April 6, 201015 yr Delphi site being prepped before casino vote Business First of Columbus - by Matt Burns Friday, April 2, 2010 The developer of Columbus’ casino isn’t waiting for the results of a May statewide vote to begin work on the prospective alternative site for the $400 million gaming facility. Wyomissing, Pa.-based casino operator Penn National Gaming Inc. said Friday that demolition work at the former Delphi Automotive Systems plant on the west side of Columbus is scheduled to begin Monday. Columbus contractor S.G. Lowendick and Sons Inc. is managing the demolition, the cost of which wasn’t disclosed. Full article: http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2010/03/29/daily39.html
April 7, 201015 yr Casino operator begins razing old Delphi plant Penn National Gaming confident that Ohio voters will OK new site Monday, April 5, 2010 - 9:58 PM By James Nash THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Demolition crews began taking down the abandoned auto factory on W. Broad Street as promoters of Issue 2 talked up their timetable of having a casino on the site by the end of 2012. Demolition crews hired by Penn National started tearing down the auto factory at 8 a.m. today, with demolition and cleanup scheduled to be finished by mid-August. The company's demolition consultant, Hull & Associates, could not say how much the work is expected to cost. Ohio voters will decide next month whether to change the site of the Columbus casino from an industrial area in the Arena District to the West Side. The casino developer, Penn National Gaming Inc., agreed to the move after pressure from Columbus business leaders who were concerned that the original site would detract from the Arena District. The new location needs approval from voters statewide, as the original site was written into the Ohio Constitution. The ballot measure has no organized opposition. Full article: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/04/05/casino-operator-clearing-delphi-site.html?sid=101
April 8, 201015 yr Columbus, township still lack casino deal Wednesday, April 7, 2010 - 2:52 AM By James Nash THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Columbus and Franklin Township officials inched closer yesterday to an agreement on moving the proposed West Side casino inside city limits, but no deal was reached after a couple of hours of discussions. The two parties hope to have a deal before May 4, when Ohio voters decide whether to move the Columbus casino from the Arena District to an old factory site on W. Broad Street. The location is in Franklin Township, but Columbus plans to annex it before the casino opens in late 2012. The two jurisdictions are trying to work out how to split the estimated $8 million a year in local casino taxes. Other issues include police and fire service and traffic circulation around the 123-acre casino site. Full article: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/04/07/columbus-township-still-lack-casino-deal.html?sid=101
April 9, 201015 yr Ground rules would ban free booze, 24-hour bars at Ohio casinos Thursday, April 8, 2010 - 12:10 PM By Jim Siegel THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH The four new casinos in Ohio would not be granted 24-hour liquor permits, nor would they be able to offer complementary alcoholic drinks to players, under the set of ground rules that House Democrats plan to introduce within the next two weeks. The casino developers, Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert and Penn National Gaming, have pushed for a new 24-hour liquor license. But under the House plan - which also would need approval from Senate Republicans - the casinos will be restricted to the liquor licenses that exist in current law. Under the casino constitutional amendment approved by voters in November, the legislature is supposed to have a bill passed and signed by early June that would set up licensing standards and create a casino control commission to oversee operations of the casinos in Toledo, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus. Full article: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/04/08/casino-rules.html?sid=101 And an expanded later edition article on the same subject in today's Dispatch: Legislators likely to bar 24-hour casino drinking
