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To the Editor:
On behalf of my fellow community directors and alternates of the Sports Complex Special Services District — we speak out on an issue that affects all South Philadelphia families and businesses, not just those within closest proximity to the sports complex.
From all reports, on Nov. 18, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is expected to announce that 10th and Packer streets will be the site of the second Philadelphia casino license, Live! Hotel and Casino, an adjunct to Xfinity Live! This is deadly to us all.
Even now, the most immediate neighbors (three to 15 blocks) of the already congested sports complex area can not cope with the traffic, trash, noise, drunk drivers and headaches that a fully-operating four-venue complex has generated. Can anyone possibly tell us we can handle more and still survive?
It’s not just traffic and more crowds that we fear, but worse, the human suffering that a casino can render to those closest and most vulnerable to the false lure of gambling.
We need more quality schools, more libraries, more decent churches — surely not a casino. Anyone who wants a casino here is either making money from it or is simply completely unaware of the many negative consequences.
What about the fans who already pay high ticket prices, high parking prices, high concession prices, and who can barely leave the event on time? They are already forced to leave events early to beat unbearable traffic jams. They should join our fight that 10th and Packer is the worst possible location for a casino.
The Sports Complex Special Services District has worked very hard over the past 11 years with volunteer community leaders in the lead to help migrate many of the problems endangered by a very busy event complex. A casino thrown into the midst of all that is already here will surely push us all beyond the point where we can protect ourselves.
This is a very negative business in the worst location possible. Two wrongs will never be right!
Barbara Capozzi
District Two Community Director
on behalf of the community directors of the SCSSD
Contact the South Philly Review at editor@southphillyreview.com.
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