Split Decision: Does Trenton need a casino?

Casino for Trenton Waterfront is a sure bet

So Walker Worthy, a candidate for Trenton mayor, thinks a casino on the Trenton waterfront would be a good idea. I happen to agree. Now sure, a casino is not going to turn Trenton into Shangri-La, and of course, yes, there’s plenty of competition for the gambling dollar in every direction, but a casino could work here.

And I want to concentrate on the “could.”

Build a casino on the waterfront and see what happens? Absolute fail. No question about it. Build a casino as part of a much, much, much (much, much, much) larger waterfront redevelopment project? Seems like a win to me.

In short: A casino in Trenton by itself would be a disaster; a casino in Trenton as part of something larger on the waterfront could help turn the city from an also-ran to an up-and-comer.

From my Feb. 27 column: “Nothing could change the course of Trenton quicker than (waterfront development). Tons of jobs, tons of tourist dollars, tons of condos, tons of restaurants, tons of fun. Expensive? Ridiculously so. But some type of public/private venture would work” and “figure out a way to capitalize on the city’s history. I mean, the Revolutionary War turned here. Battle of Trenton. Doesn’t get bigger than that. How do we not have a low-key theme park around this theme? Do I have to come up with all the ideas? Can’t we just copy and paste Colonial Williamsburg?”

Worthy seems to have similar notions. From his website: “Worthy’s plan for Trenton includes developing the city’s waterfront as a tourist draw, including a casino, and working to build on the city’s success with Patriots’ Week to grow a Heritage Tourism industry that takes advantage of Trenton’s historic role in the American Revolution and post-World War II manufacturing.”

Two things here: 1) Can I sue? These were my ideas! and 2) These ideas are so full of “duh,” the judge would throw out the case.

Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. The San Antonio River Walk. Heck, even Camden managed to pull off some waterfront development. The crown jewel of Trenton is the Delaware River. Outside of Waterfront Park, Rho and the state Board of Education building, we’ve got bupkis on the river.

It needs to be reclaimed. A thriving waterfront - with a casino, why not - would do wonders for the city of Trenton. Forget “build it and they will come.” It’s more like “we’re already here; build something.”