April 15, 201015 yr Pitch for Issue 2 ready to hit state airwaves Business First of Columbus - by Jeff Bell Friday, April 9, 2010 The volume is about to be turned up on the campaign to convince Ohioans that a former auto plant on Columbus’ down-on-its-luck west side is a better place for a casino than the high-rolling Arena District. The group Vote Yes on Issue 2 plans to start running television ads across the state in mid-April as it tries to educate voters about the casino issue on the May 4 ballot, said Bob Tenenbaum, a spokesman for the campaign. The message, Tenenbaum said, is that Issue 2 simply allows an address change for the planned Columbus casino from the Arena District to the former Delphi Automotive Systems site and will not change casinos being developed in Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo. Campaign ads also will promote that the passage of Issue 2 would allow a vacant factory site to be redeveloped as a business that will put people to work and create tax revenue for municipal governments and school districts. “Jobs and tax revenue was the message that really convinced people to vote for Issue 3,” Tenenbaum said, referring to the casino ballot measure that Ohio voters approved in November 2009. Issue 3 won by a margin of 53 percent to 47 percent statewide, but it was defeated in Central Ohio, due in part to concerns a casino would hurt development in the Arena District. Issue 2 supporters claim the casino would be better for the economically depressed area around the Delphi property and Westland Mall. Because the Arena District location was specified in Issue 3’s constitutional amendment, another statewide vote is required to move the site. Full article: http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2010/04/12/story4.html
April 19, 201015 yr Confident in voters, Penn National razes Delphi plant A proposed casino will be built on the West Side site if voters approve Issue 2; city leaders say good riddance to the structure either way BY GARTH BISHOP, COLUMBUS LOCAL NEWS Published: Monday, April 12, 2010 - 4:42 PM EDT It's still three weeks before voters decide Issue 2, but casino company Penn National Gaming is confident enough in the issue's prospects to begin demolishing the building occupying the casino's anticipated site. Demolition of the closed-down Delphi plant on the West Side began April 5. Issue 2 is a constitutional amendment that, if approved, will move the site of a Columbus casino from a property in the Arena District -- the site designated when voters approved four casinos across the state in November -- to the Delphi site off Georgesville Road. Penn National agreed to switch its planned site following a campaign by city leaders and community members, but in order for that to happen, Issue 2 must pass in May. The company decided to begin demolition prior to the passage of Issue 2 due to a desire to get work on the site under way as early as possible and a confidence that the ballot issue will pass, said Bob Tenenbaum, the company's local spokesman. FULL ARTICLE: http://www.columbuslocalnews.com/articles/2010/04/13/bexley_news/news/beallcasin_20100412_1138am_2.txt
April 19, 201015 yr It will be interesting to see what happens to the Lincoln Park/Wingate/Oakbrook Manor housing project. My guess is that it will be sold to investors. At least the portion of it that fronts the casino. What an urban planning disaster. That place should have been razed a long time ago.
April 22, 201015 yr It will be interesting to see what happens to the Lincoln Park/Wingate/Oakbrook Manor housing project. My guess is that it will be sold to investors. At least the portion of it that fronts the casino. What an urban planning disaster. That place should have been razed a long time ago. That seems likely. There's already some real estate speculation occurring in the area (see the previous articles). If the May vote allows the Columbus casino to move to the Delphi site, then that speculation by real estate investors should only increase.
April 22, 201015 yr Casino wins three more votes Posted by Barbara Carmen, county reporter on April 20, 2010 - 11:09 AM Columbus Dispatch Blog Franklin County commissioners cast a symbolic vote this morning for Issue 2, urging Ohio voters to let Columbus move its future casino from the Arena District to the West Side. "Jobs, jobs, jobs," Commissioner Marilyn Brown said, explaining why she backs the May 4 issue. "It's not about gambling; that was decided already. It's about economic development." The proposed 123-acre site is expected to spur development of restaurants, shops and hotels in the new "Weston" community. Full blog entry: http://blog.dispatch.com/thecity/2010/04/casino_wins_three_more_votes.shtml
April 29, 201015 yr Deal annexes casino into city; Franklin Township gets $67M Tentative agreement depends on Issue 2's passage Tuesday Thursday, April 29, 2010 - 2:33 PM By Darrel Rowland and Robert Vitale THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Columbus will annex the potential West Side casino site and give Franklin Township $67 million over the next 50 years under a tentative agreement rolled out this afternoon. Under the proposed agreement, Columbus would annex no township land for the next 50 years in an area stretching roughly from I-270 east to Wilson Road, and from Fisher Road south to railroad tracks near the casino site at the former Delphi plant. And with property owners' approval, businesses in the township portion of the area would impose a 2.5 percent income tax that would be dedicated largely to economic-development projects within the zone. The trustees are expected to approve the measure tonight; City Council gets it Monday. It's all contingent on Ohio voters approving state Issue 2 on Tuesday, which would authorize moving the casino site from the Arena District to the old Delphi plant on Georgesville Road. Full article: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/04/29/casino-annexation-agreement.html?sid=101
