Columbus: Hollywood Casino

May 23, 201114 yr

The casino developer and the City were scheduled to appear in Federal Court this morning as part of their ongoing annexation vs. water/sewer service dispute. But the Dispatch is now reporting that appearance was postponed in favor of behind the scene negotiations. Here is the update and the original article from the Dispatch:

UPDATE: Sides are negotiating in casino dispute

Developer wants city to supply water, sewer in annexation battle

Monday, May 23, 2011 - 03:08 AM

Updated: Monday, May 23, 2011 - 04:50 PM

By Doug Caruso, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

UPDATE: Who knows how it will end up, but lawyers involved in Penn National's lawsuit against Columbus and Franklin County have been meeting all day behind closed doors to discuss a possible settlement.

As Doug Caruso wrote in this morning's paper, Penn National's lawsuit was to start today. Penn wants the city to provide sewer and water service to its planned casino, but the company has balked at the city's requirement that it annex the site from Franklin Township.

The lawyers agreed at about 9 a.m. to take another hour to see if they could negotiate a solution. As of late this afternoon, those talks continue.

May 24, 201114 yr

Talks continuing between Penn National and the City. The Federal Court hearing postponed for another day.

Casino, city and county continue talking - More negotiations today; federal court hearing postponed

May 25, 201114 yr

Casino developers reach deal with city, county

Tuesday, May 24, 2011 - 05:00 PM

By Doug Caruso, The Columbus Dispatch

Casino developers have reached a deal with Columbus and Franklin County to end a battle that has held up construction of the $400 million project.

The main elements are:

Columbus will reimburse Penn National for $15 million for environmental cleanup and roadway improvements. The company had said it lost about $30 million when it agreed to abandon plans in the Arena District and move its development to W. Broad Street and Georgesville Road.

Columbus and Franklin County will help with permitting so the casino can open by late 2012.

Penn National will annex the site from Franklin Township to Columbus. Initial estimates of the tax revenue from the casino were that Columbus would receive $16 million a year if it were built outside the city or $24 million if were built in the city.

May 25, 201114 yr

More about the annexation - sewer/water service settlement from Business First. And a look a possible future dispute with Gov. Kasich.

City impasse settled, Penn National puts focus on Statehouse

Business First - by Jeff Bell

Date: Wednesday, May 25, 2011, 12:08pm EDT

Penn National Gaming Inc.’s battle to start cashing in on its Columbus casino will now move from City Hall to the Statehouse.

The Wyomissing, Pa.-based gaming company reached an out-of-court settlement Tuesday with the city of Columbus and Franklin County in its long-running dispute over connecting the casino property off West Broad Street to Columbus’ water and sewer system. The settlement kept the dispute from going to trial in U.S. District Court.

It also means Penn National will have a better shot of meeting its goal of opening its $400 million Hollywood Casino Columbus by the fourth quarter of 2012. Construction started recently at the former Delphi Automotive Systems plant site and is expected to take about 18 months.

May 25, 201114 yr

Also, in today's Dispatch, a look at the huge apartment development across Georgesville Road from the casino site.

OAKBROOK MANOR

Troubled apartment complex undergoes casino-driven renovation

Wednesday, May 25, 2011 - 03:07 AM

By Mark Ferenchik, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

The apartments have new floors and fresh paint. The clubhouse has exercise equipment, an indoor pool and a game room with a pool table and video games. It sounds like any suburban Columbus apartment complex, but this is Oakbrook Manor, the sprawling complex just west of where Penn National Gaming is to build its casino in western Franklin County.

It's where 10 people were killed in a 2004 arson that remains unsolved, and it has long epitomized the area's reputation as a blighted, crime-ridden neighborhood. Andrew Dansker, the managing director of Matrix Realty group, the New York-based company that owns the complex, insists that the former Wingate Villages is making a comeback. He promises that he's doing everything to make it successful, and he said he's spending millions to do so.

June 2, 201114 yr

Catching up on analysis of the casino annexation deal from a number of central ohio sources. First up, the Dispatch...

Several steps key to make casino deal stick

First up: meeting 3 contingencies before mid-June

Thursday, May 26, 2011

By Doug Caruso, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

It will be months before the settlement of the casino lawsuit that Penn National Gaming, Columbus and Franklin County reached on Tuesday is completed. Annexation of the casino site in western Franklin County, which Columbus demanded and Penn National tried to sidestep through its lawsuit, could take well into the fall or winter. Meanwhile, the city must determine where the $15 million that it will provide Penn National is coming from.

In the shorter term, three contingencies must be met by June 10, when U.S. District Judge Gregory Frost expects the parties to report back on finalization of the settlement. Here's a closer look at what could happen with the annexation, the money and the contingencies.

June 2, 201114 yr

Penn National played winning hand in tiff with city

Business First - by Jeff Bell

Date: Wednesday, May 25, 2011, 2:08pm EDT

Penn National Gaming Inc. came away with much of it wanted from the city considering the terms of a Tuesday out-of-court settlement that clears the way for construction of its Columbus casino. Not only did the company receive the water and sewer service it needs from the city for the $400 million casino project, it also got Columbus to chip in $15 million to pay for some of the environmental cleanup and road improvements at the complex’s site off West Broad Street.

