Can Sugarhouse be like Harrah's Chester Casino & Racetrack ?
I had the opportunity to attend a "Shift Into Overdrive" one day real estate seminar as a panel speaker 
talking about the state of the Philadelphia Real Estate Market this past week. It was held at Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack.
I was expecting something dingy and awful. After all of the anti-casino talk in Philadelphia, I was prepared to be accosted by criminals and had my guard on. At the very least, after everything I have heard there would be homeless people and all sorts of devastation that surely would make me think twice about having casinos in downtown Philadelphia !!
It was only a 20 minute drive from Northern Liberties. When I got there, I was pleasantly surprised. I was more than surprised, I was dumbfounded. The place was awesome. Even the food was exquisite when we broke for lunch. I was thinking wow this place is a destination and look at the River ! People can actually see the river !
Last week, I wrote an article "Sugarhouse Casino - The drama Continues in Philadelphia" which went over the current updates for the project. Since then, there is talk that Sugarhouse may open as early as 2010 with a temporary structure. It sounds like both Mayor Nutter and City Council now stand behind the project when for 2 years, they were stalling on it. It is a little strange for a city in a budget crisis stalling on a project that could have bring in a ton of tax revenue. And some of the revenue was suppose to ease the burden of the Business Privlidge Tax which could bring business and commerce back to the City. Of course, I am sure that has changed as now the talk is real estate tax increases and eliminating the tax abatement ? That will be the subject of another blog post.
Either way, without taking sides, I think it would be a good idea for both pro-casino folks and anti-casino rebels to check out Harrahs. Unless I am missing something, this place rocks ! My next research step will be to visit the Ben Salem casino to see if I get mugged or robbed there.
Below are two more snapshots I took while I was there. When I see the Delaware River, I dream of being able to walk to it from our condo in Northern Liberties without having to go to Penn Treaty Park. Sugarhouse - if you build - can you make that happen ?
What is your opinion of the Sugarhouse Casino ? For or against and why ?
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