Denial of casino permit advised

0 Comments | Philadelphia Inquirer, The, April, 2008 | by Jennifer Lin Inquirer Staff Writer

Two federal regulators have recommended denying the SugarHouse casino a key permit for building into the Delaware River, while a third is asking for more information from the developer. The recommendations were stated in letters filed this month with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and obtained by The Inquirer under the Freedom of Information Act.

As SugarHouse wrangles with the city over the right to build on riparian land, it also needs federal permission to dredge, fill in more than an acre of water and build a stone embankment on the waterfront. The company was selected in December 2006 to build a 3,000-slots casino on 22 acres in Northern Liberties and Fishtown on the Delaware River, but has faced delays and court challenges on permits. Under the Clean Water Act, the...