The deal also includes a provision that will ensure Penn National is able to unload the Arena District property that was the original location for its casino. An unidentified buyer – would anyone be surprised if it’s Nationwide Realty Investors Ltd. given its stake in the Arena District? – has been lined up to pay $11 million for the site at the west end of Nationwide Boulevard.

June 2, 201114 yr

WOSU's "Columbus On The Record", a weekly roundup of central ohio politics, did its analysis of the casino deal too...

June 2, 201114 yr

And an answer to a basic question: Why didn't the City of Columbus get Penn National to agree to the annexation in writing after they agreed to move its casino to the west side...

ANATOMY OF A STALEMATE

Lump-sum play yields casino deal

Sunday, May 29, 2011

By Doug Caruso, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Over months of casino negotiations, the question came up many times: If Columbus expected Penn National Gaming to have its casino site annexed to the city, why didn't Mayor Michael B. Coleman's administration insist on a signed agreement before the development moved from the Arena District to Franklin Township?

Columbus officials did. But no one could agree on what to sign.

Documents the city filed in U.S. District Court show that both sides tried for months early last year to come to a written agreement. But they were stuck on the issue of incentives.

June 7, 201114 yr

Council OKs casino settlement

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

By Doug Caruso, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

The Columbus City Council approved a settlement with Penn National Gaming last night and set aside $15 million to help develop its casino. The council also agreed to pay $350,000 in legal fees that the city incurred defending itself against Penn National's lawsuit, which sought access to sewer and water service without annexation of the casino site into Columbus.

The $15 million is to be paid to Penn National to reimburse the company for environmental cleanup costs and roadwork after Franklin County gives its approval of annexation of the casino site into Columbus' West Side. The casino developer is to submit documentation of its expenses by Monday.

Columbus would supply sewer and water service and receive about $24 million in taxes on casino revenue, plus the income taxes from those who work at the casino. That revenue would initially be used to reimburse city coffers for the $15 million called for in the settlement.

June 10, 201114 yr

Commissioners OK casino pact

County's approval needed for project

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

By Elizabeth Gibson, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

The Franklin County commissioners added their consent yesterday to settle a lawsuit that Penn National Gaming brought against Columbus and the county.

"It's another step," said Bob Tenenbaum, a spokesman for Penn National. "There are still contingencies, but hopefully the court will agree with our timeline so that we can work them out and get the project moving."

June 10, 201114 yr

Penn National: Raise taxes, get smaller casino

By Jeff Bell, Business First

Friday, June 3, 2011, 6:00am EDT

A controversial tax provision in the proposed state budget will not derail Penn National Gaming Inc.’s casino in Columbus, but it could reduce the scope of the planned $400 million project. At issue is an item in the two-year budget bill that applies the state’s commercial activity tax to all casino revenue, rather than taxing what is left after payoffs on winning wagers. The provision likely would cost Penn National and Rock Ohio Caesars LLC, developers of the four casinos in Ohio, tens of millions of dollars in extra taxes a year.

The debate prompted Rock Ohio Caesars to stop construction of its casinos in Cleveland and Cincinnati, but Penn National has continued building its Columbus and Toledo complexes. Construction of the $300 million Toledo casino is about 40 percent complete – so far along that Penn National is committed to finishing it as proposed, company President Tim Wilmott said.

But that’s not the case with the casino on Columbus’ west side, where construction didn’t begin in earnest until April. “If things get turned sideways and our economic model changes,” Wilmott said, “we will go back and look at what is going to happen with our investment. (The Columbus casino) may not have 3,000 slot machines, seven restaurants and parking for 4,000 cars. It will have to be reduced.”

June 13, 201114 yr

Federal judge OKs casino annexation settlement

Saturday, June 11, 2011

By Doug Caruso, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

A federal judge has signed off on a settlement agreement among Penn National Gaming, Columbus and Franklin County. The agreement, which the Columbus City Council and Franklin County commissioners approved this week, gives the casino developer until July 5 to settle its lawsuits with The Dispatch Printing Company and find a buyer for its former casino site in the Arena District.

If those occur, Penn National agrees to annex its casino site to Columbus and the city agrees to pay $15 million toward Penn's environmental cleanup costs and roadwork costs around the new casino site. The development is in Franklin Township, near I-270 and W. Broad Street.

U.S. District Judge Gregory L. Frost signed the 15-page settlement agreement yesterday. That gives him jurisdiction to hear disputes over how the settlement is carried out.

June 18, 201113 yr

Report paints rosy profit picture for casino

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

By Joe Vardon, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

HAMILTON, Ohio - With no deal yet between Gov. John Kasich and Penn National Gaming, the administration released a report yesterday that would appear to support Kasich's argument for more cash from casino operators.

The timing of the report's release - the first business day after Penn National backed out of a deal with Kasich - could further bruise a negotiation process between two sides that aren't talking publicly about each other but are privately grumbling about the other's demands.

According to the report, which was produced as part of the gambling firm Moelis & Co.'s contract to advise Kasich, Penn National's Hollywood Columbus casino would enjoy a first-year return on investment of about 40 percent even if it paid Ohio a $100 million license fee, twice what is currently required.

