Casino gets final OK from Toledo Plan Commission

7/8/2010

The developer of a planned Toledo casino got final major site plan approval from the Toledo Plan Commission Thursday.

Eric Schippers, senior vice president of Penn National Gaming, Inc., of Wyomissing, Pa., told the commission that the company hopes to begin moving earth on the East Toledo site within a month.

The $250 million facility is scheduled to open in early 2012, and could become the first casino in the state to be completed.

"We're very grateful to the plan commission for the unanimous decision which is a giant step forward in terms of getting under way with construction. We will seek building permits with hope of breaking ground within 30 days," Mr. Schippers said.

The project is expected to create 2,000 construction jobs and about 1,200 permanent casino jobs.

The commission voted 5-0 to approve the site plan. Calvin Lawshe, secretary to the plan commission, said the commission is still expected to receive a detailed landscaping plan, but that yesterday's vote was the final step for the site plan and it does not go to city council.

A rendering shows a light-colored, two-story building with a lighted sign saying "Hollywood Casino." In response to a question from the commission, casino officials said it would be made of brick, stone, poured concrete, and stucco.

The main building will be two levels of between 218,000 and 227,000 square feet. There will also be a 5 -deck parking garage.

The site, at 1968 Miami St., is adjacent to I-75 on the south bank of the Maumee River.