“This expansion brings the total investment in Philadelphia’s first and only casino to more than $500 million,” said SugarHouse spokesman Mike Gross in an email. When asked about funding after the meeting, Cope and SugarHouse project manager Terry McKenna referred questions to the project owner. The amended plan gives the casino more flexibility – it doesn’t need that much parking garage at once, Cope said. Because it would have no sloping floors, the garage would be “more customer friendly,” he said. It would stretch out toward Delaware Avenue. The garage could later grow to about 3,000 spaces, but would not get taller, Cope said. SugarHouse wants to begin with 1,500 spaces. Under this proposal, it could be built in several phases, said project architect Cope. The current plans also require SugarHouse to build the 3,200 space garage in one phase.

The plans the commission has already approved called for all but 10 percent of the 100,000-square-foot parking lot to disappear when the garage is built. “Maybe I can come around to it, but that is not what we approved.” “I’m a little uncomforatble to that change,” she said. When the commission voted for the current plan, it was assured that most of the surface parking would “go away,” she said. She said it was not a “given,” that a shorter garage with the continuation of most of the site’s current surface parking would have a smaller impact than a taller, narrow garage would. And Commissioner Nancy Rogo-Trainer advised casino officials to bring proof that the trade would be worth it when they come back for a vote. But Tuesday’s session was for information only.

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