May 1, 201015 yr Annexation pact clears Franklin Township Business First of Columbus - by Matt Burns Friday, April 30, 2010, 11:07am EDT An annexation and development deal tied to the relocation of Columbus’ casino is one step closer to reality after securing approval from Franklin Township trustees Thursday night. Township Chairman Tim Guyton told Columbus Business First Friday morning that a recently unveiled pact between Columbus and the 12,000-resident township passed in a 2-1 vote. Tenets of the densely structured pact include: • The creation of a so-called Joint Economic Development District north of the Delphi site, largely bounded by Fisher Road on the north, Wilson Road on the east and Interstate 270 on the west. • An agreement from property owners in the district to be levied Columbus’ 2.5 percent income tax. A 30 percent chunk of the proceeds will be split evenly by the city and township, while 70 percent will be set aside for development projects for the Broad Street corridor at large. • An income tax split on the casino site that calls for Columbus to take more than 70 percent of payroll and corporate income taxes once it’s up and running, with a 2 percent portion set aside in the first five years of operations for a so-called project pot for development efforts. The remaining portion of income taxes – roughly 25 percent – will go to the township in the first 50 years of the casino’s operation. Full article: http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2010/04/26/daily36.html
May 3, 201015 yr What if voters don't approve it? Don't know. Suppose it could keep going back to the polls until it passes - just like the pro-gaming forces did. But why would voters in other cities care where the Columbus casino is located? So the vote is tomorrow. What's the feeling in Columbus? I've seen a grand total of one tv ad in Cincinnati. It was against moving the location. I'm pretty sure that the few people here voting tomorrow will have no idea what this is about. "It's just fate, as usual, keeping its bargain and screwing us in the fine print..." - John Crichton
May 3, 201015 yr Well, there's been more than one TV ad here - all pro-Issue 2. The original casino issue in November lost in Central Ohio 55% to 45%. With the pro-Issue 2 push mostly focused in Central Ohio, its likely those numbers could turn around in favor of Issue 2 (i.e. approving the Columbus casino move) within Central Ohio. As for the rest of state, that's a real wild card. And it seems like the voters fall into three categories: People who voted for the casinos in November might vote for Issue 2 tomorrow - if they vote at all. People who voted against the casinos in November might vote against Issue 2 tomorrow - and might be more motivated to show up at the polls. And now there's even a third group that might be willing to vote against Issue 2 on "anti-government" grounds. So what it all seems to add up to is a likely 50-50 shot at Issue 2 passing statewide. Below are two weekend articles on tomorrow's vote from the Columbus Dispatch. The first one gives a Central Ohio perspective. The second gives a "rest of the state" perspective: West Siders want casino, will take taxes Issue 2 prompts shrugs in most of Ohio
May 3, 201015 yr I voted against the casinos for a variety of reasons...a very strong reason was I thought this was the wrong way to go about bringing them in and more "government imput" was necessary to get the best deal (similar to PA)...at this point I am resigned to them and simply hope we get a stellar building in downtown Cleveland with at least a little ancillary development. However, sorry Columbus, I am voting against Issue 2, even though it does not directly affect me, because I don't like how people are playing fast and loose with the Constitution...my hope is that its defeat with at least be a lesson to SOMEBODY (yeah, really have high hopes for that one). Just curious how many other's outside of Columbus are thinking the same way.
May 3, 201015 yr I think the time to send that message was when the original gambling amendment was passed. I don't see the benefit from blocking Columbus' planning will. In fact, I think there is an ulterior motive benefit to Cleveland and Cincy in helping Columbus pass Issue 2- I think Columbus is making a mistake in moving the casino location away from it's downtown, it's entertainment district, and especially its convention center. Allowing them to make this change hobbles them as a competitor for regional convention and tourism business.
