Agency rejects skywalk for Cleveland casino

Federal agency rejects skywalk linking Cleveland casino to downtown parking garage

5/10/2013

CLEVELAND— A federal agency has thrown up a roadblock to the Cleveland casino’s plans to build a downtown skywalk.

The National Park Service — which administers the National Register of Historic Places — rejected the plans for a skywalk from the historic Higbee building, which houses the casino, to a parking garage.

The agency said the glass-enclosed walkway would affect “the overall historic character of the property.”

The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer reports that the decision doesn’t mean the skywalk won’t be built. It means that the Horseshoe Casino Cleveland won’t get certain tax advantages to help it buy the building on Public Square. The casino is currently leasing its space in the building.

The casino’s owner, Rock Ohio Caesars, says it is paying $79 million for the building.