Environmental

The development of SugarHouse Casino results in a net positive environmental impact when the current site conditions are reviewed in detail.

The existing site is currently a vacant, underutilized, former industrial property which is environmentally impacted. A common term applied to this type of property is “Brownfield.” The majority of the site has been vacant since approximately 1980, and was previously used by the Jack Frost Sugar Company as a sugar refinery and packaging and distribution center. All buildings on the site were demolished and removed between the late 1990's and 2004. No public access to the site has existed since at least the early 19th century.

SugarHouse will remediate the 22-acre parcel to eliminate potential adverse impacts to human health and the environment. In addition, the aquatic environment for potential endangered species will be improved and enhanced. Furthermore, the general public will gain access to the Delaware River. Such access is generally absent on the Delaware River waterfront, and SugarHouse is committed to building a first-class waterfront promenade for public use.

Learn more:

• Environmental Impact Report (complete)
• Environmental Impact Report (Executive Summary)

 

Traffic

As addressed in previous descriptions, the off-site impact associated with traffic generated by the SugarHouse Casino is projected to be minimal relative to residential streets. All casino traffic will be directed to travel the main arterial roadways to the facility, and this will be accomplished by roadway improvements and way-finding signage that will be implemented by the combined efforts of HSP Gaming, the City of Philadelphia and PennDOT.

In addition, the intersections at Shackamaxon Street and Frankford Avenue will be completely reconstructed to address casino-bound traffic, as well as anticipated pedestrian foot traffic. In addition, the casino’s self-park garage and Porte Cochere have been designed to move casino-related traffic off of North Delaware Avenue and on to the site quickly. All vehicle queuing, both entering and exiting the casino, will take place within the defined property boundaries. No queuing will take place on North Delaware Avenue or any residential streets.

Learn more:

• Updated Traffic Study
• I-95 Reconstruction

 

Stormwater Conduit

As part of our Development Agreement with the City of Philadelphia, SugarHouse has agreed to fund and construct the necessary improvements associated with the Laurel Street Combined Sewer Outfall (CSO).

These improvements will include the following, as currently planned: expand the cross-sectional area of the sewer approximately 84 percent, extend an additional 11 ft. x 11 ft. culvert across North Delaware Avenue, demolish the existing low-flow chamber, construct a new low-flow chamber on the west side of North Delaware Avenue and construct a new storm water-only sewer (48-inch diameter) from the west side of North Delaware Avenue to the Delaware River.

The result of these improvements will be the elimination of sewage back-ups in basements throughout Northern Liberties and Fishtown. When SugarHouse starts construction in the near future, these improvements and the mitigation of the sewage back-ups will be remedied in a relatively short period of time.