Necessary zoning bills passed for the Live! Hotel and Casino project on Packer Avenue

In October, the master plan for this new casino for South Philadelphia was approved, leaving the next steps to city council’s approval of the rezoning of the property at 900 Packer Ave.

At City Council’s final meeting of the year this week, the two necessary rezoning bills for the construction of the Live! Hotel and Casino were approved.

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City Councilman Kenyatta Johnson says even though there has been opposition, especially by those with concerns about how the developer treated African-American customers at venues in other cities, it’s time to move the project forward.

“We were able to address a variety of issues regarding the development of the live casino, addressing the issue of minority inclusion regarding the [Equal Opportunity Plan], addressing the issue of minority inclusion as well as working with the neighborhood groups to make sure it’s a project that’s viable to the neighborhood,” he said.

Johnson says he expects construction to begin next year .