Casinos and the dialectic of ethics and the common good sounds like an interesting lecture. But this is a blog about development and on the waterfront, Sugarhouse Casino operates regardless of whatever anyone has to say about its ethics and who frequents its floor. But what kind of positive impact, nominal and cultural, can a casino have on the neighborhoods around which it exists?

The Penn Treaty Special Services District (PTSSD) was borne out of a Community Benefit Agreement (CBA) between local community groups, officials, and Sugarhouse directors, and has operated since January 2010. Each year, its seven board members, who stress transparency in their dealings, are handed the responsibility of administering $1M to local community efforts to serve as revitalization and development resources. These dollars go to organizations and institutions that operate in Northern Liberties, Fishtown, and South Kensington. To date, PTSSD has received three annual payments totaling $1,175,000.

PTSSD boundaries

From renovating parks and rec centers, to baseball diamonds, preserving the waterfront, centers for the aged, scholarships and street beautification, the board members of the PTSSD have been allocating the $1M (which was only $500K the first year) across the board.

Here’s a list of some of the organizations they have contributed to thus far: Friends of Penn Treaty Park ($65K), Neumann Senior Housing ($11,287), The Spirit Newspaper ($21,101), Fishtown AC ($82,500), and Towey Playground ($15K).

Neumann Senior Center

Now, if Bart Blatstein is building a casino on Broad Street, who are the neighborhood groups that will unite and fight to put together a worthy CBA? In North Philadelphia, home to many low-income residents, civic groups and local CDCs will need to step up to lead the way for marginalized voices. More, is $1M a year enough? And what are some projects folks can think of should the casino come? Obviously, we’re putting the cart way before the horse here, but these considerations should certainly be part of the dialogue in weighing the pros and cons of a casino on North Broad.

–Lou Mancinelli