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PROPOSED: Harrah's/Narragansett Casino

Cotuit

By Cotuit
in Rhode Island

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eltron Hamlet

eltron

Posted
Posted

So a new civic arean dosnt make sence, or how about the property development that a group like the starwood/ bbl could partake in.

I think i rather see Paolino with his hands in this than some of the other pricks that seem to think there idea for providence is best>>>

Mij

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And Paolino's is better? I beg to differ...

if he got his way in the past, downtown would be a sea of beautiful asphalt parking lots. yep, that man's got vision.

I've got no problems with a new or refurbished arena, and starwood/bbl can sure jump in if they want, but the last thing we need there is a freakin casino. the mall is bad enough (yes, I know, I admit it has done some good for town too). Theres enough going on right now to make a nice vibrant town without the boondoggle of a casino.

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Cotuit Megalopolis

Cotuit

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The Dunk is not so far gone that it needs to be replaced. The city and state should not be spending money now to replace it. If it were possible to replace it with no city/state money, that might be one thing, but there's no reason to start from scratch.

With The Dunk where it is now, it works well as overflow for the Convention Center, we need to be working toward integrating the two, not building a new Dunk at another location.

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bloodyrocker Whistle-Stop

bloodyrocker

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And Paolino's is better? I beg to differ...

if he got his way in the past, downtown would be a sea of beautiful asphalt parking lots. yep, that man's got vision.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have to agree here. that guy is part of the "old boy" network that Providence has had in place for a very long time.. he is part of the problem and holds a crapload of property in his back pocket.

Anyone remember the Gulf station debacle? he and his cronies ripped that place down over a holiday weekend and now we have another beautiful parking lot to look at instead of the great piece of 60's architecture that it was.

01.jpg

He sucks and here is his vision for Providence. Soon to be more condos. Screw Paolino.

-jason

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CtownMikey Burg

CtownMikey

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Is this JUST Paolino's idea/opinion about a casino in the Capitol City? or have casino companies made anything public about coming to Prov.

I stand right beside Cotuit on the casino issue.. It WILL happen.. either in warwick or providence maybe i guess.. or a bordering state. so when it does.. Providence may be the best place for it to be--> Raising tourism and adding hotels/condos/retail.-->more people in the city

As far as the mall goes, besides the damage it may have done to downtown retail, it is a huuuge boost to the city-- 1. It is something that draws hotel developers (so says the article on the mall that was posted on this site somewhere) 2. To me. is a beautiful building on the outside and has a classy feel inside 3. Has been exceeding expectations in revenue and drawing out of state customers.

ie: if you live in R.I. and go to both malls frequently you will notice that Warwick mall is full of 13 and 14 year olds from around the state, and what seems like to me to be "the discount shopper" type. Now, Providence Place does have that 13-14 y/o group, but they also have adults!! Adult who seem to be stylish and spend money. The kind of hip/funky adults that the city needs. If you ARE a frequent shopper.. I think you know what I mean.

I may be wrong on this.. just judging by looks and all. Lets just be happy that the mall site wasn't doomed to be a Walmart site :)

4. And if I were a somewhat wealthy person, buying a condo or apt. in a city. The mall would definately be a reason why I'd move to providence over another city.

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gregw Hamlet

gregw

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Joe Pave-olino is an unimaginative dolt. His vision for downtown is actually not a vision at all but whatever's good for his family business.

Recent and not distinguished track record:

With the old man blocked the Improvement District for years

unseamly demolition of Gulf station (parking lot)

attempt to demolish Arnold bldg. on Washington for parking lot

attempt to demolish former Rialto theater on Matthewson for parking lot

attempt to demolish former Police and FIre HQ for parking lot

demolition of Plymouth bldg on Matthewson for parking lot

inability to develop triangular parcel near Union Station

inability to redevelop O'Gorman bldg. (luckily sold to Chace)

inability to preserve and develop the Trolley Barn on Cranston St., which has some of the finest brickwork in the state, BTW. Will probably end up as a big box store.

