Things heating up on North Broad

Maybe you've heard about developer Bart Blatstein's proposal to build a second casino in Philadelphia, near the old Inquirer building on North Broad St. (You can read about it here.)

Mr. Blatstein has been talking to community groups to give them the usual song and dance -- he's not looking to add millions and millions to the millions of dollars he already has by creating and exploiting gambling addiction -- oh no, he just wants to create jobs and revenue!

We know better:

• Casinos don't create jobs, they destroy them.
• The economic and social costs of casinos far outweigh any revenue.
• This proposed casino, like SugarHouse, would prey on our communities, neighbors, and fellow citizens.

This Thursday, Mr. Blatstein is appearing at a meeting with the Spring Garden Civic Association:

Thursday, June 21
7pm (refreshments start at 6pm)
St. Andrews Church Hall
19th and North Streets (view map)

Live in the area? Why not join us to learn what he's planning? Even if you don't live in the area, it affects you too. So show up and maybe you'll see some old friends there (like Paul Boni and Dan Hajdo).

Be sure to keep an eye out for further developments. Nobody is quite sure where things are headed with a second casino in Philadelphia. But Foxwoods is dead. YOU are the people that killed it! Congratulations!

There's no reason to think we can't do it again.

Stay tuned too for more on opportunities to take on a few special projects coming up soon!

Hope to see you Thursday!

From the Spring Garden Civic Association Newsletter (May, 2012):

The Next General Membership Meeting
Thursday, June 21, 7:00 PM
St. Andrews Church Hall, 19th and North Streets
Developer Bart Blatstein To Speak on his Proposed Casino and his State Building Project
(Wine and Cheese Social, Preceding the Meeting, Starting at 6:00 PM)

The next general membership meeting will be held on Thursday, June 21, at 7:00 PM at St. Andrews Church Hall, 19th and North Streets. Developer Bart Blatstein has asked to come to the meeting to speak about his proposed Casino- Hotel project on Broad and Callowhill Streets. Some time ago, Mr. Blatstein bought the Inquirer Building and some abutting properties and proposes to use those for the casino project. He is also expected to talk about the various challenges and obstacles to such an undertaking. In addition to the properties for the proposed casino project, Mr. Blatstein also owns the State Building, at Broad and Spring Garden Streets, where development is finally under way. We look forward to receiving updates on that project, as well. Civic Association Elections will also be held for officers and a certain number of Board members. A nominating committee is working on nominations, and suggestions are always welcome.

http://springgardencdc.com/pdf/civicnewsletterMay2012.pdf

Top image: Flickr user benketaro (Creative Commons).