The cheerleaders are preparing their arguments for spreading that destruction on the pretext of saving horse racing.
Herald News: Casino player at the Meadowlands
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Herald News
THE MEADOWLANDS could use a little rock 'n' roll and Hard Rock International may be just the ticket. It is investing in the New Meadowlands Racetrack.
Governor Christie wanted to get the state out of the horseracing business. The sale of the racetrack at the Meadowlands was an important part of that process. Private ownership is creating a smaller grandstand reflecting current interest in horse racing, which makes more sense than the old model.
What would make even more sense would be the addition of casino gambling.
We continue to oppose the state's efforts to bring gambling into the living rooms of New Jerseyans through online casino-style games. We also see no benefit in expanding the kinds of sporting events that are open to betting. But we recognize casinos are all around New Jersey and the days of Atlantic City's primacy are long gone. In North Jersey, gamblers can travel either to New York or Pennsylvania with greater ease than to Atlantic City. And they are.
Christie has pledged to keep gambling solely in Atlantic City while a five-year plan to restore the luster to A.C. is given a chance to work. While we hope Atlantic City will reinvent itself as a family destination, it cannot change its geographic location. Refusing to see the revenue potential in a North Jersey casino site is myopic on the part of state leaders. It is also self-serving on the part of powerful South Jersey politicians.
That brings us back to the good news of Hard Rock's presence at the Meadowlands. There was hope two years ago that a Hard Rock hotel and casino would open in Atlantic City. The failing economic climate in Atlantic City proved unattractive to Hard Rock management.
Investing in the Meadowlands is a sign that the company sees great value in New Jersey.
If state law changes to allow casinos outside of Atlantic City, Hard Rock is poised to develop one in the Meadowlands. Keeping the corporation engaged in New Jersey also keeps a door open for Atlantic City investment, as well. It is rare when we see such a good corporate fit for future Meadowlands development.
We have only to look at the failed Xanadu site to realize what the consequences are when the developer and investors are not equal to the task at hand. A Hard Rock hotel and casino at the Meadowlands would complement the American Dream concept for the failed Xanadu, and it would also augment MetLife Stadium. For now, all of that is pure speculation. What is real is Hard Rock's investment in the racetrack and in New Jersey. And that is good news, indeed.
http://www.northjersey.com/news/opinions/205053791_Herald_News___Casino_player_at_the_Meadowlands.html
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