May 3, 201015 yr Except if it goes down all it does is hurt Columbus. It forces it into a place that isn't welcome and takes it away from a much better brownfield development that could be a model for other places in the country.
May 3, 201015 yr I think the time to send that message was when the original gambling amendment was passed. That's 100% correct. Voting no on Tuesday will have no impact on the casinos in Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo. Any "message" trying to be sent regarding gambling, will not be heard. Except if it goes down all it does is hurt Columbus. It forces it into a place that isn't welcome and takes it away from a much better brownfield development that could be a model for other places in the country. That's also correct. Voting no on Tuesday would not stop gambling in Columbus. But, like dmerkow said, it might force a casino into a location Columbus does not want vs. a location Columbus does want. How is it a "model"? If the casino can locate at the former GM Fisher Body/Delphi plant location, it would redevelop an abandoned WWII era auto parts factory. A brownfield development that, until the casino came along, looked like it would remain a permanent brownfield site.
May 3, 201015 yr I've seen a grand total of one tv ad in Cincinnati. It was against moving the location. Who aired it? From what I've heard, there's no formal opposition to Issue 2. It's being supported by the City of Columbus, Franklin County, Penn National (the Casino Developer) and both Strickland and Kaisch. Are you use that TV ad was against?
May 3, 201015 yr However, sorry Columbus, I am voting against Issue 2, even though it does not directly affect me, because I don't like how people are playing fast and loose with the Constitution...my hope is that its defeat with at least be a lesson to SOMEBODY A less for WHO exactly?
May 3, 201015 yr In fact, I think there is an ulterior motive benefit to Cleveland and Cincy in helping Columbus pass Issue 2- I think Columbus is making a mistake in moving the casino location away from it's downtown, it's entertainment district, and especially its convention center. Allowing them to make this change hobbles them as a competitor for regional convention and tourism business. I would agree with you if what was being planned for Columbus was on par with what is bring proposed for Cincinnati or Cleveland. We've been given no renderings, and the few details we've been given are pretty grim: - The Columbus Casino will have no hotel - The Columbus Casino will be a one story building with attached parking deck - The Columbus Casino will be a part of the "Hollywood Casino" brand Personally, I don't think it will be much of a tourist destination. It sounds like a "West Virginia" style casino (no offense to West Virginia) and not something that will have an impact beyond the four walls of the Casino. It doesn't matter where it's placed... Penn National will make their money. People who visit aren't going to be spending money outside of it anyway, so it really wouldn't add anything to The Arena District Downtown. I'm voting <b>for</b> Issue 2 tomorrow because I still think that the original plan for that Downtown site of 1,000 new housing units is a better use of the land than this specific type of proposed casino. Columbus needs the Downtown housing more than it needs a generic "big box" style Casino.
May 4, 201015 yr ^Somewhat missed the point of my post...not trying to send a message about casinos or gambling or for that matter the original casino issue passed in November (even though I did not approve of the ballot measure and how it was formulated as I mentioned)...trying to send a message to the good old boys that they should not treat the Ohio Constitution, no matter what the issue is, like the Hooterville municipal code. Quite frankly, I am only one vote, and certainly nobody will know why I am voting no, but like always I will vote my conscious.
May 4, 201015 yr How is it a "model"? If the casino can locate at the former GM Fisher Body/Delphi plant location, it would redevelop an abandoned WWII era auto parts factory. A brownfield development that, until the casino came along, looked like it would remain a permanent brownfield site. Redeveloping a brownfield site is a good thing, no argument there. But saying that something is going to be a model implies that it there is a new and untried element to the project, be it in the design, land use, remediation, financing, whatever. Maybe there is something new about this project, I just don't know what it is so I was asking.
May 4, 201015 yr I've seen a grand total of one tv ad in Cincinnati. It was against moving the location. Who aired it? From what I've heard, there's no formal opposition to Issue 2. It's being supported by the City of Columbus, Franklin County, Penn National (the Casino Developer) and both Strickland and Kaisch. Are you sure that TV ad was against? I was wondering the same thing.