June 18, 201113 yr

Columbus casino might be one of Penn National's most profitable, consultant says

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

By Joe Vardon, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

As the Kasich administration tries to pry more millions from Penn National Gaming, the governor can point to a consultant's report showing that Penn's planned Columbus casino could be nearly its most profitable in the nation.

The study by state gambling adviser Moelis & Co. says Penn National's profitability margin for its revenue from the West Side facility could be higher than all but one of Penn's 16 current casinos - the Argosy in Sioux City, Iowa.

The report indicates that Penn's Hollywood Columbus casino will do well because there are no competitors nearby. If racetracks are allowed to install slots, Penn would need to move its Beulah Park track to maximize profit at both venues.

June 18, 201113 yr

Kasich gets $110 million more from Penn National

Casino pact also clears way for Beulah Park to move to Dayton

Saturday, June 18, 2011

By Joe Vardon, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

A deal that the Kasich administration struck with Penn National Gaming yesterday apparently removes the last major obstacle for the casino planned on Columbus' West Side.

. . .

Penn National will pay the same $110 million in additional fees agreed to a week ago by Rock Ohio Caesars, developer of casinos slated for Cleveland and Cincinnati, in addition to the $50 million license fee required for each casino. The new agreement also paves the way for Penn to move Beulah Park's horse racetrack operations from Grove City to the Dayton area.

Yesterday's three-way pact brought an end to contentious negotiations with Penn National and wrapped up an overall bargaining period with Ohio casinos in which Kasich rustled up an extra $220 million for the state from casinos, plus possibly millions more from electronic slot machines at horse racetracks.

In return, Kasich promised to alter wording in the state budget that would have required Penn to pay Ohio's commercial-activity tax based on total revenue before winnings were subtracted. The casino companies contended that the tax should have never been assessed on winnings.

June 27, 201113 yr

Casino deal spurs Haydocy makeover plans

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

By Dan Gearino, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Anticipating a West Side revival because of the planned casino, auto dealer Chris Haydocy is announcing plans to remodel his family's auto dealership. The dealership, Haydocy Buick GMC, will get a new faade, an updated interior and a climate-controlled service department.

"A lot of it is related to Penn National's investment" in the neighborhood, he said, referring to the company developing the nearby casino. "Hopefully, this is the start of lots of investment up and down the Broad Street corridor."

July 20, 201113 yr

Can't this deal just get done?

Columbus casino dispute returns after failure to finalize accord

Business First - by Matt Burns

Wednesday, July 20, 2011, 9:59am EDT

The advance that Columbus’ casino developer took when it struck a tentative settlement with the city in May took two steps back this week.

Bob Tenenbaum, a spokesman for Penn National Gaming Inc., said a Tuesday deadline to resolve two key sticking points linked to the casino’s development on the city’s west side came and went with no deal. As a result, the accord Penn National reached with Columbus two months ago has ended and the company’s federal lawsuit against the city and Franklin County seeking water and sewer service to the construction site becomes active again.

Mayor Mike Coleman said in a statement late Tuesday he was “disappointed” the deadline passed without a deal. “The city of Columbus fully met its obligations, and we had hoped to put this lawsuit behind us,” Coleman said. “We are prepared to go to trial and are confident in a fair hearing from (U.S. District Court) Judge (Gregory) Frost.”

July 21, 201113 yr

FINALLY!!!

Casino fight is over; judge approves final settlement

Updated: Thursday, July 21, 2011 - 03:17 PM

By Doug Caruso, The Columbus Dispatch

A federal judge signed off on the settlement between Penn National Gaming and Columbus this afternoon.

The deal will allow construction of a casino to go ahead unhindered, bring it into the city and supply it with sewer and water services. Columbus will collect an estimated $24 million in casino tax revenue each year when the casino opens. The city has agreed to pay Penn National $15 million toward cleanup of the casino site near I-270 and W. Broad Street.

The settlement also means that Nationwide Realty Investors has agreed to purchase Penn National's original casino site in the Arena District for $11 million and that The Dispatch Printing Company and the developer have agreed to drop their lawsuits against each other.

July 26, 201113 yr

Casino annexation starts

Columbus City Council ensures services to site; process could finish by end of October

Tuesday, July 26, 2011 - 03:06 AM

By Doug Caruso, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

The Columbus City Council has taken the first step toward annexing the 108-acre Hollywood Casino site to the West Side, certifying that the city is capable of providing police, utilities and other services for the $400 million project.

Penn National Gaming applied for annexation on Friday, and the council took action last night during its final meeting before a month-long summer break. Franklin County commissioners are to take up the annexation at a meeting on Aug. 23, their spokeswoman said.

If commissioners approve the annexation, state law then requires that Columbus wait 60 days before giving its final approval, meaning it could be complete by the end of October. At that point, Columbus would begin collecting income taxes from construction workers at the site and become eligible for an estimated $24 million in casino-revenue taxes once the casino opens at the end of 2012.

August 25, 201113 yr

County OKs annexation of casino site; city up next

By Doug Caruso, The Columbus Dispatch

Wednesday, August 24, 2011 - 4:05 AM

The annexation of Penn National Gaming’s casino site to Columbus moved along yesterday when Franklin County commissioners gave their approval.

