The public was given a chance to see the renderings of the Hollywood Casino Columbus (OH) at a West Side open house last night. The casino is schedule

First look at the West Side casino | The Columbus Dispatch


First look at the West Side casino

Architect's renderings give a taste of the Penn National project

Friday, November 5, 2010 02:53 AM
By Dan Gearino



THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

THE MILENTHAL GROUP
The public was given a chance to see the renderings of the Hollywood Casino Columbus at a West Side open house last night. The casino is scheduled to open in mid-2012.






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Even critics of the planned West Side casino liked what they saw yesterday after getting a first look at an architect's renderings of the planned Hollywood Casino Columbus.
"That's impressive," said Karen Buckley, a West Side resident, looking at the proposed entrance.
She has lived in the neighborhood for 44 years and voted against both constitutional amendments that paved the way for the new gambling complex.
Construction is expected to begin early next year, and the casino is scheduled to open in mid-2012. The $400 million project will have green space, ponds, an RV park and open space that leaves room for a potential hotel. Penn National Gaming is developing the 123-acre site near Georgesville Road and W. Broad Street, taking the place of the former Delphi auto-parts factory.

"The building is going to absolutely add value to this area," said Chris Haydocy, co-owner of Haydocy Buick GMC on the West Side and a leading supporter of the project. His business hosted an open house last night where the renderings and other plans were displayed.
Earlier yesterday, some visitors to the nearby Westland Mall got a chance to look at the drawings.
"It doesn't look trashy," said Ann Troyer of Grove City, who is Buckley's daughter.
Like many current and former West Side residents, Troyer hopes the new construction will revitalize the neighborhood. The mall is one of many once-thriving retail areas that has fallen on hard times, with vacant storefronts and a largely empty parking lot.
The "Hollywood" name is one that Penn National has used at several other sites, including the one in Lawrenceburg, Ind., near Cincinnati, and the one planned for Toledo.
The 300,000-square-foot casino would be a single-story building with about 3,000 slot machines, 70 table games, a poker room and restaurants. The tallest point would be a five-story parking garage south of the casino.
There is room for a potential hotel northeast of the casino, although the area is labeled now as an open field.
The RV park, which would hold 137 vehicles, would be on the far east end of the complex.
Residents of the housing development south of the casino had raised concerns about noise and light pollution. In response, the company has agreed to build a 12-foot berm along the southeast border of the property.
Penn National estimates the project will lead to 2,000 jobs, not including 3,500 jobs related to construction. At least 90 percent of the jobs will be designated for central Ohio residents, the company said.
One unresolved issue is whether local governments will offer any economic-development incentives. Penn National has requested city and county tax breaks that could be worth about $10 million. Several Columbus City Council members have said they are reluctant to consider incentives.
This is one of a small number of disagreements that remain after a contentious process that allowed casino gambling in Ohio. Last year, voters approved a constitutional amendment to allow construction of casinos at specific sites in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo.
The Columbus casino, originally slated for the Arena District, came under fire from local government and business leaders. In response, Penn National agreed to move to the West Side site if voters approved a constitutional amendment allowing that, a measure that passed this year.
Right now, the site is a field of dirt and gravel as the date for the groundbreaking nears. And that is the best possible news for the neighborhood, Haydocy said.
"This would stay empty for 30 years if not for Penn's investment."
 
Re: The public was given a chance to see the renderings of the Hollywood Casino Columbus (OH) at a West Side open house last night. The casino is scheduled to open in mid-2012

Not a great side of town to say the least. Alot of gang activity in the area.

The mall across the street is basically dead,not many people go to that part of town anymore except the mexicans.

Many nicer places available for this type of place to go into.

Maybe the drug money will keep it afloat.
 
Re: The public was given a chance to see the renderings of the Hollywood Casino Columbus (OH) at a West Side open house last night. The casino is scheduled to open in mid-2012

i'll definitley be going there
 
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