Stoosh, maybe I'm reading it all wrong, but are you saying it could be a two horse race between the IOC and Barden, with Barden's only concerns being the Steelers? And that PITG could very well end up with the license.
The worst thing that could happen is a delay though. I just want an answer today so we can start celebrating for the IOC, or move forward with Plan 'B'. YOu know if they delay, it will be pushed off until after the holidays into January. That would be horrible for the PEns.
Based on what I heard, I wouldn't call it two-horse race between IoC and Barden. My buddy's connection said that no one really has any idea who is going to win this (which is good for IoC in a way because it shows that gaming board is at least listening).
A few things to add...
1. I think this all means that Forest City is nowhere near the slamdunk that some thought it would be, including the FC people themselves. I've read before that there was a rumor that some members of the gaming board were put off by FC's rather arrogant approach to the entire process. My buddy's connection pretty much confirmed it. Basically, there are members of the gaming board who believe that FC just kind of half-assed the whole thing, from their initial presentations to the way they handled much of the paperwork to their overinflated revenue projections to the way they pooh-poohed the traffic problems at the hearings here in September. You know the phrase "just doing enough to win?" It's almost like FC thought they'd be able to sign up Harrah's, throw out some numbers that were just better than the others, and that would be enough. Some members of the gaming board were not thrilled because they believe FC vastly underestimated their competition and kind of came across like they regarded the gaming board as idiots.
2. There are other concerns with Majestic Star - notably, their plan doesn't call for a temporary casino (the other two have temp. casinos built into their plans), and that would delay the arrival of slots here by a year or so. I've also heard that the gaming board loves their location.
3. I can't stress this enough...the traffic situation with FC is much more important to this board than people realize. They are concerned about traffic tie-ups on weekends, particularly during the evening and nighttime hours when traffic is at it's heaviest on the South Side. And again, the board was not thrilled with Forest City's very cavalier approach to finding a realistic solution.
4. One more thing that cannot be stressed enough here. The gaming board is fully aware of the public perception of these plans. For reasons other than the arena, they know the IoC is the popular plan and they understand all the concerns that the people have with the FC plan.
Also, a delay on its face would be problematic for IoC because the Pens are essentially on a timetable here. But I heard more than a few people say yesterday that if Forest City is going to win this thing, they have to win it today. If this goes to a delay, it would indicate some very serious reservations about the FC plan.
I'm not expecting a delay. I heard some gaming people on the news this morning talk about it and all of them said a delay is very unlikely.