May 4, 201015 yr I'm voting <b>for</b> Issue 2 tomorrow because I still think that the original plan for that Downtown site of 1,000 new housing units is a better use of the land than this specific type of proposed casino. Columbus needs the Downtown housing more than it needs a generic "big box" style Casino. And that is why I'm voting for Issue 2 tomorrow too. The original Arena District site was eventually going to be redeveloped with or without any casino locating there. The west side Delphi site was destined to be a permanent brownfield site with an abandoned factory except for this casino redevelopment. Locating this state mandated casino at the Delphi site instead of the AD site is better urban planning. Which, incidentally, is one of the reasons that Urban Ohio exists. But if you want "to send a message to the good old boys", then let's just forget about better urban planning and vote no, right?
May 4, 201015 yr I've seen a grand total of one tv ad in Cincinnati. It was against moving the location. Who aired it? From what I've heard, there's no formal opposition to Issue 2. It's being supported by the City of Columbus, Franklin County, Penn National (the Casino Developer) and both Strickland and Kaisch. Are you sure that TV ad was against? I was wondering the same thing. Fairly certain it was against, but I only saw it once and really didn't pay that much attention. I did get a Yes on 2 flyer in the mail yesterday. In fact, I think there is an ulterior motive benefit to Cleveland and Cincy in helping Columbus pass Issue 2- I think Columbus is making a mistake in moving the casino location away from it's downtown, it's entertainment district, and especially its convention center. Allowing them to make this change hobbles them as a competitor for regional convention and tourism business. My sentiments as well. "It's just fate, as usual, keeping its bargain and screwing us in the fine print..." - John Crichton
May 5, 201015 yr Issue 2 - which allows the state-mandated casino in Columbus to change location - has passed. With 51% of the precincts reporting, Issue 2 is passing by a wide margin: Yes 658,956 69% (X) No 300,653 31% The Dispatch and NBC 4 have called the vote and Issue 2 supporters have declared victory.
May 5, 201015 yr Oh, I had no doubt it would pass. West side is a much better location. Westsiders have finally admitted to themselves that their side of town is dead. The writing is on the wall. Westsiders are all for it.
May 5, 201015 yr I live on the west side - I'm glad it passed. I've heard so many people around here who are sooooo excited about it. It's eliminating a lot of pessimism about the west side; especially from young people. Even if it doesn't directly spur a lot of development nearby; perception is everything. I'm glad the community is happy.
May 5, 201015 yr CASINO MOVES WEST Passage of Issue 2 means Columbus casino will be built on West Side, not in Arena District Wednesday, May 5, 2010 - 2:54 AM By James Nash and Mark Niquette The Columbus Dispatch Goodbye, Arena District. Hello, West Side. By a whopping margin, Ohio voters agreed yesterday to move the site of the Columbus casino from its original location on W. Nationwide Boulevard to an economically struggling area 6 miles to the west. Issue 2 was passing with 69 percent of the vote. It needed a majority statewide because, like the 2009 ballot measure that legalized casinos in four cities, it amends the Ohio Constitution. The casino-relocation measure was approved in Franklin County with 82 percent of the vote unofficially. Supporters of the move said a 24-hour casino would detract from the atmosphere of the Arena District and possibly harm property values there. They suggested that the West Side, with high unemployment, an abundance of land and easy freeway access, would be a more suitable location. Penn National Gaming Inc. will sell the Arena District site and build its Columbus casino on the site of a former auto factory near the Westland Mall. Columbus plans to annex the land from Franklin Township as part of a revenue-sharing agreement completed this week. The $400 million gambling house is scheduled to open in late 2012. Full article: http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/05/05/copy/casino-moves-west.html?adsec=politics&sid=101
May 5, 201015 yr Once again, I'm voting <b>for</b> Issue 2 tomorrow because I still think that the original plan for that Downtown site of 1,000 new housing units is a better use of the land than this specific type of proposed casino. Columbus needs the Downtown housing more than it needs a generic "big box" style Casino. And that is why I'm voting for Issue 2 tomorrow too. The original Arena District site was eventually going to be redeveloped with or without any casino locating there. The west side Delphi site was destined to be a permanent brownfield site with an abandoned factory except for this casino redevelopment. Locating this state mandated casino at the Delphi site instead of the AD site is better urban planning. And I agree with David. For better or worse, the proposed casino will be a much needed economic shot in the arm for the west side. But I'm sure we'll hear from our friends in the other 2C's about how terrible this will be and what a mistake this will be. :roll:
May 5, 201015 yr I'm sure we'll hear from our friends in the other 2C's about how terrible this will be and what a mistake this will be. :roll: Perhaps not. I agree with Walker about why this move made sense. While I frown on "family friendly" motivations in a state that already trends too old and too staid, the Delphi location is as good as any in Columbus for a casino of this type. If Cleveland's were getting a prime downtown location, instead of a steep embankment that's never been developed, we'd all be upset about its inappropriate suburban look. Columbus has addressed this issue in a different way, but both cities have addressed it well.
