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Effort to move Columbus Casino begins

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Started 2 years ago by Walker
Latest reply from agtw31

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byJody
Rural NW Columbus
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I am SO happy to read this. The Casino developper was on the local news last night, saying 'We have no choice but to build it on the Arena District Site'. So I am glad to see with legislative intervention, new choices may become available.

It is interesting that people are citing the voting statistics as proof that Central Ohio is opposed to a Casino. I think there is a nuance that is not captured in that, people that are OK with a Central Ohio Casino, but opposed to it being located in the Arena District.

For me, I think placing it at a location agreed upon by the majority of the residents in the affected county would be acceptable.

I also think a Casino with a sports theme would do better than the cheesey Hollywood theme. I still wonder if there might be a favorable spot between the Airport and Easton, since there is a whole entertainment infrasturcture at Easton that could attract the visitors pre and post gambling.

Posted 2 years ago #
misskitty
Columbus
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So they realized it was going to be loud. They are still going forward with the plans? This is exactly the kind of shitting in the West end of town that needs to stop.
Oh you guys wanted shopping and restaurants and a nice urban area, nah first youÃ¢â‚¬â„¢re getting a shitty race track or a equally as shitty casino have fun west side. ItÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s bullshit it would seem like more west side wasteland dumping. Fail

Posted 2 years ago #
Core_Models
Columbus
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The noise study wasn't contracted by the city, it was done for an anti-racetrack group (and paid for by an anti-racetrack group).

There will also be a noise study paid for by the pro-racetrack group, but its advisory board seems a bit more even handed.

Posted 2 years ago #
greenhouse1014
Columbus
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You know, I'm wondering about the slippery slope of exempting Columbus from the casino amendment. Does this mean that each county could, I don't know - let's say, decide they want to allow smoking in their bars. Would that mean they could legislate themselves an exemption? How would that be looked upon by surrounding counties? Also, I'm wondering what kind of signal this sends to other businesses that might want to relocate to Columbus. Does this make our city a risk to invest in?

Posted 2 years ago #
myliftkk
Columbus, OH
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greenhouse1014 wrote >>
You know, I'm wondering about the slippery slope of exempting Columbus from the casino amendment. Does this mean that each county could, I don't know - let's say, decide they want to allow smoking in their bars. Would that mean they could legislate themselves an exemption? How would that be looked upon by surrounding counties? Also, I'm wondering what kind of signal this sends to other businesses that might want to relocate to Columbus. Does this make our city a risk to invest in?

The slope greased by Issue 3 is far more slippery than one lubricated from an opt-out followup amendment. The more applicable slippery slope argument would be an amendment building 1 bar/restaurant in each of the four major cities that was allowing to be smoking.

This state is already a risk to invest in, as is most of the midwest. Plus, handing over captive business monopolies doesn't help Ohio's economic image.

Posted 2 years ago #
CbusIslander
Cbus Islander
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greenhouse1014 wrote >>
You know, I'm wondering about the slippery slope of exempting Columbus from the casino amendment. Does this mean that each county could, I don't know - let's say, decide they want to allow smoking in their bars. Would that mean they could legislate themselves an exemption? How would that be looked upon by surrounding counties? Also, I'm wondering what kind of signal this sends to other businesses that might want to relocate to Columbus. Does this make our city a risk to invest in?

I was concerned about this same issue when resistance began to appear. I think working with Penn National is the best option. I think when they begin to release actual renderings and have community meetings, people maybe able to calm more. (or get angry more depending on the design)

I think having an amendment to free up a location is a good idea. I am sure more are against the Arena district site than voters are actually against a casino. Hope more is revealed soon.

As far as business risk, this shows that we are against monopolies and want projects to actually go thru proper channels such as zoning, etc. This legislation action maybe a positive position on business opportunities.

Posted 2 years ago #
pilsner

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It seems to me that The Continent would be a good fit for the casino. There are wide roads up there and it's close to highways--- 71,270, and 315.

Posted 2 years ago #
Rastapasta
Olde North
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If there was going to be a casino, I think it would be great near Polaris.

