Just like we warned you this morning, Mayor Nutter and a bunch of suits from SugarHouse got together this morning to reveal this bit of wonderful news: SugarHouse will be opening an “interim casino” inside of about a year. What the Total Bullshit Campaign Promise is an “interm casino,” you ask? Well, to us, it sounds like a fucking strip mall minus Radio Shack or Ho Sai Gai or anything else that would ever make a strip mall useful — it’s all one story, 1,700 slots (you heard me, Grandma!) and, uh, we will bet you five American dollars it winds up looking like a Panera Bread store. Gross. And of course, Nutter’s totally on board. Thanks, Dude. Thanks a lot.
UPDATE: After the jump, Hizzoner’s statement.

MAYOR’S OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
Tuesday, April 6, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MAYOR NUTTER WELCOMES PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS TO SUGARHOUSE CASINO DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Philadelphia, April 6 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter today welcomed the filing of a petition by SugarHouse with the PA Gaming Control Board seeking approval of modifications to HSP Gaming’s Approved Development Plan for a casino on the waterfront.

“It is in all of our interests – and the interests of the taxpayers – to get this facility open as quickly as possible,” said Mayor Nutter. “The reason is quite simple – the construction and opening of this new casino will bring with it hundreds of much-needed jobs, and millions of dollars in revenue to the City of Philadelphia. There is always disagreement about any major development, but surely we can agree that now is the time when we desperately need these jobs and investment.”

The construction of the initial interim facility – a building which will become part of the final casino – will create 500 construction jobs. When that facility opens in 2010 it will open with 500 permanent employees. The full build-out will create another 600 constructions jobs and 500-600 additional employees to work in the casino. SugarHouse projects that the interim facility will bring almost $11 million in host fees to the City annually beginning next year and when the full build-out is complete that increases to almost $18 million each year.

The proposed modified facility incorporates design changes sought by the Nutter Administration.

“I have always said that if the SugarHouse casino is to build at its current site on the waterfront then we would need to see some changes to the design of the facility,” said Nutter. “I had concerns about the impact of the original design on traffic, congestion, the nearby community, and the long-term development of the waterfront. Changes have been proposed by SugarHouse and my Administration supports the concept drawings in the proposed SugarHouse plan modifications and we will do everything within our power to assist SugarHouse’s efforts to move forward with this design and to open an interim facility by this time next year. These are changes that we sought, and I want to express my appreciation to SugarHouse for listening to our ideas and working with us. I am very pleased that changes were made to the original design.”

“The bottom line is this – the construction of this casino will create 500 jobs right now, and when it opens next year there will be another 500 permanent jobs created. The casino will generate millions in revenue for the City every year – money that we can invest in public safety, education, job creation, and economic development. Those jobs and that investment are what this City needs right now, and my Administration stands ready to do whatever it takes to bring them to Philadelphia as soon as possible.”

This entry was posted on Monday, April 6th, 2009 at 3:15 pm.