3 replies to this topic

[jacorbett70]

From Philadelphia Daily News, cover story 3/2/09:

After 32 years, Gallery mall still wrestles with its rep

JOE PINEIRO likes to gamble.

Although he makes a monthly trek to the Atlantic City casinos, the retired chef from Voorhees, Camden County, was excited about a planned casino opening in Philadelphia.

Until he learned that developers of the Foxwoods casino had abandoned their Delaware River site in South Philadelphia and instead planned to put the casino at the Gallery at Market East, in Center City.

"No one wants to go there. You have to pay for parking, you get your car broken into or stolen, you get beat up in the bathroom," said Pineiro. He was referring to the Sept. 10 robbing and beating of John Gabel, 83, inside a Gallery restroom. "There's a bad element there. They could send me a coupon for $500 free play and I'd trash it."

Still, violent crimes at the mall are rare: Less than 1 percent of more than 605 arrests made in the 1-million-square-foot mall last year are for the types of crimes that justify fears, such as aggravated assault, robbery and drug offenses, according to police data.

Link to the story:
http://www.philly.co...th_its_rep.html

Edited by jacorbett70, 02 March 2009 - 11:09 PM.

[KevinKorell]

Article about common Railfest dining location

John,

Besides being a common dining location when we meet to ride trains in Philly, it's also technically a station in its own right. It is directly connected to Market East station on the Regional Rail, the 8th & 11th Streets stations on the Market Frankford subway, 8th Street on the Ridge Avenue spur of the Broad Street subway, and the 8th/Market station on the PATCO high speed line.

If they do turn the mall into a downtown casino (which IMO would not be any less attractive for criminals) it may not be possible to walk through the facility as one can do now between the above stations. And if one still can pass through it, there may be restrictions such as those younger fest participants under gambling age.

[Long Train Runnin']

there may be restrictions such as those younger fest participants under gambling age.

Well I did pass through it a few weeks ago with Alan, I don't think the casino would hamper young riders. I have alone walked through the floor of the MGM Grand and Monte Carlo when I was only 13 and no one stopped me or even turned there head, so I think the walk from PATCO to SEPTA or the subways wouldn't be hampered by this. Although they may different regulations about this in philly.

[jacorbett70]

One bit of bad news for us foodies. I noticed the Sbarro in the Market East food court has recently shut down. There is still a Villa Pizza (with pasta as well) in the other food court closer to the 11th St MFL entrance. There is also a pizza-only place nearly opposite the main food court.