Here's an idea that's made of win

**hammersklavier** · 11-22-2010, 06:41 PM

America’s Flagship Wants Stalled Foxwoods Casino Site

Read more: America’s Flagship Wants Stalled Foxwoods Casino Site « CBS Philly – News, Sports, Weather, Traffic and the Best of Philadelphia

The SS United States wants to be the Foxwoods casino site along the Delaware River. The Conservancy dedicated to restoring America’s fastest ocean liner was expected to release detailed plans on Monday for developing a multi-purpose waterfront complex, complete with hotel rooms, restaurants and gambling space.

A detailed feasibility study was expected to be unveiled on Monday on a proposal to incorporate the SS United States into a larger multi-purpose complex along the Delaware River between Reed and Tasker Streets in South Philadelphia.

Dan McSweeney is the executive director of the SS United States Conservancy:

‘”We think it solves a lot of problems for the city and it ultimately saves the ship which is our ultimate goal. Clearly there have been issues with the Foxwoods casino and we think a potential idea is to put a casino on the ship as part of a multi-tier, multi-purpose complex, and clearly we are very concerned with how the community feels about the whole situation we are going to engage with local community advocate with city officials etc.”

This announcement comes while Harrah’s entertainment is working on closing a deal to take over the stalled Foxwoods casino project by December 10th, which is a new state deadline.

This idea is so made of win! It solves the casino problem and the S.S. U.S. problem in one fell stroke!

**phillyaggie** · 11-22-2010, 10:50 PM

compared to the really craptacular "Horseshoe" plan by Harrah's, this is about 1,000,000x better. You know why? Because it at least has an ambition of being a destination concept. I like that their concept talks about a mix of uses, talks about utilizing the ship and having it being an attention grabber, and just maximizing the potential.

The "Horseshoe" looks to be worse than the casino barn upriver from this site. Even more embarrassing is to know that a "Horseshoe" casino in Bossier City/Shreveport, in northern Louisiana (basically, in the middle of nowhere) is way better executed than this concept in Philly, a city and a market immensely bigger than Nowhere, Louisiana. Take a look at the pics of the Louisiana casino...kinda looks like a premium Vegas strip hotel/casino, and welcomes clients from several surrounding states... ie, it's a destination.

**Brian616** · 11-23-2010, 10:42 AM

Such a great idea. I would never step foot inside the "Horsehoe", but this? I'd go at least once. I'm sure a lot of people feel the same way.

Now, how will the involved parties manage to screw it up?

**Politburo** · 11-23-2010, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by Brian616

Now, how will the involved parties manage to screw it up?

The developers are currently not interested in the plan..

Harrah’s, Foxwoods not biting on SS United States proposal | Philadelphia Inquirer | 11/22/2010

**eldondre** · 11-23-2010, 01:56 PM

you see the buildings on the right of the rendering? that's the ass end of wal-mart and home depot. rebid this project.

**phillyaggie** · 11-23-2010, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by eldondre

you see the buildings on the right of the rendering? that's the ass end of wal-mart and home depot. rebid this project.

I don't know that just that fact would be a deal killer.

**desolate** · 11-23-2010, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by phillyaggie

I don't know that just that fact would be a deal killer.

I don't see how the neighborhng private properties affect this development at all.

**eldondre** · 11-23-2010, 02:34 PM

Originally Posted by phillyaggie

I don't know that just that fact would be a deal killer.

the location sucks. kill it, move it.

**hammersklavier** · 11-23-2010, 02:53 PM

The only thing better location-wise IMO would be to move it closer to Center City. That swath of riverfront between the bottom of Penn's Landing and the Dockside (or whatever it's called) condos looks more than 1000 feet long, and if we already have dredgers around here, it'll be easy to dredge the ruins that remain of the piers that used to be there out of existence. In addition, the parking garage/interim facility would be located across Del Ave.

As it is, if Nutter & Co. jump on board with the Lenfest + Conservancy proposal, that should be more than enough to capsize Foxwoods-Harrah's "Horseshoe"'s rather fragile boat. The news didn't shock me one bit. All is going to plan. Heh heh.

**elzblz** · 12-16-2010, 12:16 PM

THis could have a chance now!

Pa. regulators revoke Foxwoods Casino license | 6abc.com

**fiveomar** · 12-16-2010, 01:20 PM

I love how popular this plan is with everyone. I'm really hoping this comes alive. What an attraction that would be for the city. Now we all need to show our support to make this happen.

**desolate** · 12-16-2010, 04:31 PM

Dead... ultra dead. No second casino for Philly. Enjoy that brownfield CasiNO. You helped keep it there.

**CityMaps** · 12-16-2010, 07:38 PM

Good, now the port (or related commerce) can expand there.

**DCnPhilly** · 12-20-2010, 03:15 PM

The second casino is really dead? Can't they seek out another company for the other available license?

Way to go Foxwoods.

**raider.adam** · 12-20-2010, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by DCnPhilly

The second casino is really dead? Can't they seek out another company for the other available license?

Way to go Foxwoods.

I would assume it wouldn't be official unless it came from Harrisburg. Was Philly having two casinos in the gaming legislation? If so, it means the gaming board has to find a new person.

**hammersklavier** · 12-20-2010, 09:31 PM

There has to be something in the legislation that says that the normal ten-mile exclusion zone does not apply within the City of Philadelphia or something like that--anyway the gist of it is is that it's not so much said as implied that Philadelphia would have multiple casinos close to one another.

In any event, the Philadelphia market is too potentially lucrative--and the Lenfest proposal (despite its high initial capital) would maximize the market potential. I bet that multiple bid proposals utilizing the S.S. U.S. are being penned out over in Vegas.

**modernstyler** · 05-13-2012, 12:05 PM

I wonder if there's any update to this project? Despite the for and against SS US, it still boils down to the highest bidder wins? Foxwoods is still a for-profit business end of the day

**DCnPhilly** · 05-13-2012, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by modernstyler

I wonder if there's any update to this project? Despite the for and against SS US, it still boils down to the highest bidder wins? Foxwoods is still a for-profit business end of the day

I would assume Blatstein is seeking out the other casino license for his North Broad project. As far as I know Foxwoods is dead in Philly. The SS US would have made a great casino/hotel complex, and considering where it would need to be docked it probably wouldn't annoy any NIMBYs.

**phillyaggie** · 05-13-2012, 01:20 PM

This was perhaps the best and grandest idea for having a casino in Philly that also saves a historic structure and creates a new type of destination in this tourist economy which would attract a different set. Obviously it was too grand for Philly's abilities (or tastes).

**phillyaggie** · 05-13-2012, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by DCnPhilly

I would assume Blatstein is seeking out the other casino license for his North Broad project. As far as I know Foxwoods is dead in Philly. The SS US would have made a great casino/hotel complex, and considering where it would need to be docked it probably wouldn't annoy any NIMBYs.

I truly *hope* that the Blatstein "plan" is a non-starter and was floated in order to seek something else much less stupid. His plan as proposed has like 3 giant garages, and a casino within a few hundred yards of public schools and other social institutions. It's not going to fly.