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Pocono News Section
New Casino Cashes In On Old Steel Land
New Casino Cashes In On Old Steel Land - Friday, May 22, 2009 at 6:00PM EST
BETHLEHEM, NORTHAMPTON COUNTY -- If you plan to do some gambling this weekend, you have another option. The Las Vegas Sands opened the Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem Friday. But the company plans to build more than just a casino.
The Sands is located on old Bethlehem Steel land. Some old steel buildings stand next to it. And the casino has plans for them too.
Many of the 3000 slots started spinning early Friday morning. Gamblers had high hopes. When asked "what do you hope to accomplish today?" Sandy Johnson of Laury’s Stations replied, “Millionaire and retire!"
But other folks came to admire the place. Steel beams. Gabbled ceiling. Even the name of a restaurant preserves this land's steel-making heritage. Kevin Toomey of Jim Thorpe says, "A lot of my friends' parents and grandparents worked for Bethlehem Steel. I think it’s nice they kept a lot of aspects of steel."
That was the goal according to the Sands President, Robert DeSalvio. "How can we respect the story of Bethlehem Steel. The story of building and defending America."
While guests come hoping to get lucky. City officials say they've already hit the jackpot. Mayor John Callahan says, "The casino has created construction jobs. 1,000 full-time jobs. 743 million dollar investment here and now host impact fee. So it’s exciting."
And there are bigger plans to turn old steel buildings into retail space and an arts center. Construction of a hotel is on hold until the economy improves. "Over time this will be one of the most exciting economic development projects in the country," he adds.
A lot of that development will depend on how well the casino does. Officials expect 14,000 people a day and perhaps more than that this Memorial Day weekend.
The Sands Bethlehem has four restaurants, including one owned by celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse. | | |
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