Penn National Gaming is expected this week to identify one of five alternative sites to build its Hollywood Columbus Casino, 10TV's Kevin Landers reported Monday.
After public outcry, the gaming company is considering sites besides the Arena District.
The other possible locations include where Cooper Stadium is located, Westland Mall, the former Delphi plant, the Polaris area or the Scioto Downs area.
"I think in the next few days, we'll get a response from Penn National about the sites they are looking at," said Ohio State Rep. Ted Celeste, who is one of two house members who will write a resolution allowing the gaming company to move the casino from the Arena District location.
Sources told 10TV News that The Continent, an area that once housed shopping, restaurants and nightclubs, is a long shot.
"A realtor who works for the owner of The Continent has contacted Penn National," said David Cooper, chairman at Northland Alliance Inc. "They are in discussions on whether The Continent would be a site they would be interested in."
Once a casino site is selected, legislation will be introduced in both the Ohio House and Senate calling for a change in location. Both will hold three public hearings.
The House and Senate will vote on the legislation, requiring a 60 percent favorable vote by both.
Once the votes are completed, the Ohio Secretary of State must verify the results.
It all must be completed by Feb. 3 to be placed on the May 4 statewide ballot, Landers reported.
The new location would then need to be approved by voters, in order to move the casino location from the Arena District.
Celeste said that he is confident that lawmakers will make the deadline.
"I believe we have bipartisan support in both houses," Celeste said.
If a site is chosen outside the city, more hearings would need to be held to bring the property under Columbus' control, Landers reported.
Stay with 10TV News and 10TV.com for continuing coverage.
Previous Stories:
January 6, 2010:
Another Community Welcomes Columbus Casino
January 6, 2010:
Hilltop Residents Ponder Casino Addition
January 5, 2010:
Hilltop Could Be Warming Up To Casino
December 31, 2009:
Casino Developers Willing To Consider Alternatives To Arena District
December 28. 2009:
Group OK With Casino, But Not In Arena District
December 9, 2009:
Fight
Over Casino Goes To Statehouse
November 13, 2009:
See What
Columbus' Casino Will Look Like
November 4, 2009:
Casino
Developers Say They Will Keep Promises
