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Frequently Asked Questions

Now that Foxwoods has a casino license, what will happen next?

Foxwoods Casino Philadelphia will continue working with the city, state and surrounding neighborhoods. Foxwoods expects to begin preparing the site for actual construction in the first half of 2007, recruiting and hiring the executive team and vendors, and setting up the Special Services District to support projects chosen by local residents. The first phase of the project will include restaurants, retail and 3,000 slot machines that will be open to the public in the fall of 2008.

What are the three phases of the project?

The first phase of the project will include 3,000 slot machines, a 2,000-seat showroom, a 4,200-space parking garage, an entertainment lounge, retail shops and food and beverage offerings. Phase I will cost $560 million, including the license fee and land.

The second phase will create the Riverfront Promenade and Pier 60 entertainment district, featuring additional nightlife, casual dining, boutique shopping and a water taxi. It will also include space for 2,000 additional slot machines, additional food and beverage offerings, and provide 1,200 more parking spaces. Phase II will cost $223 million.

The third phase will include a first-class 500-room hotel, 21,000-square-foot full service spa, meeting and conference room space and potential residential condominium tower. Phase III will cost $203 million.

Where exactly will this project be located and why was this site selected?

The Foxwoods Casino Philadelphia project will be on what is now a blighted, 16.5-acre site that closes the public off from the river's edge. The site is bound by Reed Street, Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Tasker Street and the Delaware River.

This site was selected because it is the strongest site available for this project. The site has been considered a casino location for more than a decade, and is situated in a heavy commercial district that is buffered by I-95 from the nearby residential area. The site also has easy access to and visibility from 1-95 and the New Jersey bridges; it is close to downtown Philadelphia and the Sports Complex, and it also will make a strong anchor to development along the waterfront in support of the city's plan to revitalize this key area.

Will this project need zoning and building permits and does it comply with regulations?

The project will require permits for construction; however, the project, as designed, complies with all existing zoning and building regulations applicable to the site.

What does the South Philadelphia neighborhood receive from this project?

We chose this area for a reason. We like South Philadelphia, we like who it is, its traditions, and its network of unique neighborhoods. We dont want that to change. To support that philosophy, we have pledged our support to the creation of a Special Services District. Foxwoods will work with the community to determine funding levels to annually support a number of initiatives identified by the community, including traffic mitigation, education, security and safety, additional city services and senior citizen programs. The community will manage the Special Services District. The local community will also benefit from the Foxwoods commitment to fill 95 percent of the 950 permanent jobs created at the casino with Philadelphia area residents. As a neighbor, we want to do our part to contribute to an already strong community. We also want to maintain an office in the community to ensure our ties to the neighborhood remain strong and vested.

How will the project provide the substantial boost to the regions economic activity and tax revenues that everyone has been discussing?

The project, when completed, will attract millions of people each year for day and overnight trips to Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Greater Philadelphia Tourism and Marketing Corporation have announced plans to incorporate the casinos into their marketing campaigns, which will help generate substantial visitor spending. Casino visitors will dine at restaurants, shop in local stores, book hotel rooms, use cabs and other services here in Philadelphia rather than other locations like Atlantic City. This will increase the economic activity and enhance employment throughout the region each year. The city and state will see an increase in the tax revenues collected on hotels, entertainment, restaurants and other things because of the increased economic activity. Increased tax revenues will provide the city and state more resources for local schools, roadway projects, police, fire and other basic services. Prior to the casino opening, the three phases of construction will also create a boost to the region's economic activity and related tax revenues. The casino will create a substantial number of permanent jobs in the region as well. All these benefits are in addition to Foxwoods paying 54 percent of its gross revenues in taxes to the government, which will fund property tax relief and other government operations.

What if I dont gamble, what is there for me to do at the casino?

Foxwoods Casino Philadelphia has been designed to appeal to a wide variety of audiences, including those who do not play slot machines. When complete, the facility will feature a spa, retail shopping, music and other entertainment venues, a hotel, and various dining opportunities along a section of the Delaware River waterfront that previously was inaccessible to the public.

How can I access the waterfront and other amenities?

For those interested in just taking in the sights on the Delaware River, there will be direct access to the waterfront and the opportunities it will offer.

How do I apply for a job with Foxwoods Casino Philadelphia?

Foxwoods will create 950 permanent jobs to operate the casino and intends to fill 95 percent of these jobs with people from the Philadelphia area. To accomplish that hiring goal, Foxwoods has already hosted local job fairs and will host additional job fairs in 2007. Eventually, Foxwoods will have a support office in South Philadelphia that will provide career information. In the coming months, we will post information and an on line application process on our website, (FoxwoodsPA.com).

Our executive staff will be brought on approximately one year before opening. This project will provide a range of career opportunities, including finance, security, marketing, human resources, retail and hospitality. Foxwoods is working with a number of local job training organizations to place local people in jobs created by the project. The new opportunities created by Foxwoods will offer compensation above the average wages in the hospitality industry and offer a competitive benefits package that includes medical and dental.

At Foxwoods, we are not looking to just fill jobs; we are interested in working with our employees to create career paths and a supportive work environment. Our 80 percent employee retention rate demonstrates our commitment to that philosophy.

How can local business owners become vendors for the casino?

