Can Gambling Revitalize The Inner City?

Detroit has become the nation's largest testing ground for urban casinos. Now Oakland, CA is considering its own inner-city gambling.

1 minute read

May 28, 2001, 8:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"In the Bay Area, the cities of Oakland and San Pablo are looking to follow Detroit's lead, angling to bring the big-money glitz of Vegas casinos to the region's urban areas. They see an unbeatable jackpot in the millions of tax dollars that would pour into city coffers, with the added bonus of creating jobs and drawing tourists.... In Oakland, Mayor Jerry Brown and City Manager Robert Bobb have visions of a casino on the former Oakland Army Base, at the foot of the Bay Bridge. Casino revenues would fuel development of a luxury hotel -- which Brown foresees as an architectural wonder designed by famed architect Frank Gehry -- and an American Indian history museum. "

Thanks to Chris Steins

Sunday, May 27, 2001 in The San Francisco Chronicle

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