Riparian Rights...Why waterfront access is important!
In November 2007, the City of Philadelphia granted SugarHouse Casino the rights to build on the land at the water's edge of their property at Delaware Avenue and Shackamaxon Street.
Since that time, some have argued against granting SugarHouse permission to use those lands, alleging that permission can only be granted by the state Legislature.
While this may seem like a rather esoteric argument, at issue here is whether development along the waterfront should include public access to the waterfront.
If for some reason, SugarHouse is denied the ability to build on these lands by the state Legislature, not only will it damage the quality of our project, but it will also ensure that the public continues to be denied access to the waterfront at that location.
Please take a moment to review the information below about riparian rights and if you agree that SugarHouse should have the rights to build on these lands, please let our elected officials know.
What are riparian lands?
Riparian land is found adjacent to bodies of water such as streams, creeks, rivers or wetlands. The lands may actually be under water either completely or partially.
What is on the riparian lands now?
There remains industrial debris on the riparian lands from previous businesses that operated on the site. Download current pictures of the site >>
How any acres of riparian land does SugarHouse need?
Approximately 11 acres of the SugarHouse site - or just under half of the site - qualify as riparian lands.
What does SugarHouse intend to do with the riparian lands?
The most important part of the SugarHouse development on riparian lands is the public waterfront promenade. Download a rendering of the promenade >>
Under the development agreement Sugarhouse reached with the City of Philadelphia, the promenade will be open to the public, allowing access to the waterfront for the first time in decades.
Can SugarHouse build a facility without riparian lands?
Yes, although we do not believe the design will be as nice as the one with riparian rights. Among other things, denial of permission to build on the riparian lands will increase the likelihood that the facility is taller and significantly closer to the road.
Will SugarHouse pay less for riparian rights to the City than it would to the state?
No, it will pay more.
Under the state riparian rights model, the fee for our riparian rights would be roughly $2.6 million based on a $5 per square foot price. However, because developers are eligible for credits against the fee being charged for any spending on things that have a public benefit - such as road, sewer and traffic infrastructure - SugarHouse would pay $250,000, the minimum charge allowable.
When we received our license from the City of Philadelphia, we paid the license fee totaling $282,270 - more than $30,000 more than we would have paid under the state model. Download the June 12, 2007 letter from the Department of General Services to the Legislature >>
Why won't the riparian lands be developed if SugarHouse can't build on them?
Under Pennsylvania, only the owner of the land adjacent to the riparian lands may obtain the riparian rights and build on them. If SugarHouse doesn't obtain the riparian rights, no one else can obtain them and the riparian lands will remain undeveloped.
What does it mean if the riparian lands aren't developed?
It means that visitors to SugarHouse will look across muddy lands to the water, but be unable to approach the water's edge. For example, those who want to use a water taxi or their own boat to travel to SugarHouse won't be able to.
It also means that the public will be denied access to the waterfront for the foreseeable future.