Businesses will receive support to become Foxwoods vendors. Generally, casino regulatory requirements include a vendor certification process. Foxwoods will host vendor information fairs to help businesses benefit from the projects service needs and navigate the process for becoming a vendor.

Who are the owners of the Foxwoods Casino Philadelphia project?

Philadelphia Entertainment and Development Partners, L.P. (PEDP) owns the project and the eventual casino. PEDP is a joint venture between the lead investor, Washington Philadelphia Investors, L.P., which owns a 70 percent share of the venture, and Foxwoods Development Company, L.L.C., which owns a 30 percent share. Washington Philadelphia Investors is a limited partnership between a group of investors, including three philanthropic organizations set up specifically to channel proceeds from the casinos operation to charities, as well as a diverse group of primarily local investors. Foxwoods Development Company is a Delaware limited liability company established by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation to build and manage casinos. Foxwoods is known for its expertise in developing and managing casinos and currently operates the worlds largest casino in Connecticut.

I've heard that Foxwoods is giving 42% of its profits to charitable causes, how does this work?

The lead local investors in this project have made an irrevocable commitment to permanently fund charitable causes from their share of the project's profits. A total of 42 percent of the project's profits will fund local charitable causes, with a focus on disadvantaged children in Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. Contributions from the project are estimated to be between $200 and $300 million over a ten-year period, an unprecedented commitment to the community.

Foxwoods lead local investors in this project saw gaming in Pennsylvania as a unique way to generate funds that could benefit underserved people in our region. The Rubin Family Charitable Trust, The Silver Family Charitable Trust and Ed Snider have committed to donating 100 percent of the profits they receive from their casino investment to charitable causes. The Rubin Family Charitable Trust and The Silver Family Charitable Trust are newly established entities to support disadvantaged people through the profits generated from all elements of this project, including the casino, restaurants, retail and hotel. Ed Sniders Youth Hockey Foundation existed prior to gaming, and he intends to use his proceeds to support that organization.

How will the project address traffic concerns in the area?

Traffic issues are a shared concern for the South Philadelphia community and for Foxwoods Casino Philadelphia. Our plan is to make traffic conditions on South Columbus Boulevard better than they are today. Foxwoods is undertaking this mission for two reasons, one, to be a good neighbor, and two, to make sure our customers return to enjoy our casino again. Working with the city and the commonwealth, our traffic engineers have developed strong solutions consistent with the standards set forth by the Institute of Transportation Engineers. The solutions involve, among other ideas, widening streets, double turn lanes, new signals, supporting the construction of new highway access ramps, shuttle services and public transportation. Our traffic engineers have identified a plan that addresses existing problems and mitigates traffic issues related not only to our project, but to other present venues as well as future developments.

We have a very compelling reason to make travel to and from the casino flow well: Foxwoods is investing $986 million in this project and our customers will have another casino option only one mile away. We are making this investment because we are confident our traffic solutions will work for everyone.

How will a casino in my neighborhood affect my property values?

In the January 8, 2006 edition of the Daily News, local real estate professionals stated that the Foxwoods Casino Philadelphia project will help improve property values in the area. The Foxwoods Casino Philadelphia site on South Columbus Boulevard will provide public access to the water, and rejuvenate the entire South Central Delaware River waterfront by stimulating positive growth on an abandoned industrial site, and on underutilized adjacent sites. The casino will bring new dining and entertainment options and provide employment, all of which positively affect property values. Foxwoods Casino Philadelphia is working with its traffic engineers to make the traffic flow even better than it does today and to provide ample on-site parking. All of these factors make it very likely that property values will appreciate in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Won't a casino in my neighborhood bring with it more crime?

A study completed by the Philadelphia Gaming Advisory Task Force concluded that there is no correlation between casinos and an increase in crime rates, including violent and property crime. The Task Force studied the FBI statistics for the crime rates in three other cities that offer casino gambling, Atlanta, New Orleans and Detroit. An analysis of the statistics before the casinos opened and after found no basis to conclude that casino activity causes crime.

Foxwoods Casino Philadelphia though still intends to coordinate closely with the Philadelphia Police Department and other first responders on deployment and any training assistance needs, in addition to our commitment to supporting a Special Services District.

Will Foxwoods be open on a 24-hour basis?

Foxwoods Casino Philadelphia intends to operate on a 24-hour a day basis. Research has shown that 24-hour operations alleviate many of the public nuisance issues such as loitering and noise pollution associated with casinos that have set closing times. Atlantic City officials cited decreases in public safety issues when casinos became 24-hour operations. Set closing times contribute to traffic jams and vehicular accidents as casino workers and patrons all converged on roads and exits at the same time.

Will Foxwoods be serving alcohol 24 hours a day, seven days a week?

Foxwoods will abide by and adhere to Pennsylvania law on this issue.

What measures is Foxwoods putting in place to help people with gambling problems?

Foxwoods has put together a comprehensive Responsible Gaming Policy which has been submitted to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Our stated purpose is to provide people with entertainment; Foxwoods is concerned about any customers involvement in gaming to the point that it is becoming a problem for that customer.

How can I get more information or ask questions of Foxwoods about the project?

You may contact Foxwoods by calling 215.854.6359, or sending questions or comments via e-mail to FoxwoodsPA@mptn.org.