Nov 13, 2008 11:30 pm US/Eastern
Center City Slots One Step Closer To Reality
Council Approves Key Legislation
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
Philadelphia City Council has approved two pieces of legislation that could help Foxwoods build a slots parlor at the Gallery, the city's downtown shopping mall.
Before the vote could even be announced, opponents of the measure shouted out in City Hall. The vote was largely a foregone conclusion. Both Mayor Michael Nutter and Gov. Ed Rendell have expressed support for the Center City location.
Frustrated community members gathered at City Hall Wednesday to show their opposition to the proposal.
Neighborhood groups were joined by faith communities in asking Mayor Nutter to halt zoning legislation that would allow Foxwoods to build a slots parlor near 9th and Market Streets.
One church delivered a petition with 23,000 signatures opposing the project at the current site of The Gallery Mall and SEPTA's Market East station. Opponents to the legislation said they have been collecting nearly 5,000 signatures a day.
Mayor Nutter accepted a massive stack of signatures at City Hall Wednesday.
Despite the hopes of opponents, City Council approved zoning changes that were needed to build the casino.
Foxwoods has been looking to build a casino in Philadelphia since being granted licenses by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board in 2006.
Chinatown residents have been in strong opposition to the Center City proposal since it was announced in September. Foxwoods still needs to submit a plan of development to City Hall and get approval from the state Gaming Board.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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