Waterfront Casino in Miami? Why not here?

[urbanlibertarian]

From the Miami Herald:
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/05/27/2245581/asian-casino-giant-wants-to-bring.html

Asian casino giant wants to bring gambling to downtown Miami

An Asian casino giant wants to bring a resort to Miami where the Miami Herald now stands. If Florida says no to more gambling, Genting will build slowly.

By DOUGLAS HANKS
dhanks@MiamiHerald.com

When it comes to waterfront gambling, it’s hard to finder a bigger bet than the one Genting Malaysia made Friday in downtown Miami.

In paying $236 million for the 14 acres that house The Miami Herald, the Asian gaming giant envisions a luxury casino resort on Biscayne Bay even though Florida law forbids it. But people close to the deal say the Asian conglomerate has the patience to wait out the politics of casino gambling, and the deep pockets to stick with the venture if the slot machines and blackjack tables don’t materialize.

[copperfiend]

Put a casino on the shipyards property.

[Old Jim]

The shipyards property would be an excellent location. We go to Tunica, or Biloxi a couple of times a year and the casino parking lots are dominated by cars from Georgia and Florida. This state is turning its back on a huge amount of revenue.

[north miami]

Put a casino on the shipyards property.

Yea,that could be just like Jacksonville for 'ya after all ..........
A hell of a thing to do to our gracious front porch.

Do that and the 'Stay In Jacksonville' bucket list that has recently overflowed will get kicked in the river.

If Duval must have casino-there are plenty of places for one other than waterfront.
Attempt to place casino downtown and watch First Baptist come out of the woodwork-earning it's keep after all of the criticism,loss.

Bumper Sticker:  Florida's First Coast-where Miami begins!!

[RockStar]

We just simply need a paddle wheel casino boat cruising the St. Johns...pickup/dropoff at the Landing. Preferably with great dining on board...sunset dinner cruising etc...

[north miami]

We just simply need a paddle wheel casino boat cruising the St. Johns...pickup/dropoff at the Landing. Preferably with great dining on board...sunset dinner cruising etc...

Outstanding concept- however the casino Industry imagined for Miami-and not yet even legally sanctioned- would entail considerable complex.

Downtown Miami has in fact grown,attracting many from the area's own South beach.And withoput the help of Casino,and there may be an ankling of Casino opposition in Miami

[JeffreyS]

I want it east of the Gator bowl. I want actual downtown to be more residential than a casino area would be.

[urbanlibertarian]

How about casino/convention center complex?

[thelakelander]

I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for an international developer investing $2 billion on any site in Jacksonville.....downtown or the Southside.  Reading the article, they are betting on an environment that simply does not exist in a second tier regional city like Jacksonville.

Eager for a U.S. foothold, it outbid rivals in New York last year for the rights to bring a casino to the Queens Aqueduct racetrack. In Miami, the company sees a flagship property in a city with international appeal.

“We view Miami as a very important gateway between the United States, Europe and Latin America,’’ Resorts World President Mike Speller said. “We are very, very excited to be here.’’

At a morning press conference, Speller outlined a massive transformation for an industrial site occupied by parking lots and a blocky 1960s building housing waterfront printing presses. In its place would rise hotels, entertainment venues, residential towers, commercial space and other amenities to make the area a “destination resort.’’ Santiago Calatrava, one of the world’s leading architects, appears to be the top pick to design the complex, said Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, who was briefed Friday by developers.

The estimated cost: between $2 billion and $2.5 billion.

Speller said the project will go ahead whether or not Florida allows casinos to expand beyond Indian lands and selected race tracks and jai alai frontons. But a casino would allow a quicker return, and Genting would dramatically speed up its development timetable if Florida changes its gambling laws, Speller said in a statement.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/05/27/2245581/asian-casino-giant-wants-to-bring.html#ixzz1OQTNMb50

[Ocklawaha]

If casinos were already approved, and if Jacksonville would even consider allowing them, and if we could get the attention of a major player company like Genting, then we have a location that might be superior to that of Miamis. The old JEA site on the south bank is visible for miles from two directions, and virtually all traffic between the northeast and Florida rolls right by it. Miami, for all of it's first tier status, simply will NEVER have such a location because geography again favors Jacksonville. I agree with lakelander though if for no other reason then the fact that our heads are about 2' feet deep in the local sand and likely to stay that way.

OCKLAWAHA

[thelakelander]

I love Jax, but the Shipyards and JEA sites combined aren't superior to the Miami Herald site, for a casino/international resort.  Its (Herald site) in a rapidly growing DT in an international city, already has fixed mass transit (which will be directly tied into MIA), a skip and a hop away from a major cruise port and a water taxi ride away from South Beach.  Those are highly attractive environmental characteristics for a potential urban casino/resort site.  The market and money is already there.  All they need is the right to build and they've hit the jackpot.

[urbanlibertarian]

Would a casino blend well with a convention center?  If so, it could be a completely private venture.

[thelakelander]

I'd assume it would depend on the type of casino and convention center and the market desired for both.  There could be cases of where they blend well and others where they don't.

[tufsu1]

Would a casino blend well with a convention center?  If so, it could be a completely private venture.

it does in New Orleans...but IMO casinos are just another one-trick pony...they have done very little to revitalize Atlantic City....and now that they popping up everywhere, the returns are even less

[thelakelander]

^Hard Rock built and operates New Orleans' convention center?