It was a routine matter, setting the stage for a final vote by the Columbus City Council at least 60 days from now, a waiting period required under state law. That vote is expected in mid-November, a city official said on Monday.

August 25, 201113 yr

So the city is going to pay $15 million to cleanup the casino site: makes me wonder when was the last time the city spent $15 million for businesses on W Broad in the Hilltop. At least the drama is over.

August 25, 201113 yr

yes and $15 million in cleanup equals $24 million in casino revenue taxes, A YEAR , to the city.

October 13, 201113 yr

Casino not seen as savior, but West Side development predicted

By Mark Ferenchik, The Columbus Dispatch

Thursday, October 13, 2011 - 7:10 AM

The city’s casino eventually might become an economic engine for the West Side, but even the most optimistic planners know the Hollywood Casino Columbus won’t magically transform the struggling area. “It isn’t going to be Las Vegas,” said H. Joel Teaford, executive director of the Central Ohio Community Improvement Corp.

Still, the casino could push development that leads to as many as 2,500 jobs, according to a consultant that studied strategies to redevelop the area near Penn National Gaming’s planned casino. Last night, those strategies were shared at a community meeting of about 100 people.

MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2011/10/13/it-wont-be-las-vegas.html

MAP OF WEST SIDE STUDY AREA

October 13, 201113 yr

And speaking of the casino. Hollywood Casino has two construction cameras up now. Below are the links to each camera and a sample image from each camera taken today:

COLUMBUS HOLLYWOOD CASINO - CONSTRUCTION CAMERA 1

COLUMBUS HOLLYWOOD CASINO - CONSTRUCTION CAMERA 2

November 17, 201113 yr

Penn National studies hotel at casino

Consultant sought; city tourism industry backs entertainment-themed facility, bureau says

By Marla Matzer Rose, The Columbus Dispatch

Thursday, November 17, 2011 - 6:24 AM

Six months after breaking ground on its $400 million Hollywood Casino on the West Side, Penn National is studying the potential for a hotel there. A hotel has been discussed as an option at the site, but no time frame has been given. The casino is expected to open late next year.

Penn National recently sought recommendations for a local hotel consultant from Experience Columbus, the city’s convention and visitors bureau, said Paul Astleford, president and CEO of the bureau. Astleford said Eric Schippers, Penn senior vice president, indicated that Penn was weighing a variety of options and had been approached by developers interested in getting in on the business the casino could draw and the hoped-for revitalization of the area.

Penn remains interested in possibly building a hotel on the casino site as part of a second phase of development, Penn spokesman Bob Tenenbaum said. He said a decision most likely would not be made until after the casino had been open for “a year or so.”

MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/business/2011/11/17/penn-national-studies-hotel-at-casino.html

January 20, 201213 yr

Couple of construction progress reports from the Columbus Dispatch and Business First:

DISPATCH: Casino is cruising - Construction on track for fall opening; hiring process for 2,000 jobs will begin next spring

BUSINESS FIRST: First Look: Columbus’ casino on schedule, under roof

January 20, 201213 yr

Couple of reports from the Columbus Dispatch and Business First on an economic impact study released yesterday about the Casino and the West Side:

DISPATCH: Consultant: West Side casino could lead to jobs, growth

BUSINESS FIRST: Casino, Westland Mall area ripe for redevelopment, report finds

February 7, 201213 yr

Hollywood Casino announced they will train about 1,200 of its employees through a partnership with three central Ohio colleges. Columbus State Community College will handle training for the casino’s food-service operations. Hondros College in Westerville will offer training to table-games dealers. Central Ohio Technical College will offer training for other non-gaming jobs, including technicians and safety workers.

DISPATCH: Local colleges will train casino employees

BUSINESS FIRST: Casino job training to be held at Columbus State, COTC, Hondros

February 7, 201213 yr

County delays casino-area zoning plan

By Lucas Sullivan, The Columbus Dispatch

Wednesday, February 1, 2012 - 5:11 AM

The Franklin County commissioners have scrapped a zoning plan for the area around the new Hollywood Casino Columbus because businesses owners voiced their disapproval. The commissioners voted (January 31, 2012) to postpone action for a year to give their economic-development team more time to collaborate with property owners near the Westland Mall.

The development team had asked the commissioners to approve the zoning plan in December, but businesses expressed frustrations over how the county’s proposal would jell with zoning in the city of Columbus. Some land near the $400 million casino is in Columbus, and some is in unincorporated areas of Franklin County.

MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/01/county-delays-casino-area-zoning-plan.html

May 16, 201213 yr

Should be interesting to see how this casino compares to the urban experience that Cleveland's Horseshoe Casino offers.

I know my Columbus-based friends and family members wish this thing was built in the city like the original plan mandated.

May 16, 201213 yr

Horseshoe Casino Cleveland just opened their doors in the heart of Downtown Cleveland.....the hype in Cleveland in Crazy the place is rocking. Columbus will have a ways to go...good luck Hollywood Columbus

May 16, 201213 yr

I'm actually glad it's nowhere near Downtown. Columbus' urban core is moving along just fine without the risky venture of plopping a casino and the potential associated problems in a revitalizing, successful area. If the casino ends up being successful, great. Then it will be able to help the Georgesville Road/W. Broad area. If not, well, hate to say it but the West Side doesn't exactly lose too much that hasn't already been lost, and at least it doesn't hurt the progress of Downtown.

