Search
 

Legislators File Suit to Block SugarHouse

PHILADELPHIA-Within weeks of clearing the way for the casino's construction, the court gets a complaint from an unexpected quarter.

By Marita Thomas | Updated on December 27, 2007

PHILADELPHIA-A group of seven state legislators, two senators and five representatives each representing districts near the SugarHouse Casino site, has filed a lawsuit with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court seeking to halt construction. The defendant is the City, and the complaint alleges that the Commerce Department erred in granting HSP Gaming, the casino’s developer, riparian rights. The developer is not named as a defendant in the suit.

A large portion of the 22-acre casino site along the Delaware River is on submerged land. According to published reports, the Commerce Department negotiated a 99-year lease at $282,270 a year with HSP for that portion of the site. In the court complaint, the lawmakers contend that the commonwealth owns submerged land on navigable waterways, and only the state legislature has the authority to lease it or sell it.

Want to continue reading?
Become a Free ALM Digital Reader.

Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Unlimited access to GlobeSt and other free ALM publications
  • Access to 15 years of GlobeSt archives
  • Your choice of GlobeSt digital newsletters and over 70 others from popular sister publications
  • 1 free article* every 30 days across the ALM subscription network
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM events and publications

*May exclude premium content
Already have an account?

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

GlobeSt

Join GlobeSt

Don't miss crucial news and insights you need to make informed commercial real estate decisions. Join GlobeSt.com now!

  • Free unlimited access to GlobeSt.com's trusted and independent team of experts who provide commercial real estate owners, investors, developers, brokers and finance professionals with comprehensive coverage, analysis and best practices necessary to innovate and build business.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and GlobeSt events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com.

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join GlobeSt

Copyright © 2024 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.