Several parts of the city have been mentioned as possible alternative sites for a Columbus casino, but one of those locations wants its name taken off the list.
Officials with ties to the Polaris area said Monday that they were not interested in seeing a casino built there, 10TV's Glenn McEntyre reported.
Trustees in Genoa Township, which is located adjacent to Polaris, have sent a letter to the City of Columbus, voicing opposition to a casino.
"We do not believe the Polaris area is an appropriate fit for this casino," said Rick Carfagna, Genoa Township trustee.
Carfagna and others cite traffic as one of the reasons why a casino in the area would be a bad idea.
"When the (Polaris) amphitheater was there, we had enough problems with the noise and the traffic," Carfagna said, but at least that was on a seasonal basis.
"With the casino, you're talking about traffic now on a year-round basis, probably on a 24-hour basis. It's just going to cause a whole host of problems."
Officials in nearby Westerville and Orange Township have also voiced opposition to a casino at Polaris.
Some with knowledge of discussions with casino developer Penn National said Monday that a decision on a casino site could come by the middle part of the week, McEntyre reported.
While voters approved an amendment to the state constitution that allows a casino in the Arena District, Cooper Stadium, the old Delphi Plant, Westland Mall and Scioto Downs have all been mentioned as other possibilities.
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.
The new location would then need to be approved by voters, in order to move the casino location from the Arena District.
Watch 10TV News and refresh 10TV.com for continuing coverage.
Previous Stories:
January 12, 2009:
Columbus Casino Site Could Be Announced Midweek
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