I was also just reading an article recently about how there's an increasing glut of casinos nationally. There's only so many dollars to go around, so it remains to be seen if any of Ohio's new casinos work out long term. It reminded me of the other article I read... about how shale gas is now being overdrilled and some states are having drastic drops in production because there isn't enough demand. Ohio, for now, is still ahead of the game and growing, but prices are at historic lows, and it makes me think the people of Northeast/Eastern Ohio are being set up for another letdown.

May 16, 201213 yr

^Love how you turned a post about Columbus' casino into NEO being in for another let down do to over production of the Utica Shale. Give me a break.

May 16, 201213 yr

Horseshoe Casino Cleveland just opened their doors in the heart of Downtown Cleveland.....the hype in Cleveland in Crazy the place is rocking. Columbus will have a ways to go...good luck Hollywood Columbus

It was just a post in a forum location about how the Horseshoe has created a spillover and that downtown is buzzing with a lot of the bars and restaurants especially the close ones are full and Fox 8 said that restaurants like John Q's and Tilted Kilt are having record days.

May 16, 201213 yr

^Love how you turned a post about Columbus' casino into NEO being in for another let down do to over production of the Utica Shale. Give me a break.

I don't think jbcmh meant any malice toward NEO by that comment. But it is off the topic of the Columbus casino. So let's not discuss it any further in this thread.

May 16, 201213 yr

I'm actually glad it's nowhere near Downtown. Columbus' urban core is moving along just fine without the risky venture of plopping a casino and the potential associated problems in a revitalizing, successful area. If the casino ends up being successful, great. Then it will be able to help the Georgesville Road/W. Broad area. If not, well, hate to say it but the West Side doesn't exactly lose too much that hasn't already been lost, and at least it doesn't hurt the progress of Downtown.

I was also just reading an article recently about how there's an increasing glut of casinos nationally. There's only so many dollars to go around, so it remains to be seen if any of Ohio's new casinos work out long term. It reminded me of the other article I read... about how shale gas is now being overdrilled and some states are having drastic drops in production because there isn't enough demand. Ohio, for now, is still ahead of the game and growing, but prices are at historic lows, and it makes me think the people of Northeast/Eastern Ohio are being set up for another letdown.

I don't necessarily believe that your Casino would be risky to put in Downtown Columbus. Would their be a risk? Of course but that is with every downtown business. If Penn national does what Rock Caesars did with the Horseshoe Casino in Cleveland by not putting Vegas Style shows, tons of restaurants and other things to keep people in and only included a B spot Restaurant, a Buffet, and Bar then it should be fine. Also Cleveland made Horseshoe Casino pledge to promote other downtown businesses as well to their casino customers. Cleveland just ran a story saying the businesses around the Casino are experiencing a spillover from the casino and putting up record numbers. While I know it's still early the businesses shouldn't suffer because the districts such as (East 4th, Warehouse District, Playhouse Square, and the Gateway District) have had regulars and great business especially 4th which is full often. The casino can only add to that and if it takes away it won't be by much, especially since those aforementioned districts also benefit from having the sports teams such as the Cleveland Gladiators, Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Browns, Lake Erie Monsters, Cleveland Crush, and Cleveland Cavs that visit them before and after games. Also Cleveland's downtown shopping is turning around so that's a plus.

Long story short what I'm saying is if Downtown Columbus had a truly vibrant downtown with people who fill the bars and restaurants without their being a special attraction downtown like Cleveland's does, then a casino should be fine as long as Penn National doesn't do any selfish and bad planning. Columbus also has the Blue Jackets, Crew, Clippers etc. that would attract a different non casino crowd to keep the other businesses flowing. So while Casino's are risky if the infrastructure and great planning are down there then it would be fine.

May 16, 201213 yr

I'm actually glad it's nowhere near Downtown. Columbus' urban core is moving along just fine without the risky venture of plopping a casino and the potential associated problems in a revitalizing, successful area. If the casino ends up being successful, great. Then it will be able to help the Georgesville Road/W. Broad area. If not, well, hate to say it but the West Side doesn't exactly lose too much that hasn't already been lost, and at least it doesn't hurt the progress of Downtown.

I was also just reading an article recently about how there's an increasing glut of casinos nationally. There's only so many dollars to go around, so it remains to be seen if any of Ohio's new casinos work out long term. It reminded me of the other article I read... about how shale gas is now being overdrilled and some states are having drastic drops in production because there isn't enough demand. Ohio, for now, is still ahead of the game and growing, but prices are at historic lows, and it makes me think the people of Northeast/Eastern Ohio are being set up for another letdown.

I don't necessarily believe that your Casino would be risky to put in Downtown Columbus. Would their be a risk? Of course but that is with every downtown business. If Penn national does what Rock Caesars did with the Horseshoe Casino in Cleveland by not putting Vegas Style shows, tons of restaurants and other things to keep people in and only included a B spot Restaurant, a Buffet, and Bar then it should be fine. Also Cleveland made Horseshoe Casino pledge to promote other downtown businesses as well to their casino customers. Cleveland just ran a story saying the businesses around the Casino are experiencing a spillover from the casino and putting up record numbers. While I know it's still early the businesses shouldn't suffer because the districts such as (East 4th, Warehouse District, Playhouse Square, and the Gateway District) have had regulars and great business especially 4th which is full often. The casino can only add to that and if it takes away it won't be by much, especially since those aforementioned districts also benefit from having the sports teams such as the Cleveland Gladiators, Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Browns, Lake Erie Monsters, Cleveland Crush, and Cleveland Cavs that visit them before and after games. Also Cleveland's downtown shopping is turning around so that's a plus.