His old man demolished the Hoppin Homestead Bldg on Westminster next to the Conrad Bldg. It was one of the finest Victorian blocks downtown and had special historic significance as the original location of RISD.

I also find it astonishing that he can't seem to get anyone to rent his properties if all the Paolino For Lease signs are any indication.

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Liamlunchtray Burg

Liamlunchtray

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I have to agree here.  that guy is part of the "old boy" network that Providence has had in place for a very long time.. he is part of the problem and holds a crapload of property in his back pocket.

  Anyone remember the Gulf station debacle?  he and his cronies ripped that place down over a holiday weekend and now we have another beautiful parking lot to look at  instead of the great piece of 60's architecture that it was.

01.jpg

  He sucks and here is his vision for Providence.  Soon to be more condos.  Screw Paolino.

  -jason

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I heartily second that! He is a total scumbag who could give two sh*ts about the city. Screw him and the parking lot he rode in on.

Liam

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billypc99 Whistle-Stop

billypc99

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I agree with many of the above comments and feel that Paolino seems to have chosen short-term cash (parking lots) over the best interests of the city. I think in some ways he has failed to look think long-term. That said, he invested in our city at a time when few others would. So in this regard, I must give him credit as a buisnessman. Its kind of ironic how his investments hinged on the long-term success of the city, but in some ways he has hindered it.

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eltron Hamlet

eltron

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I agree with many of the above comments and feel that Paolino seems to have chosen short-term cash (parking lots) over the best interests of the city.  I think in some ways he has failed to look think long-term.  That said, he invested in our city at a time when few others would. So in this regard, I must give him credit as a buisnessman.  Its kind of ironic how his investments hinged on the long-term success of the city, but in some ways he has hindered it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Great, and sad, pic of the Gulf Station.

Paolino is the poster-child of a different time in this city - buy up property dirt cheap, wring every last cent out of it, tear it down (no matter its historical significance) to wring a couple last cents out of it for parking, then profit off the vision of others miles more intelligent than him who succeed in spite of his short-sighted stupidity.

and he was mayor? jeez, at least Buddy had some charisma. ..

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EPBOY Whistle-Stop

EPBOY

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Paolino is the poster-child of a different time in this city - buy up property dirt cheap, wring every last cent out of it, tear it down (no matter its historical significance) to wring a couple last cents out of it for parking, ....

I totally agree with this. Joey & Family have owned property downtown for decades. And for most of that time the buildings they own have been neglected and dilapidated eyesores. These buildings were true embarrassments to the downcity area. I remember journal editorials in the early 90's critizing the Paolino family for letting their property decay so badly.

With their money and power, the Paolino's could have set an example - and maybe a chain reaction - by beginning the revitalization of Providence's downcity years ago. They did nothing but collect rent and let the paint peel off the sides of their property. - that's when they weren't tearing them down to make yet another ugly asphalt lot.

Visionary he is not! :sick:

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Mij Whistle-Stop

Mij

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The Dunk is not so far gone that it needs to be replaced. The city and state should not be spending money now to replace it. If it were possible to replace it with no city/state money, that might be one thing, but there's no reason to start from scratch.

With The Dunk where it is now, it works well as overflow for the Convention Center, we need to be working toward integrating the two, not building a new Dunk at another location.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Your right, the dunk does work good as over flow, but it is past its prime for the industry it was created for. So its either shell out between 30-60 million to rehab it or sell it like city officials were trying to do. Presently we cant even attract the big sporting events that we used to. the NCAA has croosed Providence off the list of host cities, and The Providence Bruins have talked about moving to a posible location in warwick. The Friars cant compete on a level that is required in their new Bigger East. The Sporting events for years are what gave providence its cultrual image. If a casino is going to happen in or around the state Im gonna have to jump on board and say hay, throw in a new civic arena and you have my vote- witch im sure any casino would need to help lure in acts for their customers- having this in the old safty complex makes a certain amount of sence, Paolino will probly make tons of cash for this. Please dont think im an advocate for him, I dont even think he is the brain behind this idea, i would credit that to Mr. Proctacanni (spell check), (this is were you "screw him" types throw out your dim witted barb). Once more, Im not a huge fan, But I promise you if Buff Chace jumps on board with his pal Andreas Duaney, who is in favor, Nobody will beotch & moan. I thank every one for the good debate, and Im sure as other ideas surface, this topic will get warmer and even heat up.