May 5, 201015 yr But I'm sure we'll hear from our friends in the other 2C's about how terrible this will be and what a mistake this will be. :roll: :behind:
May 5, 201015 yr I think many Central Ohioans see the "family friendly" arguement as a bit of a red herring. But many Arena District residents and businesses did see a 24-hour casino as incompatible. And city and business officials didn't think a casino was necessary to redevelop the original Arena District location. I would agree with that. Basically, Columbus had zero say in the original AD location. That original location was forced upon us. So Columbus officials stood up to the casino developers and got them to agree to this move to the west side. If Cincinnati, Cleveland and Toledo are okay with their casino locations - that's great. But Columbus was not - and we did something about it. For me it comes down to this planning choice: Choice #1: Casino builds in Arena District; is never supported or embraced by the community and becomes an incompatible eyesore next to an otherwise successful part of the city. The abandoned Delphi plant is never redeveloped and the west side continues to decay. Choice #2: The original Arena District location is redeveloped with the previously proposed mixed-use/resdential project. The Casino builds on the abandoned Delphi property; is supported and embraced by the community; and is a successful keystone to a west side revitalization. I'll choose choice #2.
May 5, 201015 yr But I'm sure we'll hear from our friends in the other 2C's about how terrible this will be and what a mistake this will be. :roll: :behind: Touche'. But I still think a west side casino will be better for Columbus. :-D
May 5, 201015 yr I think many Central Ohioans see the "family friendly" arguement as a bit of a red herring. But many Arena District residents and businesses did see a 24-hour casino as incompatible. And city and business officials didn't think a casino was necessary to redevelop the original Arena District location. I would agree with that. Basically, Columbus had zero say in the original AD location. That original location was forced upon us. So Columbus officials stood up to the casino developers and got them to agree to this move to the west side. If Cincinnati, Cleveland and Toledo are okay with their casino locations - that's great. But Columbus was not - and we did something about it. For me it comes down to this planning choice: Choice #1: Casino builds in Arena District; is never supported or embraced by the community and becomes an incompatible eyesore next to an otherwise successful part of the city. The abandoned Delphi plant is never redeveloped and the west side continues to decay. Choice #2: The original Arena District location is redeveloped with the previously proposed mixed-use/resdential project. The Casino builds on the abandoned Delphi property; is supported and embraced by the community; and is a successful keystone to a west side revitalization. I'll choose choice #2. I was pointing out that there is likely a significant opportunity cost for Columbus in choosing option #2. That cost is a likely competitive disadvantage compared to the other 2C's for convention and tourism business. The relative valuation of those options probably depends on one's perception of what the quality of the casino is likely to be. Hollywood Casino isn't the nicest, but I think it might be a bit of a stretch to say it would be an eyesore. At any rate, Columbus got what it wanted, and for that I'm plenty happy.
May 5, 201015 yr The key reason for the change was that Cbus sees the Arena District as having a major residential component (especially at the proposed casino location). The casino would have absolutely ended any possibility of that area having a vibrant long-term residential component.