Long story short what I'm saying is if Downtown Columbus had a truly vibrant downtown with people who fill the bars and restaurants without their being a special attraction downtown like Cleveland's does, then a casino should be fine as long as Penn National doesn't do any selfish and bad planning. Columbus also has the Blue Jackets, Crew, Clippers etc. that would attract a different non casino crowd to keep the other businesses flowing. So while Casino's are risky if the infrastructure and great planning are down there then it would be fine.

Nicely stated

May 16, 201213 yr

I'm actually glad it's nowhere near Downtown. Columbus' urban core is moving along just fine without the risky venture of plopping a casino and the potential associated problems in a revitalizing, successful area. If the casino ends up being successful, great. Then it will be able to help the Georgesville Road/W. Broad area. If not, well, hate to say it but the West Side doesn't exactly lose too much that hasn't already been lost, and at least it doesn't hurt the progress of Downtown.

I was also just reading an article recently about how there's an increasing glut of casinos nationally. There's only so many dollars to go around, so it remains to be seen if any of Ohio's new casinos work out long term. It reminded me of the other article I read... about how shale gas is now being overdrilled and some states are having drastic drops in production because there isn't enough demand. Ohio, for now, is still ahead of the game and growing, but prices are at historic lows, and it makes me think the people of Northeast/Eastern Ohio are being set up for another letdown.

I don't necessarily believe that your Casino would be risky to put in Downtown Columbus. Would their be a risk? Of course but that is with every downtown business. If Penn national does what Rock Caesars did with the Horseshoe Casino in Cleveland by not putting Vegas Style shows, tons of restaurants and other things to keep people in and only included a B spot Restaurant, a Buffet, and Bar then it should be fine. Also Cleveland made Horseshoe Casino pledge to promote other downtown businesses as well to their casino customers. Cleveland just ran a story saying the businesses around the Casino are experiencing a spillover from the casino and putting up record numbers. While I know it's still early the businesses shouldn't suffer because the districts such as (East 4th, Warehouse District, Playhouse Square, and the Gateway District) have had regulars and great business especially 4th which is full often. The casino can only add to that and if it takes away it won't be by much, especially since those aforementioned districts also benefit from having the sports teams such as the Cleveland Gladiators, Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Browns, Lake Erie Monsters, Cleveland Crush, and Cleveland Cavs that visit them before and after games. Also Cleveland's downtown shopping is turning around so that's a plus.

Long story short what I'm saying is if Downtown Columbus had a truly vibrant downtown with people who fill the bars and restaurants without their being a special attraction downtown like Cleveland's does, then a casino should be fine as long as Penn National doesn't do any selfish and bad planning. Columbus also has the Blue Jackets, Crew, Clippers etc. that would attract a different non casino crowd to keep the other businesses flowing. So while Casino's are risky if the infrastructure and great planning are down there then it would be fine.

Agreed!

May 16, 201213 yr

This is the first time you have agreed with one of my post! lol

May 16, 201213 yr

Don't get too excited!

May 16, 201213 yr

Ha I won't but maybe when I get older I will get more expertise on different projects like you all have...

May 16, 201213 yr

Long story short what I'm saying is if Downtown Columbus had a truly vibrant downtown with people who fill the bars and restaurants without their being a special attraction downtown like Cleveland's does, then a casino should be fine as long as Penn National doesn't do any selfish and bad planning. Columbus also has the Blue Jackets, Crew, Clippers etc. that would attract a different non casino crowd to keep the other businesses flowing. So while Casino's are risky if the infrastructure and great planning are down there then it would be fine.

What you said is correct - but I highlighted the problem.

1) Keep in mind that Columbus was designated to receive a "Hollywood Casino". Not a Caesars/Horseshoe Casino. And that's an important distinction. The Hollywood Casino brand is a single-story building with attached parking. The Hollywood Casino being built in Toledo will be very similar to Columbus' Hollywood Casino. That is what Hollywood Casino builds everywhere.

With any other development project, the City could simply require a multi-story design that would complement the very well done Arena District. However, it was written into the State Constitution that these casino project did not need local zoning/design review approvals. So we would have been stuck with whatever design the casino developer wanted. And for Hollywood Casino, a single-story building with attached parking that would operate as a self-contained entity is what they wanted.

Additionally, the original location next to the Arena District didn't even work from a basic traffic planning perspective. The original location was at the end of a dead-end street west of the Arena District. It only had one good means of access into and out of the location. Something that was ill-suited to a high traffic generator. Even more additionally, the original casino was designated as a future downtown residential site. So in addition to a "bad design-bad location" casino, it would remove a prime downtown residential location.

There was no discussions or buy-in from Columbus business and government officials before the Arena District location was chosen. The Arena District location was dropped into our laps and we were told to like it. Well we didn't and we made them move to a more appropriate location.