Mij

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Mij Whistle-Stop

Mij

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Now that you mention Proccianti or whatever his name is... Doesn't his power block image include the civic center/dunk?  In terms of sprucing it up or whatever he chooses to do. Was that just tough guy talk or does he have any plans?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I for one really hope he isnt just "talking tough". If you look at the amount of work going into this area, he would be a fool not to follow up with the proposed plans. I have dubbed this area the " Capital/Convention Corridor". Starting with Gtech, then the new westin tower, emmett square, LaSalle square, The power block, the broadway connection bridge, the facade of the convention center and the dunk, and of course the possibility of this area containing a black hole ( i mean casino ) and a state of the art civic areana in the old public safty complex.... this is easily a billion dollar corridor.

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Cotuit Megalopolis

Cotuit

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But I promise you if Buff Chace jumps on board with  his pal Andreas Duaney, who is in favor, Nobody will beotch & moan.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I surely don't think Chase and Duany can do no wrong. If they propose something I disagree with, I'm not going to roll over just because they're behind it. And you can be sure, the residents at Regency Place would be screaming bloody murder about a proposal like this, regardless of who is behind it. If you look at the current casino proposal (or any other urban casino complex), you'll see there's no way that a casino can fit in the LaSalle Square area. If we had to have a casino in Providence (and I don't think we do have to), it would have to be in another location, the Jewelry District, somewhere near where 195 and 95 meet seems the best spot.

I'm really not buying this need for RI to have a casino just because CT has them. Providence and Rhode Island have been growing and improving all along while Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun have been there. The competition does hurt, and the expansions going on at the casinos will continue to hurt, but building a casino does not have to be the response. What Providence has over Ledyard, is that Ledyard is not Providence. We have way more going for us here to attract visitors, Ledyard is nothing without the casino.

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Frankie811 City

Frankie811

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why is warwick or west warwick even in consideration over providence in the first place?? because they have more hotel rooms?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's the location choosen by the Indians years ago. And yes, Warwick does have more hotel rooms than Providence. Newport is # 1.

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CtownMikey Burg

CtownMikey

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I couldn't find the older casino thread.. i'm sorry that I created a new one :( ANYWAYS :)

I was searching for the old thread because I was curious as to what people had to say about a Providence casino in place of a West Warwick casino.

What are the Pros and what are the Cons?

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glassandsteel Whistle-Stop

glassandsteel

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I'd like to start off that what is being proposed in Rhode Island isn't just a casino but a resort casino. This means performance venue/s, restaurants, hotel rooms, cinema, etc. I think this is where a whole different set of problems is introduced. To have a casino smack in the middle of Providence isn't necessarily a bad thing (not that I'm saying it's necessarily a good thing either) but to put a gaming destination with everything included 15 minutes outside of the city becomes nothing more than a drain on the city. A performance venue there could potentially kill PPAC, hotels there could halt the flow of proposals in Providence, I severely doubt that the sort of restuarants there would do any justice for our national reputation for food and would shortchange all the REALLY good restaurants that we already have, and I can't forget to mention that Harrah's and the Narragansetts want to pay about 25% tax on every dollar where we're already getting 60% from Newport Grand and Lincoln Park. The tax issue alone screams "rip-off". I could go on and on about how I would prefer the setup to be but I know better than to think that it'll turn out to be anything but a watered-down version of the current proposal. Until there is a proposal that works on all levels of responsibility, I'm totally against it. Which is a shame, I hate losing all those gambling dollars to Connecticut.

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