Posted 2 years ago #
WestSIDEboy

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myliftkk wrote >>
@core - the data's been out there for a while.
WHITEHALL-------1,777---56.00%
OBETZ--------------512-----55.90%
FRANKLIN TWP----1,169---54.22%
MADISON TWP-----1,412---53.53%
VALLEYVIEW-------80-----53.33%
MIFFLIN TWP------203----53.28%
HAMILTON TWP----701-----51.21%
PRAIRIE TWP-----2,516---50.96%
so there are your location candidates... plus right next to Core's house ;)

Looking at the election results it appears that the greatest concentration of over 50% YES would be Prairie Township. Valleyview, and Franklin Township, which also probably would carry over into the adjoining area of the city itself. With the majority of residents wanting a Casino in that area, why not locate it the Delphi Plant site on Georgesville Road. Right now it's an eyesore I have to drive by every day and this would bring needed commercial activity into the area and an amenity to an area which currently has none. Westland Mall could work, but that would not be in the city; I think it's in Prairie Township. Or just east of there on West Broad or even further up Georgesville where it becomes Phillipi Road. The old K Mart store on W. Broad is another choice. Also, I think the city bought a bunch of land just west of Wilson Road to be used for a park one day which could also be used. Most other parts of Columbus from what I have seen voted NO.

Posted 2 years ago #
Schoolboy
Columbus
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i really feel that the best possible location would be next to sciota downs. partly because i feel sciota should be allowed to extend their gambling options, and that penn being the only group allowed to build casinos in ohio has to be in some kind of monopoly law violation.

also, like i've mentioned in other posts. casinos do better in locations outside of city limits, or in already prospering areas. which is why i'm sure penn is bent on placing their casino in the arena dist. it'd be interesting to see the redzone get knocked down and the casino go up over there by cop too.

Posted 2 years ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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Rastapasta wrote >>
If there was going to be a casino, I think it would be great near Polaris.

+1

Would make a great anchor tenant for the mall.

greenhouse1014 wrote >>
You know, I'm wondering about the slippery slope of exempting Columbus from the casino amendment.

The slippery slope of the legislative process? You think that once a constitution amendment has been written, that it should never be modified or altered?

Posted 2 years ago #
NEOBuckeye
Ohio At-Large
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I think working with Penn National is the best option. I think when they begin to release actual renderings and have community meetings, people maybe able to calm more. (or get angry more depending on the design)

I don't believe that there is such a thing as "working" with these guys, since they've already spelled out in plain english that they intend to build a generic, cheesy Hollywood-themed casino here as if that somehow perfectly fits the social and cultural fabric of Columbus.

I honestly, really don't think Penn National gives a shit about Columbus or what we think. I mean, hello, they have a custom written AMENDMENT in their favor that is the envy of corporations everywhere! To people who think this is perfectly fine, I ask, what's the point of even having a Constitution if it permits corporate interests such extensive power and means to trump the interests of the people? Ask yourself, why do we tolerate this shit? Seriously.

Here's what we need to do here: Offer them a "win-win deal" (something they understand) that gives them a "reasonable" location for their casino while getting the Arena District and the rest of Central Ohio completely off the hook.

You've got to set this up, however, to make it look like an offer Penn National can't refuse; If they do accept it, everyone's happy. If not, then they come off looking like even greater assholes and public opinion in Central Ohio will unite even more strongly against them for refusing to respect the wishes of the people in this region. Then it becomes even more interesting.

Posted 2 years ago #
Core_Models
Columbus
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1. Walker's photo was carefully selected as the worst possible one that he could find. That's not what that casino looks like, and its not what the casino here would look like.

2. I don't know why you insist on saying its "generic" when you haven't seen anything in the way of plans yet...no one has. It could be, it could not be, no one knows.

Why should the rest of Central Ohio be completely off the hook when areas of Central Ohio clearly want the casino? Where exactly do you start drawing these lines of who wants it and who doesn't? My guess is, the answer to that question is "wherever they need to be drawn to get what I want".

