MAYOR NUTTER: WE CAN’T AFFORD A LIBRARY, SO WE ASKED OBAMA FOR $125 MILLION FOR A CASINO.
IT’S HARD TO imagine how answering a call to revitalize American cities could go wrong for Philadelphia, but somehow it happened.
Last month, the Nutter administration submitted a $2.6 billion wish list for President-elect Obama’s economic stimulus package. Out of 400 cities, Philadelphia ranked No. 2 in the amount of money requested. And second on the city’s list (in dollars) was $125 million for the redevelopment of Market East in anticipation of a proposed casino.
“We can’t have libraries in low-income neighborhoods, but we are determined to put a slots parlor in center city’s largest and busiest underground concourse, where children roam at all hours of the day.”
Never mind that city officials rushed through a rezoning process saying the casino itself would be the catalyst for development in the area. Never mind that four months later, there isn’t even a plan in place.
As one city official explained it: “We just want to make sure the opportunity for funding doesn’t go away just because the project’s not ready to be defined.”
“Entertainment for out-of-town visitors is much more important than public services for people who live here, especially poor and working class people.”
It’s not only Philadelphians who raised an eyebrow at that logic. Earlier this month, national GOP leaders flagged the development as a prime example of a pork-laden stimulus package. It also got top billing in the Washington Post and on CNBC, which ridiculed the request.
As one TV commentator put it: “These projects are supposedly shovel-ready. The question is what are they shoveling?”
“Hello, Senators! my name is Michael Nutter and I’m here to tell you that everything you’ve heard about Philadelphia’s reputation for corruption and bad city management is absolutely true. Can I have some money?”
While the city has been quick to add up supposed revenue, it has budgeted zero costs. The mayor said he wouldn’t even pay for added public safety since he expects the casino to pay for it.
Turns out that even the city doesn’t believe its own hype because we’re apparently hoping U.S. taxpayers will foot the bill.
This includes:
* $100 million in infrastructure, acquisition and construction costs.
* $25 million in public safety costs for the “Casino Entertainment Corridor.”
Now, if we’re paying for this development with our tax dollars, remind me again why we need a slots house on top of the Gallery? And if Philadelphia doesn’t get that $125 million for the casino corridor, what then? Who pays for this development and what are we getting for our money?
“Don’t see it as losing 11 libraries or denying low-income kids a future. Focus more on the shiney jingling noise the slots parlor makes. I mean, just look at all those lights! Even you could be a millionaire if it;’s your lucky night!”
Meanwhile, the city is crunched for financial and human resources. The mayor apologizes for not making time to meet and talk about issues like library closings. How then does a “casino corridor” with no plans (and maybe insufficient financing) eat up so much time and city resources?
Silly helen, you just don’t understand the city’s priorities like the Mayor does. We don’t need an educated workforce or a safe, publci after-school resource for kids. Our school district is in excellent shape! No what we need is people to come play slots machines!
BUT IN Philadelphia, placing slots atop the central transit line at a prime youth hangout where everyone is a SEPTA fare away is asking for trouble on a scale that no U.S. city has dared. And as the casino industry tanks nationwide, the city stubbornly continues to hitch its wagon to this crapshoot, wasting time and resources and earning itself a sorry national reputation to boot.
In these times, we need stimulus dollars for investments in energy, education and sustainable economic development. But rather than make a compelling case for the city’s future, it feels like our leaders squandered a chance to put forth a thoughtful vision.
Welcome to Philadelphia, corrupt and contented. At least in Room 215 at City Hall.
January 15th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
[...] read this … http://brendancalling.com/2009/01/15/mayor-nutter-we-cant-afford-a-library-so-we-asked-obama-for-125... In short. The City of Philadelphia is 2nd on the list of what cities are asking for the most money [...]
January 15th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
[...] post by Brendan Calling 15 January 2009 in Casino Orleans [...]