywood Casino Construction Photos
January 22, 201213 yr Beautiful place. Kind of reminds you of "Back to the Future II" where the town is in ruins but there is this huge lavish gambling skyscraper lording over it all. awesome comment on the Blade site.
April 13, 201213 yr It's looking like the Toledo-built casino will be the second casino to open in Ohio. Cleveland's Horseshoe Casino is proposed to open first on May 14. While Toledo's Hollywood Casino would open second on May 29. Both casinos must be formally approved in early May by the Ohio Casino Control Commission for a license to operate. Toledo Blade: Hollywood Casino moving toward possible May 29 opening Toledo Blade: Odds are casino to open May 29 - Penn National to make final pitch for license earlier in month
April 13, 201213 yr The Blade also had an update on the casino construction in "Work at new casino is down to the details". The Hollywood Casino Toledo facebook page has some older construction photos. (The one below is from November 2011) And WTOL-TV had a piece about the slot machines arriving at the casino in "First slot machines arrive at Hollywood Casino".
May 11, 201213 yr Toledo's Hollywood Casino now has an official opening date: May 29 Toledo Blade: Toledo casino awarded license to operate ABC13 News: Toledo’s Hollywood Casino license approved
May 23, 201213 yr Exactly how far is the Hollywood Casino from Downtown Toledo? Is it in the city of Toledo or is this in East Toledo?
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