May 5, 201015 yr Now if they would just implement an urban commercial overlay to mandate urban-style development as they have on other streets...
May 6, 201015 yr At first, I was upset that Columbus didn't want the casino in AD because I thought it would be the perfect venue to bring traffic downtown but after reading Walker's response, I'm glad I voted for Issue 2.
May 6, 201015 yr Casino plans sparks interest in Westland-area properties Business First of Columbus By Brent Wilder For Business First Friday, March 5, 2010 MORE: http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2010/03/08/focus1.html Some more Casino related real estate speculation deals on the West Side... Investor snaps up Trader Bud’s site Friday, March 12, 2010 By Brian R. Ball Business First of Columbus FULL ARTICLE: http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2010/03/15/newscolumn1.html Another follow-up on West-Side real estate speculation news in the wake of Tuesday's casino relocation approval. Neighbors see casino driving up land value Speculators counting on development boom Thursday, May 6, 2010 - 2:53 AM By Jim Weiker THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH A casino isn't supposed to open on the West Side until 2012, but the gambling has already begun. Property speculation, which started with the January proposal to move the casino to the site of a former auto-parts factory, took on new immediacy after Tuesday's vote approving the move. "Our property value just doubled," said Stephen Yee, owner of Ding Ho restaurant on Phillipi Road just north of the casino site. Yee said he paid $325,000 for the restaurant in early 2008 and has now received offers for more than $600,000 for the 6,000-square-foot property. "That was even before the vote," Yee said. "I had another person call me a month ago wondering if I'd be interested in selling the property, and I said no, Ding Ho restaurant will be here another 50 years. And he said, 'Don't you want to hear the offer?' And I said 'No, don't tempt me.'" Ohio voters agreed on Tuesday to allow Penn National Gaming to move the site of its Hollywood Casino Columbus from the Arena District to the former Delphi plant at Georgesville Road and W. Broad Street. The vote sent cheers through some real-estate agents and West Side property owners. Full article: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/05/06/neighbors-see-casino-driving-up-land-value.html?sid=101
May 17, 201015 yr Competition for the Columbus casino? I highly doubt it... Ohioans push plan for Indian casino A pair of Ohio investors has quietly joined forces with an Oklahoma-based American Indian tribe in hopes of opening a Delaware County casino that would be Ohio's first. A Cincinnati-area landfill manager and a retired financial consultant have pitched to the Delaware Tribe of Indians the idea of building a casino near the junction of I-71 and Rts. 36/37 before voter-approved casinos open in Columbus and three other citie "It's just fate, as usual, keeping its bargain and screwing us in the fine print..." - John Crichton
May 18, 201015 yr Clock's ticking on casino opening: City, developer must hit several milestones to make 2012 deadline Above is a link to a recent Dispatch article on the west side casino. The casino, or as is described in the article "the $400 million temple of glitz near I-270 and W. Broad Street", still has many steps that need to be taken to open by 2012. Among those steps are finalizing the on-site development plans, which may or may not include a hotel. Other steps include finishing the property's annexation from Franklin Township to Columbus, the state legislature enacting statewide casino regulations, on-site environmental cleanup at the former GM/Delphi site and groundbreaking which is scheduled for later this year. Penn National opened a website - www.hollywoodcasinocolumbus.com - that includes links that potential contractors and suppliers can use to register. Construction is expected to require 3,500 workers.
