Foxwoods Casino plan awaits outcome of zoning talks

0 Comments | Philadelphia Inquirer, The, May, 2009 | by Jennifer Lin Inquirer Staff Writer

Plans to move the Foxwoods Casino into two floors of the old Strawbridge's building are stalled as the Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust tries to work out differences over zoning with the owner of seven floors of the building.

In testimony yesterday before City Council's Rules Committee, PREIT executive Chris Mrozinski said the trust was "making progress" in lease negotiations with Foxwoods.

But he added that "nothing had been resolved" between PREIT and Gramercy Capital Corp., owner of the seventh through 13th floors in the Center City building.

PREIT needs Council to change the zoning of the building to accommodate a casino. But Gramercy, which owns 40 percent of the building, objects.

Councilman Frank DiCicco said that until PREIT and Gramercy...