Mayor Michael Nutter's decision last week to revoke SugarHouse's casino license for its proposed 5,500-slot parlor provided a new setback for casino developers interested in coming to Philadelphia.
Nutter revoked the license in order to more completely evaluate whether the proposed casino is the best use for the land at the Fishtown site.
"We don't believe full analysis was given as to whether a casino was the best use for riparian lands," Nutter's press secretary Douglas Oliver said.
SugarHouse has not yet decided whether to appeal to the courts or reengage the process with city officials, SugarHouse spokeswoman Leigh Whitaker said.
"We are disappointed by these actions and will seek the appropriate relief immediately," a SugarHouse statement said.
Still, some neighborhood activist groups supported the decision, saying casinos would worsen traffic, crime and other social issues in the city.
Rene Goodwin, a spokeswoman for the Philadelphia Neighborhood Alliance, agreed with Nutter and said the method by which permission to build the casino had been obtained was a serious concern.
"The process has not been transparent," she said. "We will continue to work with members of the General Assembly, City Council and the mayor who recognize there are problems with the site."
However, the governor's office has expressed disappointment with the decision to revoke SugarHouse's license. According to Chuck Ardo, a spokesman for Governor Ed Rendell, the casinos will help with tax benefits, property-tax relief and wage tax reductions.
Rendell has not yet decided on a response to Nutter's actions.
"We're going to wait and see how it works itself out," Ardo said.
