Word: Roll the dice
January 16, 2009 at 5:22 pm by Scott Henry in NewsUnderground Atlanta executives announced last week that a gaming company has offered to spend $450 million to turn the downtown retail complex into a casino with video slot machines and a 29-story hotel.
“Casino gambling in neighboring states would take away from Georgia’s convention and tourism business. Let’s roll the dice. Georgia can’t afford not to.”
— Fulton Commissioner Robb Pitts, from a 1994 presentation titled “Gambling: On Georgia’s Mind”
“Statistics show that thousands of people from the Atlanta area travel weekly to venues that feature casinos and other games of chance.”
— Councilman Jim Maddox, from a 2003 resolution urging state lawmakers to allow gambling
“Let’s be courageous and allow the citizens of Georgia to vote the issue of legalizing casino gambling up or down!”
— Robb Pitts, from a Dec. 4 open letter to state lawmakers
“There’s a general sense that we’ll see gaming within the city limits and I concur.”
— Mayor Shirley Franklin, speaking to state lawmakers in November
January 16th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
I hate casinos, but Underground Atlanta is such an awful, useless tourist trap that even *I* think a casino would be an improvement.
January 17th, 2009 at 10:34 am
I agree with Christopher. Gut the whole area around Underground Atlanta and take the rift-raff,too. However, if the area is renovated and updated with casino gambling, what will keep the unsavory elements out? Five Points Marta station continues to be right there and it will eventually return to more of the same…..x 10. Reminder: Buckhead….a few years ago!
January 19th, 2009 at 10:30 am
I believe that this influx of money could really help out our city & bring more tourism to the area. Part of the problem with Downtown is the depleated population after 5pm. It would help businesses in the area and create more jobs~
January 27th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
In developing Underground yet again
1.It should be planned primarily by LOCAL people
2.It should take into considration the unique area around the site
GA State
The MARTA Station itself
The street vendors
(How many people know about the jewelry who sells his own earrings..sought out by tourists year after year)
The excellent selection of unique shoes from Walters to the Bootery
An appreciation for the braiding and nail shops
Don’t gut Underground. Add to it.
Also
If it is just machines then there WILL be a problem with kids who assemble at the MARTA Five Points Station.
I would really like to see a graduate class in hospitality at GA State with representives from the business music, history majors,and all who could have input based on a REAL USE NOW of the area.
Gut it and bring in machines and it will be a disaster.
Treat it as not so much upscale as
local color tourist, plus gaming..kind of like a Caribbean country could make it work.