The court's 6-0 decision said the Philadelphia city council "exceeded its authority," and that the city must alter its records, maps and plans to show that the casino along South Philadelphia's riverfront "has been approved." The city had been delaying zoning approval for the casino for some time -- even though the state government said it could proceed back in 2006.
Chief Justice Ronald D. Castille wrote that "there is ample evidence that the inaction was a deliberate attempt by council to simply delay the construction of the casinos."
Attorneys for the casino contended that they had done "everything" that state law and city zoning rules required, and that the city council was dragging its feet on the proposal.
The unanimous court decision opens the path for the Foxwoods -- the Mashantucket Pequot Indians of Connecticut -- to begin to break ground on the first phase of the $670 million facility. "There's nothing standing in the way," spokesperson Maureen Garrity said.
Full construction of the casino, with 3,000 slot machines, an entertainment lounge, restaurants and bars will take 22 months, Garrity added.
Additional construction could include a hotel, retail space, a spa and convention space, she said.
The Supreme Court issued the a similar order just four months ago, approving construction in Philadelphia for SugarHouse Casino.
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When these two new casinos finally open, Philadelphia will become the nation's largest city with casino gambling.
According to Frank DiCicco, the councilman whose district is home to both casinos, the main concern of opponents was to "protect themselves from traffic problems" that a new casino "might" cause.
"There are really serious questions that are important to the community and to Foxwoods," said DiCicco, who has been holding hearings on the topic. "What if we wake up one day and have to live with these things?"
But, others think the concerns were exceptionally overwrought. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board licensed Foxwoods 18 months ago.
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