2) It's not the Arena District that needed the Casino. It's the Casino that wanted the Arena District. As in "let's siphon people from this already successful entertainment district". A single-story building with attached parking operating as a self-contained entity would take more from the Arena District then it would have given.

3) There is no missed opportunity for the Arena District. The original casino location has been purchased by Nationwide Realty Investors (see this post in the Arena District construction thread) and will be developed into downtown residences as was originally intended.

4) The casinos aren't designed to be great urban planning projects. They're designed to be economic development projects. -- The one exception to the "not great urban planning" statement is Cleveland's Horseshoe Casino. That one is a very good redevelopment of a vacant downtown structure. -- Cincinnati's isn't too bad. It does redevelop a long vacant portion of their downtown, which is a net positive. But the design is Las-Vegas gaudy and is meant to operate as a self-contained entity. More focused on economic activity then great urban design.

5) The Arena District didn't need an economic development project with "not great urban planning". But Columbus' west side did need an economic development project like Hollywood Casino was offering. The west side location offered the additional benefit of removing an abandoned Delphi auto parts plant as part of the casino project.

TO RECAP THE TWO CASINO LOCATION CHOICES

Arena District: Part of the city that didn't need any help - poorly planned location for a casino - would have removed a future downtown residential development site in the process.

West Side: Removing a huge vacant plant - bringing economic development to a part of the city that desperately needed it.

That is why the Hollywood Casino is being built on Columbus' West Side. And that is why I'm glad it is.

May 16, 201213 yr

Long story short what I'm saying is if Downtown Columbus had a truly vibrant downtown with people who fill the bars and restaurants without their being a special attraction downtown like Cleveland's does, then a casino should be fine as long as Penn National doesn't do any selfish and bad planning. Columbus also has the Blue Jackets, Crew, Clippers etc. that would attract a different non casino crowd to keep the other businesses flowing. So while Casino's are risky if the infrastructure and great planning are down there then it would be fine.

What you said is correct - but I highlighted the problem.

1) Keep in mind that Columbus was designated to receive a "Hollywood Casino". Not a Caesars/Horseshoe Casino. And that's an important distinction. The Hollywood Casino brand is a single-story building with attached parking. The Hollywood Casino being built in Toledo will be very similar to Columbus' Hollywood Casino. That is what Hollywood Casino builds everywhere.

With any other development project, the City could simply require a multi-story design that would complement the very well done Arena District. However, it was written into the State Constitution that these casino project did not need local zoning/design review approvals. So we would have been stuck with whatever design the casino developer wanted. And for Hollywood Casino, a single-story building with attached parking that would operate as a self-contained entity is what they wanted.

Additionally, the original location next to the Arena District didn't even work from a basic traffic planning perspective. The original location was at the end of a dead-end street west of the Arena District. It only had one good means of access into and out of the location. Something that was ill-suited to a high traffic generator. Even more additionally, the original casino was designated as a future downtown residential site. So in addition to a "bad design-bad location" casino, it would remove a prime downtown residential location.

There was no discussions or buy-in from Columbus business and government officials before the Arena District location was chosen. The Arena District location was dropped into our laps and we were told to like it. Well we didn't and we made them move to a more appropriate location.

2) It's not the Arena District that needed the Casino. It's the Casino that wanted the Arena District. As in "let's siphon people from this already successful entertainment district". A single-story building with attached parking operating as a self-contained entity would take more from the Arena District then it would have given.

3) There is no missed opportunity for the Arena District. The original casino location has been purchased by Nationwide Realty Investors (see this post in the Arena District construction thread) and will be developed into downtown residences as was originally intended.

4) The casinos aren't designed to be great urban planning projects. They're designed to be economic development projects. -- The one exception to the "not great urban planning" statement is Cleveland's Horseshoe Casino. That one is a very good redevelopment of a vacant downtown structure. -- Cincinnati's isn't too bad. It does redevelop a long vacant portion of their downtown, which is a net positive. But the design is Las-Vegas gaudy and is meant to operate as a self-contained entity. More focused on economic activity then great urban design.

5) The Arena District didn't need an economic development project with "not great urban planning". But Columbus' west side did need an economic development project like Hollywood Casino was offering. The west side location offered the additional benefit of removing an abandoned Delphi auto parts plant as part of the casino project.

TO RECAP THE TWO CASINO LOCATION CHOICES

Arena District: Part of the city that didn't need any help - poorly planned location for a casino - would have removed a future downtown residential development site in the process.

West Side: Removing a huge vacant plant - bringing economic development to a part of the city that desperately needed it.

That is why the Hollywood Casino is being built on Columbus' West Side. And that is why I'm glad it is.

Well when you state it like that then it does make sense to put it away from your downtown. Like I said I live in Cleveland so I didn't know exactly where the casino would have potentially went. Since that area of the west side was virtually dead it's a good idea to build there as it gets rid of urban blight at the same time. This all hinges on if the casino is easily accessible because that is key. I know these are two different casinos I was just saying the success of the Casino hinges on the planning from Penn National and they encourage and promote other attractions. Hopefully this allows for more development in an area from what I read in your post desperately needs it.

