Publicly support our stance on the expansion of the Casino Impact Zone to include the Southwest Partnership neighborhoods and to contact the Mayor and Senator Ferguson now to urge their support.

The Issue

The Southwest Partership includes seven neighborhoods and four anchor institutions who are working together to improve neighborhoods located between the University of Maryland and UMMC and Bon Secours Hopsital.

The Southwest Partnership has already begun a community planning process and we have just received $180,000 in grant funds toward that effort. Being included in the impact area will be critical funding for implementation.

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This petition had 72 supporters

The Issue

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The Decision Makers

Bill Ferguson,

Maryland State Senate - District 46

Responded

“ Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and concerns with me about the Casino Impact Zone. As the Chair of the Baltimore Casino Local Development Council, I have been working very closely with the Local Development Council members and the City of Baltimore to assess and address the needs of the communities most impacted by the casino development. Once the casino is up and running (expected in the Fall 2014), 5.5% of the revenues generated from the facility’s video terminals must be allocated to the mitigation of the project’s impact to communities “in the immediate proximity of the facility.” The definition of “immediate proximity” is not defined by state law and will be an issue ultimately decided upon by the Mayor of Baltimore, in consultation with the Local Development Council. It is the desire of the Local Development Council to be as inclusive as possible; and the Local Development Council’s goal has and will continue to focus on ensuring: (a) that the communities surrounding the project are not negatively impacted by the development, and (b) that we maximize the use of impact funds to facilitate the City’s ability to grow and thrive. At this point, the Mayor has presented the Local Development Council with a proposed Year 1 Spending Plan for impact funds received in FY2014 after the casino’s opening. Given the nature of the impact in the first year, these funds will likely be focused directly on the seven neighborhoods surrounding the facility. However, Baltimore City’s Planning Department is overseeing the development of a Casino Area Master Plan that will take a broader look at the potential uses of casino impact funds to enhance communities in the long-term. The Planning Department’s work is being conducted in conjunction with the Local Development Council’s consultation. As this Master Plan process continues, I urge you to bring your concerns to the Planning Department’s attention, particularly as we consider the use of funds in later years after the casino’s opening. Thank you again for reaching out to me to express your viewpoint. If you have any questions, or need additional information, please contact me. Sincerely, Bill Ferguson 46th District ”

Bill Ferguson

Maryland State Senate - District 46

Responded

Former State House of Representatives,

8 Members

Maryland

Keith Haynes

Former State House of Representatives - Maryland-44A

Shawn Tarrant

Former State House of Representatives - Maryland-40C

Melvin Stukes

Former State House of Representatives - Maryland-44C