CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Ground will likely be broken next Spring on a $250 million casino at Broadway Commons in Downtown Cincinnati.
That's because Ohio voters approved Issue 3 on Tuesday, which allows casinos to be built in Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland and Toledo.
Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune declared that November 3, 2009 will be recorded as a defining moment in the history of the county and City of Cincinnati, since anticipated annual revenue for the cash-strapped entities will be $22 million for the city and $14 million for the county.
Leaders of the Cincinnati area's construction trades say they are delighted at the prospect of building the 300,000 square foot structure, since 90% of the jobs will come from local firms.
About 5,000 workers will be needed to construct the casino and operate it when it opens in 2012.
"It is very good news," said Doug Sizemore, executive director of the Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council. His organization represents 128 unions with 100,000 members.
Sizemore added that the casino project will allow more workers to become involved in the construction trades.
"It's a great opportunity to create new jobs that help people get employment," he stated.
Dave Miller, vice president of Citizens for Community Values (CCV), disagreed.
He plans to ask the Ohio General Assembly to fix loopholes that exist in the amendment to the Ohio Constitution.
CCV leaders are concerned about gambling addiction and an increase in crime that the casino would produce.
Issue 3 includes money for gambling addiction treatment and law enforcement, but Miller says the amount needs to be increased.
"I think that would minimize the harm that casinos will bring on the state," he stated. "It would truly help economically – if that really is possible – to provide money to pay for the harms that are going to come from these casinos."
Much of the support for Issue 3 came from citizens who didn't want to see Ohio money leave the Buckeye State for Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia – states that long ago approved casino gambling.
Backers estimated $1 billion a year left Ohio.
Besides jobs, taxes and construction, the Queen City Casino may result in additional development around Broadway Commons, which is bordered by Broadway, Court Street, Gilbert Avenue and Reading Road.
That, says Sizemore, could boost tourism. He has an interest in that area as a member of the Cincinnati Convention & Visitors Bureau, who has helped bring labor conventions to town.
"A lot of times when conventioneers come in they'll want to know the proper process to get a bus to go over to the casino over in Lawrenceburg," he said. "So, we see this as being able – when people come here to this city to attend conventions – to help keep them here and help keep their money here."
