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Gettysburg Casino Debate Intensifies Amidst New Public Hearing

Posted on August 31st, 2010

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The historic site of the battle that provided the turning point of the American Civil War will be the location of another hotly contested battle – a century later, between groups that want to build a casino in the area and those that want to keep the historical integrity of the place. Each step of the plans is getting buzz, every move being scrutinized. Even the name of proposed casino is generating a debate – the plan is to name the casino after the line that separated the North and South. This proposal, currently spurring a lot of debate, is actually already the second time in five years that the town of Gettysburg is entertaining plans of putting up casinos. If the casino will triumph over all the hurdles it will go through, it will be named the Mason Dixon Resort and Casino, and it will be located on an already existing structure – a hotel and conference center that is more or less a mile away from the southern border of the Gettysburg National Military Park. As of the moment, the townsfolk have already made their individual stances clear, and even shop windows have already displayed “No Casino” and “Pro Casino” signs. There is no clear frontrunner for this debate, and it is really not yet clear whether the current figures of a million tourists that the town welcomes each year will experience a sudden increase should the project push through.

The people who have expressed support on the casino plan have said that others who are hesitant of supporting the casino because it may tread on historic ground should not worry because the planned structure will not desecrate the historic site. Moreover, the economic benefits of job creation, added tourist activity and tax revenue will surely give the area a much-needed boost. On the other side, the opponents to the casino plans argue that putting a casino will only tarnish the otherwise sterling reputation of the area, and furthermore make the town look cheap, something that the locals would not want since the historic battle that lasted for three days in 1863 saw 160,000 Confederate and union soldiers fight. A native of the historic town, Barbara Schultz, who owns an art gallery and bed and breakfast, expressed her opposition to the planned casino by saying, “It seems like a lot of people, they just want more business, they want more money to flow in the community at any cost, and that’s really upsetting.” Ms. Schultz, among others will face the development plans of David LeVan head on. Mr. LeVan is a former chairman of Conrail and a local philanthropist. He just lives in a house across the street from where the park’s visitor center and museum are located. Among his recent contributions to the community are his efforts in renovating the town’s historic Majestic Theater by donating some land owned by his family.

David La Torre, a spokesperson, stated in behalf of Mr. LeVan when the latter declined to comment that the area that covers around 6,000 acres already houses commercial establishments such as stores, hotels and fast-food restaurants, so putting up a casino will not violate any existing conditions. La Torre added that the area is too big that it can sure accommodate the resort casino plan without bothering the balance or essence of the park. LeVan’s first efforts to build a casino in the area go back to 2006. The Gaming Control Board of the state declined this plans on the grounds that putting up a casino in the area would only ruin the character of the historic battlefield. Levan’s group currently argues that the new plan would be smaller than the first, as the license they are seeking would only for the operation of 50 table games and 600 slot machines. Moreover, they argue that the hotel and conference center where they would like the casino to be located could really use a boost as it is currently struggling. A supporter of the plan is the county government itself, provided that it will be given a $1 million contribution to its treasury every year.

The debate will escalate on Tuesday as testimonies for and against the casino plans will be heard by the Pennsylvania Gambling Control Board at the Comfort Suites on Tuesday, starting at 10 a.m. Aside from Mr. LeVan, who will be given an hour to talk, other parties expected to air their sides will be the Civil War Preservation Trust and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.