Posted 2 years ago #
NEOBuckeye
Ohio At-Large
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Where exactly do you start drawing these lines of who wants it and who doesn't? My guess is, the answer to that question is "wherever they need to be drawn to get what I want".

Which is different from you in which respect?

Posted 2 years ago #
DavidF
Elysium Fields
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NEOBuckeye wrote >>

Where exactly do you start drawing these lines of who wants it and who doesn't? My guess is, the answer to that question is "wherever they need to be drawn to get what I want".

Which is different from you in which respect?

+1 Exactly.

Posted 2 years ago #
dirtgirl
University District
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The best and easiest solution would be for the legislature to put a new amendment on the May ballot, narrowly crafted, that simply changes the allowed location of the Columbus casino from the Arena District to Beulah Park, which Penn National has an option to purchase from its current owner (link). This way, Penn would get its casino in central Ohio without having to fight the city for years, downtown would be off the hook, and Franklin County could still get casino revenue. And most importantly and unlike the current proposal, Penn wouldn't have the incentive to spend zillions of dollars to defeat it.

Posted 2 years ago #
Bristol Bar

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I'm sorry, but Bill Seitz is a total scum bag. He attempted to change the wine laws a few years ago, while on the payroll of the conglomerate of Glazers (a pharmaceutical distributor who happened to but a wine company) to pass legislation making pricing favorable toward big box stores against small wine shops.

No surprise what side he's on now.

Ugh!

Posted 2 years ago #
Core_Models
Columbus
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NEOBuckeye wrote >>

Where exactly do you start drawing these lines of who wants it and who doesn't? My guess is, the answer to that question is "wherever they need to be drawn to get what I want".

Which is different from you in which respect?

Actually, I'm just following the currently voted on and passed legislation. I don't need to draw any new lines, the amendment did that...and was passed by a majority of the State of Ohio. I'm in support of an amendment to the State's constitution that was voted on by the State and passed.

If your argument is that the State thought there should be a casino in Central Ohio but a majority of Central Ohio didn't, so they should honor that local majority...why are you able to disregard the areas of Central Ohio where a majority DID want it?

You're trying to draw a line just fine enough between state and local that it suits your argument, but not too fine that it would overreach it.

We don't want the state deciding, we want the city because its local...but we don't want the township or precinct deciding because that's too local.

ETA: For the record, if you can get a new amendment put on the ballot removing Franklin County from this...and it gets approved by a majority of Ohioans...great. I have no issue with that whatsoever.

Posted 2 years ago #
WestSIDEboy

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I agree that the whole thing was a part of our regular Ohio legal process and does need to be honored. Since the majority of westside residents actually do want a Casino, as reflected by last November's vote totals, it would be a great revitalizer for that part of the Hilltop and it would have direct freeway access, along with great visibility, and you wouldn't be having local residents constantly against them. Without the car plant there any more to actually think that it will ever again be home to major commerce is a pipe dream; this would bring the area back with something new and special. It would be the only part of the city that has a Casino and people would come from all over. This would also spur other building by way of places for people to stay and that.

Posted 2 years ago #
Schoolboy
Columbus
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Core_Models wrote >>
1. Walker's photo was carefully selected as the worst possible one that he could find. That's not what that casino looks like, and its not what the casino here would look like.
2. I don't know why you insist on saying its "generic" when you haven't seen anything in the way of plans yet...no one has. It could be, it could not be, no one knows.
Why should the rest of Central Ohio be completely off the hook when areas of Central Ohio clearly want the casino? Where exactly do you start drawing these lines of who wants it and who doesn't? My guess is, the answer to that question is "wherever they need to be drawn to get what I want".

wait? who has said it's generic or has posted pictures of false casinos? haven't seen walker do / say that.

i have in fact seen the latest and greatest blueprints, and i will say this. i'm impressed, very impressed. the 40-45 poker tables alone has me drooling. been to at least 80% of the casinos here in the midwest, and have yet to find one with as many poker tables as not including special tournaments.

Posted 2 years ago #