May 20, 201015 yr Links to a couple of Columbus Dispatch articles on the state legislature churning through the proposed regulations that the Columbus casino, and the other three casinos in Ohio, would need to do business under. The first article is a report of the some proposed state regulations from yesterday. The second article is about some casino developer push-back to some of those regulations from today. Casino slots to pay out 85%: Ohio bills would ban smoking, free drinks, 2:30-5:30 a.m. booze Developers balking a bit at price tag for casinos
May 24, 201015 yr Community group to guide development around casino Sunday, May 23, 2010 - 1:02 AM By Carla Smith, ThisWeek Contributor An effort is under way to ensure that development is done the way area residents, businesses and government officials want it done when a Hollywood Casino is built on the former Delphi site at West Broad Street and Georgesville Road. Jim Schimmer, Franklin County economic development and planning director, told Prairie Township Trustees and residents at a May 19 trustees' meeting about how Westland area community members have come together in an effort to direct future development. Development and redevelopment are anticipated to happen quickly with the building of a new casino, he said. "The idea is to make certain that we control the land uses and make sure they are appropriate," Schimmer said. "Our concern is to get ahead of the development train." Schimmer said representatives of local businesses, governments, and community residents have come together to form Weston Development Partners. The group will develop a plan called the "Westland Area Interim Development Framework," guiding how the Westland area will take shape over the next several years. Full article: http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/west/stories/2010/05/22/Community-group-to-guide-development-around-casino.html?sid=104
June 15, 201014 yr Penn National confirms timeline, pledges local contracts Business First of Columbus - by Jeff Bell Friday, June 4, 2010 Speaking at a June 1 luncheon hosted by Commercial Real Estate Women Columbus, Penn National spokeswoman Karen Bailey said the company hopes to use Central Ohio vendors – from carpet suppliers to plumbers – to develop and build its Hollywood Casino over the next two years. Penn National hopes to open the 300,000-square-foot casino in the second half of 2012, Bailey said. It will rise at the former site of a Delphi plant near West Broad Street and Georgesville Road. The schedule calls for hiring a construction manager in the fourth quarter, followed by taking construction bids. That would allow the company to break ground next spring with 18 months of construction to follow. Bailey said Penn National hopes to unveil a site plan and design for the casino by late summer. The company has not decided if it will build a hotel on the 123-acre property. “We’re talking to the west side community about whether that’s in their long-term plan (for redeveloping the Westland Mall area),” she said. The company estimates 2,000 workers will be needed to run the casino. Bailey said Penn National plans to start hiring managers and hourly workers about six months before the casino opens. The company is steering job applicants and vendors to the casino’s website – www.hollywoodcasinocolumbus.com – for project information and registration. MORE: http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2010/06/07/story8.html
June 17, 201014 yr The key reason for the change was that Cbus sees the Arena District as having a major residential component (especially at the proposed casino location). The casino would have absolutely ended any possibility of that area having a vibrant long-term residential component. There's already plenty of Residential Development in the Arena District. Nationwide Realty alone, operates Arena Crossing, Burnham Square, North Bank Tower and Flats on Vine. It really had nothing to do with planning theory, rather, politics and corporate influence. The Casino developers knew what they were doing when they chose the site. They look at case studies, market analysis, the whole process. Nationwide and The Columbus Dispatch have realty subsidiaries which own most of the Arena District and want to maintain control over and expand it. The grassroots organization, "Stand Up Columbus", was essentially backed by both of these corporations. Very few people are aware of this because locals get their information from the Dispatch. Casinos work best in upscale areas that are already thriving; there's no precedence for a vibrant casino in a poverty-stricken or crime ridden area (i.e. west side by Westland Mall) which has actually provided a better quality of life for surrounding neighborhoods.
June 17, 201014 yr I've talked to a lot of business owners in the area surrounding Delphi. They all say they wouldn't be interested in selling their property; they just look forward to their own business thriving with the casino being built. I'd like to see Penn National buy Westland mall, raze it and build an upscale mini-mall that somewhat resembles a village. They do that and I'll be impressed. But the size of the plot of land they're already working with is so enormous. They won't even have a need for parking garages. I also don't like this emphasis on carefully controlling land uses nearby. That kind of inflexibility is not going to help their cause. I know Westsiders are thinking it's going to promote strip clubs and the like... well, it's ironic that Portland is wonderful, thriving city yet they happen to have the most strip clubs per capita.
June 19, 201014 yr Casinos work best in upscale areas that are already thriving; there's no precedence for a vibrant casino in a poverty-stricken or crime ridden area (i.e. west side by Westland Mall) which has actually provided a better quality of life for surrounding neighborhoods. There are plenty of casinos built in rural areas. Casinos are destinations, and people who want to visit them will seek them out no matter where they are located.
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