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Calling on the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board pursuant to the Horse Racing Development and Gaming Act of 2004, to issue no more than one Category 2 Slot Machine License along the Delaware riverfront in Philadelphia.
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WHEREAS, The Horse Racing Development and Gaming Act of 2004 sets aside two Category 2 Slot Machine Licenses to be located within the City of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, which has the authority to issue these two licenses, has under consideration five sites within the City of Philadelphia, four of which are located along the Delaware riverfront. Each of these four are located adjacent to Christopher Columbus Boulevard (aka Delaware Avenue) and will depend on this roadway for primary traffic access; and
WHEREAS, The Horse Racing Development and Gaming Act of 2004 requires that Category 2 Slot Machine facilities initially offer 3000 slot machines with the option to expand to 5000 machines after 18 months; and
WHEREAS, A facility of this magnitude will generate and accommodate an inordinate amount of automobile and bus traffic on a daily basis and all traffic must use Christopher Columbus Boulevard (aka Delaware Avenue) the only north south arterial road serving the riverfront; and
WHEREAS, Christopher Columbus Boulevard (aka Delaware Avenue) already serves as the primary north-south arterial road for the high density residential, mixed-use, and commercial development, two major port facilities the Packer Marine Terminal and the Tioga Marine Terminal as well as several minor terminals between Oregon Avenue and Richmond street; and
WHEREAS, In recent years hundreds of residential units have been built, are currently under construction or have received necessary approvals; hundreds of thousands of square feet of retail and office development have opened; and thousands of square feet of restaurant and family entertainment venues have been built along this portion of the Delaware riverfront. All of these developments depend upon Christopher Columbus Boulevard (aka Delaware Avenue) for vehicular access; and
WHEREAS, Major traffic congestion occurs regularly throughout every day because of the existing residential, commercial and industrial density, not only inconveniencing residents but also creating hardships for potential customers, and type of development along the riverfront inconveniencing many nearby residents and businesses and the increase of traffic resulting from future development coupled with the traffic demands of up to two gaming facilities has the potential of negatively affecting the economic viability of the area; and
WHEREAS, Major public and private investments have been made and continue to be made along the Delaware riverfront to preserve, enhance and protect the residential communities that exist, are under construction and that are planned in this area of the City and to continue to enhance the economic development potential, to encourage investment, and to protect and promote the economic vitality of this area of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, In addition to traffic concerns, numerous quality-of-life concerns will accompany gaming venues including crime, low-end development, trash, noise and impact on property values. These problems will be exacerbated if two facilities are built within such a close proximity with one another causing undue hardships on some of the City’s most vital, vibrant and viable communities; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Calls on the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board pursuant to the Horse Racing Development and Gaming Act of 2004, to issue no more than one Category 2 Slot Machine License along the Delaware riverfront in Philadelphia.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to all members of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
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