One year ago, owner and operator of the proposed Live! Hotel & Casino, Stadium Casino LLC, earned the second license in Philadelphia to have the right to create a full-scale casino. The plans have continued to be worked on in the year time frame and now, Stadium Casino LLC has reached agreements with the city and community groups located near where the venue will be. These agreements include wages of workers, employment of minorities and other areas. The zoning of the property has also been endorsed by the Philadelphia City Council Rules Committee, setting the clear area of the venue.

Just a few days ago, the city and Stadium Casino reached an agreement that would begin the Economic Opportunity Plan. This plan will see more African-Americans involved in the construction of the venue as well as operation once the facility is complete. The owner of the proposed casino has also committed to hiring women-owned as well as minority business during the construction phase as well as once the casino has launched.

The casino should be creating as many as 3,000 temporary jobs and 2,000 permanent jobs with around 50% of the permanent workforce being minorities. The venue will be offering a $12 an hour minimum wage for all existing contractors.

Earlier this week, the Philadelphia City Council Rules Committee decided to endorse, unanimously, the zoning for the Live! venue, which will be located in the Stadium District of Philadelphia. The property will be developed by a partnership between Parx Casino and The Cordish Companies. The world-class project will be privately financed to the tune of $450 million and will be situated at 900 Packer Avenue. The venue will be bound at Darien Streets and 10th.

The plans for Live! Hotel & Casino include a casino floor in Las Vegas-style. The gaming floor will include over 2,000 slot machines plus more than 125 table games. The new luxury hotel will have more than 200 guest rooms with a conference center also connected to the hotel. A 2,600 space parking garage will be created as well as valet parking offered. Restaurants and entertainment venues are also included in the plans.

The COO of The Cordish Companies, Zed Smith, and the CEO of Parx Casino, Tony Ricci, commented on the zoning decision by stating: “We appreciate the confidence shown in our team by the City Council. We can’t wait to get started in creating thousands of jobs and career opportunities for the people of Philadelphia.”