Sugarhouse Casino will officially open its doors on the Delaware waterfront today, straddling the border of Fishtown and Northern Liberties and the beginning of the era of legalized gambling in Philadelphia.
Casino supporters say the game room will be an economic engine that will revitalize the city. Opponents say that the introduction of gambling in the inner city is like putting a match to dry tinder ignite may have problems with money, relationships and employment.
But the debate is over. The casino is here. The two sides must live side by side.
"There is a lot of confidence from one side to another," said Harris Sokoloff, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania and director of faculty for the Penn Project on civic engagement. "But if they worked to build trust, which could create something very few places have been created."
Ruben Mateo, president of the Northern Liberties Neighbors said the task of organization is the same: to work for the protection of the community and quality of life. That is why they will be following closely in the casino.
"I hope the best Sugarhouse predictions come true and the worst is, but we have to monitor the situation for negative impacts are minimized," he said. "Nobody knows how it will play yet."
Ruben organization strongly opposes the opening of the casino. Still do not believe the game will have as positive an economic impact in the area as proponents claim.
"Looking around the country, the only thing that comes out of reports and the scholarship is that casinos do not deliver what they promise," he said. "I'm not sure if that is negative or not as positive as they say. Only time will tell."
Alana neighbors Litwak, 58, of Fishtown, have two main concerns: traffic and crime. crimes and evil, he said, and notable traffic in recent months - including the murder of June, a half block north of Northern Liberties, 20 years old, Sabina O'Donnell rose by a man who was allegedly interested in stealing your bike - that people on the edge.
"The city needs to be more creative in attracting companies instead of going to the lowest common denominator," he said. "I can not imagine being here."
For its part, Sugarhouse has purchased goodwill money casinos better understand: cash.
Until now, the casino has given $ 175,000 to the University of Pennsylvania Treaty Special Services District, created to distribute money from the casino to organizations in the surrounding neighborhoods.
More money is coming, and the district hopes to get $ 1 million annually from casino 2012.
This week, the gaming product in two days of test runs went to four local charities, including those that help cancer patients and the families of dead police officers.
"If it generates money and positive things for this community, why not?" Northern Liberties residents asked Thomas Sprott, 29, who has spent most of his life in the neighborhood. "People are afraid of change."
Sprott and two friends were enjoying a coffee in an outdoor cafe a few blocks from the casino on Monday, the first day of its soft opening. The three sites said they were concerned about increased crime and traffic casino opponents say are imminent.
"As long as he does not draw a steady stream of zombie thieves crack addict, all is well," said Jessica Marino, 33, of Fishtown.
Alina said Wray, 28, another resident of Fishtown, "If there are more police, that's good. I do not mind being bored at 3 in the morning and going to throw some dice."
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