Center officials talk about a casino project | News, Sports, Jobs
BELLEFONTE — The Center County Board of Commissioners was asked about a mini-casino set to open in the former Macy’s department store at State College’s Nittany Mall in the future.
At Tuesday’s meeting, the commissioners were asked about the status of the project.
President Michael Pipe noted that the project is a “local matter”.
“Not unless it was put on the game’s website or whatever was reported in the media,” Pipe talked about the progress of the project, which has been in the works for a few years. “We had no say in the process. It’s purely a local affair in terms of College Township and the planning they do for it.
Pipe said the commissioners had not been “put in the loop on anything.”
Public comment on the proposed Category 4 Casino at Nittany Mall ended on June 12, 2022.
According to a press release, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has decided to end the public comment period because “Council believes sufficient time has passed to receive adequate public comment on the matter. This period began on July 21, 2021, prior to a public comment hearing in College Township on August 16 of that year. The board had previously decided that due to special circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the public comment period would remain open.
The next step would be a public hearing. However, the board has yet to set a date for a public hearing, which would be held in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. At the hearing, representatives of SC Gaming Op Co. LLC and the PGCB Enforcement Attorney’s Office will offer any updated evidence and make oral statements. argument as to whether the license should be granted.
In September 2021, College Township approved a land development plan for the proposed casino at the mall’s former Macy’s property.
Few major alterations are planned for the exterior of the 94,000 square foot building, which is expected to house 750 slot machines, 30 table games and sportsbooks inside, as well as a restaurant, bar, multi- outlet, quick service food and beverage area.
Investor and former Penn State administrator Ira Lubert won a $10 million bid at an auction in September 2020 for a new license for a Category 4 casino that would be located in Center County . In January, Bally’s Corporation announced that it had signed an agreement with Lubert to develop the planned $123 million mini-casino. In March, SC Gaming Op Co. LLC, the entity formed by Lubert to develop the casino, submitted an application and local impact report identifying the College Township Mall anchor as its location.
The casino is expected to breathe new life into the Nittany Mall. Upon entering the former location of Macy’s, the casino would become an anchor, along with Dunham’s Sporting Goods, Gabe’s and Rural King. If approved, the casino would become a sizeable employer in Center County. The development and construction should create, in the short term, 350 direct full-time equivalent jobs and 170 indirect jobs. Additionally, there will be a net one-time economic impact of $43.6 million for College Township and $61.4 million for Center County.
The casino is expected to employ 350 to 400 full-time equivalent positions, providing a “Very competitive compensation and benefits.”
The report forecasts $121.6 million in direct and indirect annual economic benefits to the township’s economy. In Center County, the study estimates the annual economic impact at $164 million, supporting 740 jobs.
Host municipalities and counties receive 2% of a casino’s slot machine revenue and 1% of table game and sports betting revenue.
The impact study estimates that gaming revenue and taxes would bring College Township $1.6 million in the first year of operation and $2 million upon stabilization.
If licensing approvals are granted, construction of the casino is expected to take about a year. At present, the Macy’s signage remains and all doors and windows have been covered.
There has been some opposition to the proposed casino. A Facebook group called Say No Casino-Nittany Mall has over 220 members. An online petition opposing the project has over 800 signatures, although many are anonymous and there is no way to confirm whether those who have “sign” reside in the Center Region.
In addition to the casino, the Nittany Mall continues to see signs of life. A new restaurant, Ville Billy’s, opened in the spring. Now, a regional chain of tire stores and auto services is set to move into the former Sears Auto Center next to the mall.
Bloomsburg-based Steve Shannon Tire and Auto and Mall owner Nittany Center Realty recently sought approval from College Township to subdivide the lot at 183 Shiloh Road, where Sears Auto Center operated from 1998 until its closing in December 2019.
Steve Shannon has 31 locations in Pennsylvania and New York, including one in Lock Haven.
The Center County Board of Commissioners will meet again at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5 at the Willowbank Building. The meeting is open to the public and will also be broadcast live by C-NET.