Friday, March 24, 2006

"Two months later, most of those questions have not been answered.

"At a meeting last week, Boyd officials shed some light on several of the pressing issues facing area residents.

"For example, would a Las Vegas-based company that owns casinos the likes of the Borgata in Atlantic City and has six major projects currently in the works around the country find its way to a big field along Route 422 between Pottstown and Royersford?

"Blake Cumbers, vice president of development for Boyd, said that like real estate, the top three factors in siting a casino are location, location, location.

"…Cumbers said Boyd discovered Chelsea's proposal for the Philadelphia Premium Outlets only after the gaming company settled on Limerick. The site is insulated from the potential threat of expanded gaming in neighboring states because it is far enough away from state lines, he said.

"…Boyd is projecting 65 percent of its patrons to come from the Philadelphia area, where casino-goers will have the option of an hour-and-a-half commute to Atlantic City, N.J., or a 45-minute drive to Limerick. Except for table games, the Limerick site would offer plenty of similar amenities in addition to Chelsea's massive high-end retail outlet center, which features more than twice the amount of shops in Atlantic City.

"When the project, which is planned in phases, is finished, the result will be a $650 million casino, hotel and conference center. There will be 600 hotel rooms and suites, 5,000 slot machines, seven restaurants, meeting and convention facilities, retail shops, an entertainment lounge and a parking garage…"