Blatstein Unveils Plans for Casino Complex on North Broad Street

Tonight Developer Bart Blatstein plans to unveil what many optimistic risky thinking pro-development enthusiast have been waiting for.  He will unveil plans for his proposed "world-class resort and casino complex" at the site of the former Daily News and Inquirer offices on North Broad Street.  Tower Investments will present the architectural renderings for the project tonight at Tendenza at the Piazza on 2nd Street in Northern Liberties.

Not everyone of course if celebrating.  Neighborhood associations in Callowhill and Chinatown are opposed to the casino due to concerns about the impact a casino will have on surrounding communities, whether it's traffic, parking, crime and safety, or consistent development for North Broad.  As we remember the days of Sugar House and Foxwoods Casinos and the attached opposition by many Philadelphia residents, you may wonder why Blatstein is so confident his vision will win over or soften the opinions of these passionate NIMBY's.

Many however believe like myself, that this project would be an appropriate addition to North Broad Street, given only that Blatstein is committed to fully following through with the entire expansion of the project.  I personally have a big problem with these large phased in projects like Sugar House that may potentially never see a hotel, retail, restaurants and concealed parking.  Blatstein has a unique location, much better than the Gallery Mall and Delaware Ave., supported by an avenue already boasting with development proposals and growth. North Broad street perhaps is being molded into Philadelphia's next entertainment district, opposite the theatre district with the convention center, a slew of hotel proposals, casino, emerging restaurant scene, numerous residential projects and maybe a retail sector, mending the gap between emerging neighborhoods like Fairmount, Spring Garden, Northern Liberties, Chinatown, Temple University and Lower North Philadelphia, and a sea of development potential in Callowhill.

PhillyShark will keep you updated on the release of the Development Plans.

Source: Philly.com