Officials will ask the state for up to $3 million in Clean Ohio Revitalization funds to clean up the former Delphi auto parts plant off of West Broad Street, 10TV's Danielle Elias
The move comes after the city council voted on Monday to change its agreement regarding the casino project and said the Penn National Gaming will not receive city services unless it annexes into Columbus.
The gaming company is considering digging its own wells for water and also asked the city for tax incentives, but the city said that was not part of the original agreement.
SLIDESHOW: Images Of Casino Renderings
"Their promise was an unconditional annexation to the city of Columbus if they move the casino to the Delphi site," said Mayor Michael Coleman.
The company planned to annex the 130-acre site from Franklin Township as part of the plan to move the casino location from the Arena District, but a spokesman said the company's view of tax incentives changed once they agreed to the move to the west side.
Penn National Gaming Spokesman Bob Tenebaum said the city is using water and sewer services as leverage, Elias reported.
"What it appears to us is that the city's negotiating stance is, 'We're going to try to bully Penn National," said company spokesman Bob Tenenbaum. "The argument here seems to be on Penn National's request to be treated like any other development, who comes to a city and says, 'Look I'd like to invest $400 million in your city and create 2,000 jobs, I'd like to discuss with you some tax incentives."
If the company annexes the land, the city would receive an estimated $60 million in tax revenue.
"Hopefully this will expedite the process of getting shovels in the ground and creating jobs," Coleman said.
Despite the ongoing debate, Penn National says it still plans to open the casino in 2012.
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Previous Stories:
November 4, 2010:
Developers Unveil Plans For West Side Casino
October 10, 2010:
Strickland Picks 7 People To Oversee Ohio Casinos
August 25, 2010:
Public Input Sought On Casino Street Renderings
August 10, 2010:
Clean Up At Future Casino Site Under Way
May 5, 2010:
Supporters Hope Casino Brings Jobs, Redevelopment To West Side
April 29, 2010:
Issue 2 Supporters Betting On New Casino Site
April 5, 2010:
Casino Backers Want To Be Ready To Build On West Side
March 16, 2010: Suppor
ters
Kick Off Rally For Columbus Casino
March 8, 2010:
Columbus Casino's Owners Finalize Deal For Beulah Park
January 25, 2010:
Study Shows Columbus Casino Could Cost County Millions
January 20, 2010:
Pitch Begins To Move Casino To West Side
January 19, 2010:
Casino's Owners Select Land At Former Delphi Plant
January 19, 2010:
West Side Looks Like Choice For Casino
January 15, 2010:
Another Neighborhood Courts Columbus Casino
January 15, 2010:
Columbus Casino's Owners Complete Purchase Of Arena District Land
January 12, 2010:
Polaris Area Says Thanks, But No Thanks To Casino
January 12, 2009:
Columbus Casino Site Could Be Announced Midweek
January 6, 2010:
Another Community Welcomes Columbus Casino
January 6, 2010:
Hilltop Residents Ponder Casino Addition
January 5, 2010:
Hilltop Could Be Warming Up To Casino
December 31, 2009:
Casino Developers Willing To Consider Alternatives To Arena District
December 28. 2009:
Group OK With Casino, But Not In Arena District
December 9, 2009:
Fight
Over Casino Goes To Statehouse
November 13, 2009:
See What
Columbus' Casino Will Look Like
November 4, 2009:
Casino
Developers Say They Will Keep Promises
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