Mt. Airy Casino Moves Ahead

Casino took another step forward Tuesday night, as the Paradise Township Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve the preliminary land development plan for the first phase of a $360 million plan to redevelop the site of the former Mt. Airy Lodge.

"This action keeps us moving ahead as we seek to secure a gaming license for the region," said Louis A. DeNaples, the northeastern Pennsylvania businessman who owns Mount Airy. "We will continue to work with Paradise Township to ensure Mount Airy Resort & Casino meets the needs of the community and complements - not competes with - existing businesses and attractions in the Poconos."

Phase I of the redevelopment plan calls for the construction of a 200-room luxury resort hotel, a gaming and entertainment complex that would house 3,000 slot machines, four restaurants, two live entertainment lounges, an 18-hole championship golf course, an indoor pool, spa, retail shops, and a covered parking facility.

Phase I construction is estimated at $300 million, which would be followed in Phase II with an expanded casino to accommodate a total of 5,000 slot machines, an additional 200 luxury hotel rooms, and additional conference, entertainment and parking facilities. The plan also provides nearly 550 acres of green space.

The Supervisors attached a number of conditions to its vote. Conditions include securing local, county, state, and federal permits before construction and signing of a developer's agreement outlining the process by which Paradise Township will take over Woodland Road from the state.

Mount Airy is expected to open in the Fall of 2007 after the first phase of construction is completed. The resort will be run by a world-class team of gaming industry executives led by Paul Henderson, the former President and Chief Operating Officer of Caesars Atlantic City, the Atlantic City Hilton, and Trump Marina Hotel and Casino. The operations team has worked at more than 50 casinos and gaming companies worldwide, and has an extensive background in the development, design, opening and operation of gaming facilities.

2006-06-07