NEW CASTLE —
Penn National Gaming will present its plans for a $125 million Austintown racetrack to the Ohio Racing Commission next week.
Details of relocating the thoroughbred racetrack from a Columbus suburb to Austintown will be presented at a special meeting March 7.
The presentation also will include Penn National’s plans to relocate a harness track from Toledo to Dayton.
The commission is not expected to vote immediately, but could take up the issue at its regular meeting, scheduled for March 21.
Penn National spokesman Bob Tenenbaum said the proposal has not changed since it was first presented in Youngstown early in 2011.
He added the $125 million price tag does not include fees, which must be paid by the Pennsylvania-based organization prior to opening the facility. Those fees include $75 million to relocate each racetrack license and a $50 million fee to be paid to the Ohio Lottery Commission for a vending license to operate 1,500 video lottery terminals which Penn National plans to place at the racetrack.
The track license relocation fee was determined following an agreement with the office of Ohio Gov. John Kasich.
Although the project is moving ahead, Tenenbaum said, no “formal ground breaking” for the project has been set.
“Before we do that, we need to hear from the lottery commission” regarding the video lottery terminals, he said.
Six Ohio racetrack operators currently have requests before the commission, Tenenbaum said. To date, only one — Scioto Downs in Columbus — has received a license to operate as a video lottery retailer. A building with 2,100 video lottery terminals opened at that racetrack in June.
“Because it is dealing with so many (requests) the lottery commission is not taking up our request separately,” he said, adding, “We don’t expect to have any difficulty. We already have been approved and licensed by the state to operate casinos in Ohio.”
Tenenbaum noted Penn National is continuing with preliminary work at the site.
“We’re moving ahead with the project,” he said. “This presentation before the racing commission is a significant step. We’re optimistic we will continue to move forward without any delay.”
The Lawrence County project for a multimillion-dollar racetrack/casino in Mahoning Township hit a snag last month. Developers Endeka Entertainment requested and obtained more time, until March 14, to meet conditions set by the Pennsylvania State Harness Racing Commission.
Even if the Lawrence County project proceeds, “it won’t change our plans,” Tenenbaum said.
“After the Ohio Racing Commission approves our plan, the only major step left will be the lottery commission to approve the (video lottery terminals.) We anticipate no difficulties.
Penn National operates 27 holdings in 18 states and Canada.
(Email: nlowry@ncnewsonline.com)
Hot Topics
Related Photos
Discussion
Ohio racetrack project takes another step
- Hot Topics
-
-
Groundbreaking set for Penn National in Austintown
Penn National Gaming will break ground Thursday for its Hollywood Mahoning Valley Race Course.
The ceremony, at 1 p.m. will be at 700 N. Canfield-Niles Road in Austintown. -
Prosecutors granted stay in Jordan Brown decision
A hearing on the status of a boy accused in a 2009 fatal shooting has been canceled. The hearing on 15-year-old Jordan Brown’s detention had been planned for Lawrence County Court today, but was canceled after prosecutors requested, and received, a stay in the proceedings.
-
Jordan Brown Case: Next step unclear, attorneys say
The Jordan Brown case has stretched into its fifth year. But it is not over yet. And the lawyers representing the 15-year-old don’t know exactly what will happen next.
-
Jordan Brown Case: Victim’s parents ‘devastated’ by ruling
Kenzie Houk’s parents are devastated — again. The first time was when she was fatally shot in February, 2009. The second time was Wednesday, when they learned of a ruling by the Pennsylvania Superior Court.
-
Appeals court overturns Jordan Brown ruling
A Pennsylvania appeals court has overturned the Jordan Brown decision in Lawrence County. As a result, a new juvenile proceeding will be needed for the now-15-year-old accused in the 2009 shooting death of his father’s pregnant fiancée, Kenzie Houk.
-
Local officials keep hope alive for track
Penn National Gaming’s plans to proceed with an Austintown racetrack has not killed hopes for a Lawrence County track/casino. “We’re still in a holding pattern,” state Sen. Elder Vogel Jr. said.
-
Ohio gives Penn National the go-ahead
The Ohio Racing Commission Wednesday gave Penn National Gaming the green light to relocate two racetracks. The approval was unanimous to transfer a thoroughbred racetrack from Columbus to Austintown and a harness track from Toledo to Dayton.
-
Ohio tracks still waiting for design decision
The wait for a racetrack in Austintown continues. The Ohio State Racing Commission members Tuesday agreed to extend the time it will take to reach a decision on the design of racetracks proposed by Penn National Gaming Inc.
-
Authority to vote on Citigroup for track bond issue
A county authority will vote publicly on an underwriter for a revenue bond issue for a proposed racetrack. The Lawrence County Industrial Development Authority will meet at 10 a.m. April 24 at the Lawrence County Economic Development Corp. office to act on the county commissioners’ recommendation of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. as the lending institution for a revenue bond.
-
Citigroup to underwrite county’s track financing
Citigroup has been chosen to underwrite the county’s share of financing for the racetrack/casino proposed for Mahoning Township. The bank will issue bonds or notes to finance part of the $400 million project proposed for Lawrence County.
- More Hot Topics Headlines
-
