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Originally Posted by rivernorthlurker
A tenth of a mile from Cabrini. Brilliant idea.
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Data does show a higher incidence of problem gambling among Black Americans than white ones, but it also shows a higher incidence among Hispanic and Asian Americans as well. Virtually all of the sites under consideration are close to some minority community, so I don't know why "being near Cabrini" is worse than "being near Pilsen" or "being near Chinatown".
I also think the Chicago/Halsted site offers certain advantages that don't apply to other sites:
1) The Tribune buildings are large enough to accommodate a temporary casino, which could get up and running quickly and start putting money into the city's coffers sooner.
2) good expressway access, including the possibility for direct ramps into the complex. Call it the [Tourists from] Ohio Feeder.
3) Reasonably close to the Blue Line at Grand and one of the city's best bus routes on Chicago, plus the future North Branch Transitway running directly thru.
4) Existing restaurant district at Grand that provides a ready-made "entertainment district" near the casino
I do think the site is big enough that the casino could sprawl into a huge suburban-style complex. But that wouldn't be any worse than the Tribune development that's there now, and hopefully the city could push the bidders into a more urban format with room for mixed-use development around the casino itself.