Essex County Executive Joe Divincenzo Asks State Leaders to Consider Newark As a North Jersey Casino Location

by Carolyne Volpe Curley / Carolyne@WestEssexNOW.com
Published 3:50pm

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ – On Wednesday, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced that he contacted state leaders to propose the idea of having a casino in Newark, if and when gambling facilities be allowed outside of Atlantic City. Governor Chris Christie, Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto each received a letter from DiVincenzo which illustrated that developing a casino in Newark would contribute to the continued revitalization of the state’s largest city.

He also suggested that if Newark was turned down, another Essex County location could be feasible. 

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“As elected leaders, it is our responsibility
to promote projects that stimulate economic development,
job creation and quality of life, " DiVincenzo's letter read.
"We believe the development of a casino in Newark or Essex County
is an undertaking that will spur the continued revitalization and
strengthen the stability of the County and the state’s largest city.
We request that you consider Newark and Essex
as a possible location for a casino in Northern New Jersey."

The state already has considered opening a casino in Jersey City and at the Meadowlands. However, DiVincenzo believes that Newark is a better location because of the extensive transportation network that is already established; buses and trains and major highways make it easy for anyone in Northern New Jersey or New York City to reach Newark. In addition, the Newark Light Rail links the city to Newark Penn Station and Newark Liberty International Airport, making it accessible to anyone on the East Coast and internationally.

“A casino also will help continue to transform Newark
and Essex County into a destination,” the letter read.
“With the Prudential Center, NJPAC, Newark Museum, Symphony Hall and WBGO already established in the Downtown,
we already have the cultural infrastructure in place to attract diverse crowds
for athletic events, concerts and entertainment shows.
In fact, while recently I attended an ice show featuring characters from “Frozen” with my granddaughter at The Prudential Center,
it made me feel proud that I was able to enjoy such a high-quality event
right here in Newark and Essex County."

DiVincenzo pointed out that in Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware and Maryland, smaller, regionalized casinos have become successful and their locations have become tourist attractions. He believes that casino development in Newark would stimulate economic development, attract new businesses, create construction jobs and permanent casino jobs, and generate a new stream of recurring revenue for the state, county and city in terms of sales tax and property tax.

“The development of a casino most definitely will put people back to work. Despite the economic recovery on Wall Street, Newark and Essex County continue to have among the highest rates of unemployment," DiVincenzo stated. "A project of this magnitude most definitely will create
numerous construction jobs, but it will also create hundreds of permanent jobs. Establishing new, recurring streams of revenue will help the city
overcome its financial difficulties and contribute to our economic stability,” 

Further Information
County of Essex 
County Executive:  Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.
465 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard
Newark, NJ 07102
973-621-4400
Website

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