Cleveland has vibrant areas surrounding Public Square already with regulars as I said before so they shouldn't suffer at all and if they do only a little but the sporting events should offset that. Public Square while busy during the day was missing that key attraction to keep people there after workers left so putting the casino in the Higbee building was a smart idea as it is a magnet for people to go into and having it attached to Tower City will the underground train station allows for easy accessibility, which I hope your casino has. Putting the Casino right next to Tower City should also benefit the shopping mall as well and has spurred development all around downtown and Public Square in areas that desperately needed it.

Really all in all what I'm trying to say is the success of these casino's and surrounding entertainment and eateries hinges on a great location to build in/on and unselfish planning and I believe Cleveland's casino has it I just am hoping your casino planners will be unselfish as well. Good luck with your casino...

May 16, 201213 yr

^Love how you turned a post about Columbus' casino into NEO being in for another let down do to over production of the Utica Shale. Give me a break.

My point was that casinos, like the shale boom, have a lot of associated hype, but the results may not be what people were expecting. Casinos are not a sure thing, just ask Vegas, which has seen it's unemployment skyrocket and in-migration plunge. I like to get the full picture of things, not just look at a new shiny building or what some executive says about a project. And yeah, my comment about the boom was actually expressing worry, not malice or insult.

May 16, 201213 yr

McLovin: I totally get where you're coming from questioning the west side location choice. It's a natural question to ask. Especially coming from your perspective of the Tower City Horseshoe Casino in Cleveland. The Cleveland Casino is definately the best of the new Ohio casinos.

If Columbus had rejected a "Tower City Horseshoe Casino" in the Arena District, I'd agree that we screwed up. But, as I stated earlier, the "Hollywood Casino" is something entirely different from the top-level Horseshoe Casino that downtown Cleveland is getting.

May 16, 201213 yr

McLovin: I totally get where you're coming from questioning the west side location choice. It's a natural question to ask. Especially coming from your perspective of the Tower City Horseshoe Casino in Cleveland. The Cleveland Casino is definately the best of the new Ohio casinos.

If Columbus had rejected a "Tower City Horseshoe Casino" in the Arena District, I'd agree that we screwed up. But, as I stated earlier, the "Hollywood Casino" is something entirely different from the top-level Horseshoe Casino that downtown Cleveland is getting.

Thank you for the compliment on Cleveland's Casino, but yes now I understand why Columbus is using that current location before the explanation I questioned why Columbus would build there but now I understand.

May 16, 201213 yr

I visited the area where the casino was supposed to be in the Arena District on my motorcycle the other day -- at the end of Nationwide Boulevard, right? I hadn't been through there since before the Pen came down, if ever. Wow, yea that's definitely a place for offices or something like that. Simultaneously esoteric and mysterious, that stretch of Nationwide has seemly seen little action since Spring-Sandusky cut it off in the 50s or 60s with its unimproved railroad overpasses and rubbed-off traffic markings. The buildings looked like something out of Roger Rabbit (Columbus really doesn't have much of that type of development left). One building even still said Dublin Rd. on it. That made me wonder what that stretch was called between the time Dublin Rd. was moved and when it was dubbed Nationwide Blvd., if anything else.

May 16, 201213 yr

^Love how you turned a post about Columbus' casino into NEO being in for another let down do to over production of the Utica Shale. Give me a break.

My point was that casinos, like the shale boom, have a lot of associated hype, but the results may not be what people were expecting. Casinos are not a sure thing, just ask Vegas, which has seen it's unemployment skyrocket and in-migration plunge. I like to get the full picture of things, not just look at a new shiny building or what some executive says about a project. And yeah, my comment about the boom was actually expressing worry, not malice or insult.

I see what you're saying, and I agree. I don't think any of these casinos will in and of themselves change the course of the areas they are around, unless the area was barren before hand. If anything I'm more excited about all the development that may occur because of the casino.

That said, If any of the casinos are failures I would assume the development around them would start to fail also. So if an area where a casino is going in is already a destination in and of itself the impact of a casino failure would not be felt as hard.

June 19, 201212 yr

Update time for the Hollywood Casino. Below are synopses of some recent casino news items with links to the source:

• The Dispatch looked at the construction schedule for the casino complex and the hiring of employees: Columbus casino on track for October

• NBC4 looked at the opening of the Casino Career Center in an existing building next door to the under-construction casino. The career center will interview and train the casino's future employees: Hollywood Casino Columbus Opening Its Career Center Today

• Dispatch humor columnist Joe Blundo wishes the cliched "Hollywood" theme would be dropped in favor of a more fun "Buckeye" theme. I tend to agree that if you're going for loud and gaudy, really go for it. It'll never happen. But it's fun to dream of all the buckeye-themed possibilites: Blah casino needs touch of Columbus

• And then something from today's Dispatch. Penn National is talking about a Phase Two on the casino site that might include a hotel. Penn started the process at last night's Columbus City Council meeting with a zoning change to part of the property. However, it's still very preliminary. Penn has not officially committed to building a hotel and has not said what size the hotel might be. The article mentions zoning language that the hotel could be no taller than 375 feet or 25 to 30 stories. But, given the large amount of land available, we shouldn't expect more than a 4 to 5 story hotel, if that: Casino might have hotel as well

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