See What to Expect from Philadelphia's Second Casino

The city planning commission approved the master plan this past Tuesday for Live! Hotel & Casino with some adjustments, including the elimination of two large-scale digital billboards. Philadelphia Business Journal reported that the $500 million project will span 2 million-square-feet with a Las Vegas-style casino floor, over 2,000 slot machines, and more than 125 table games. There are also plans for an 18-story, 300-room hotel, a spa, and a seven-story, 3,000-square-foot parking garage with valet parking. The garage will house over 3,000 spaces. Each of the hotel's guest rooms will span approximately 400-square-feet. Other amenities will also be included like restaurants and entertainment venues. Philadelphia Business Journal further reported that the project is required to have a signage plan, public art, lighting levels in conformance with codes, and a landscape with a specific use of trees and plants. Above the parking garage, there will also be nearly 4.5 acres of rooftop green space, which will not be open to events and will satisfy storm water requirements. The development is expected to generate more than $300 million a year and over $1.6 billion in the first five years.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board still needs to give final gaming approval for the project. Since the city planning commission's approval of the project, Councilman Kenyatta Johnson introduced the first bill for the casino. According to NewsWorks, he hopes for construction to begin as soon as possible. One of the issues that is causing construction to be delayed is an appeal filed against the Gaming Control Board's decision to award the casino license. PlanPhilly also reported that the City Council will have to approve a bill rezoning the site to a special gaming district.

· Commission approves master plan for South Philly casino [PlanPhilly]
· City Planning Commission OK's Philly's 2nd casino [Philadelphia Business Journal]
· First bill for 2nd Philly casino started in city council [NewsWorks]