Las Vegas, Atlantic City, New Orleans... And soon, Atlanta??? (Lawrenceville: condos, crime)

[FromCLTtoATL]

Maybe this is too idealistic, but I think we need to start investing in productive, long-term growth projects (such as alternative energy), not things like gambling. I think gambling is a get-rich-quick scheme that is cancer on society.

Personally, I think the best thing to do with Underground is raze it and turn it into an urban garden.

However, if we do go the gambling route, I say at least do it up right and make it a classy affair, with real roulette tables and such. That video poker crap is the worst of both worlds.

[Tdiddy0027]

hmm, what a concept! lol

[Georgia]

Well gaming in the Underground
Rather it is video or whatever, if approved we might as well put the nail in the coffin to what could be a fantastic place for Atlanta

Got to love the politicians, lets keep turning our cities into crap so we can continue the non stop revenue stream into the sow.

[southgeorgia]

Originally Posted by FromCLTtoATL

Personally, I think the best thing to do with Underground is raze it and turn it into an urban garden.

my personal preference is for my gardens to be above ground.

[Psykomonkee]

Originally Posted by southgeorgia

my personal preference is for my gardens to be above ground.

I agree.

As for the Casino, I think Atlanta/Georgia SHOULD start casino gambling, HOWEVER I do not think it should be IN the downtown area. It should be somewhere well outside of the city if you ask me. An ALL OUT VEGAS STYLE casino district somewhere East of the City, fully equiped with lights, tacky themed hotels, themed restaurants, shows and REAL TABLES for games... If you build it, the people WILL GO, but it won't become an inner city problem. And people won't catch their kids just hanging around down there. If you want to go, you have to purpose to go if it's outside the city. With it at Underground, it's also at FIVE POINTS... People, and people's children can just stumble across the casino crowd and atmosphere...

[grindin]

I'm still ambivalent about the idea of a casino at Underground. For one thing, there is that pesky issue of vagrants and aggressive panhandlers in the Five Points/Underground area. They may not be necessarily dangerous, but they can scare off potential repeat customers, especially people who aren't used to the ways of a large city. My ultimate paranoid scenario is a mentally ill panhandler getting into it with someone who may have got drunk at the casino and mad about loosing their money. But who knows? I think that whole area should be gutted and rebuilt into something useful, but what do I know?

And no, I don't see DT ATL becoming anything like the Las Vegas Strip or the AC Boardwalk anytime soon, even if one casino is allowed there.

[AcidSnake]

One part of me says that it's okay to have gambling in the Underground Mall but the nanny part of me says that it may be a bad idea considering the ills that tend to follow it like compulsive gambling, drug addiction, relationships ruined, and children who may put out on the street becuase their parents didn't know when to quit.

Also, the city will inevitably waste the tax proceeds from this potentially lucrative venture anyways, so it's almost like, what's the point? Bulldoze Underground, I'd say...

[Psykomonkee]

Originally Posted by grindin

I'm still ambivalent about the idea of a casino at Underground. For one thing, there is that pesky issue of vagrants and aggressive panhandlers in the Five Points/Underground area. They may not be necessarily dangerous, but they can scare off potential repeat customers, especially people who aren't used to the ways of a large city. My ultimate paranoid scenario is a mentally ill panhandler getting into it with someone who may have got drunk at the casino and mad about loosing their money. But who knows? I think that whole area should be gutted and rebuilt into something useful, but what do I know?

And no, I don't see DT ATL becoming anything like the Las Vegas Strip or the AC Boardwalk anytime soon, even if one casino is allowed there.

I agree with you.
That's why I say build a casino district far outside of the city. Maybe somwhere between Atlanta and Athens, like in Lawrenceville or outside of Dacula.

[DeaconJ]

Originally Posted by AcidSnake

One part of me says that it's okay to have gambling in the Underground Mall but the nanny part of me says that it may be a bad idea considering the ills that tend to follow it like compulsive gambling, drug addiction, relationships ruined, and children who may put out on the street becuase their parents didn't know when to quit.

Also, the city will inevitably waste the tax proceeds from this potentially lucrative venture anyways, so it's almost like, what's the point? Bulldoze Underground, I'd say...

Why bulldoze Underground? It's doesn't have a lot that appeals to me, not that I wouldn't go there...but just because it isn't for me doesn't mean it shouldn't be allowed to exist. Underground isn't doing badly - it simply doesn't attract huge crowds like in the beginning.

It is an area of dense buildings with historical significance. I can't imagine too many people being in favor of the bulldozer.

[DeaconJ]

Originally Posted by Psykomonkee

I agree with you.
That's why I say build a casino district far outside of the city. Maybe somwhere between Atlanta and Athens, like in Lawrenceville or outside of Dacula.

Good luck with selling the idea of a casino to the suburbs...I highly doubt Lawrenceville or Dacula residents are going to welcome a casino location in their area. I imagine most residential areas would be the same.

How about Lakewood Fairgrounds or Fort Macpherson? Those are two large pieces of land without a purpose.