Hollywood is asking its residents to write to Gov. Jeb Bush about slot machines
Hollywood is asking its residents to write to Gov. Jeb Bush about slot machines, and the city is paying the postage.
Many residents received letters Monday asking that they ''urge the governor to ensure that Hollywood receives its fair share of revenues.'' With each letter was a postage-paid card addressed to Gov. Jeb Bush with a printed statement asking for his help.
The city spent about $10,000 on the mailing to 20,000 residents, said Lorie Mertens, the city's Director of Intergovernmental Affairs.
Hollywood has insisted that it deserves a share of the revenues from slot machines that are expected to be installed -- eventually -- at parimutuel betting sites in neighboring cities.
City officials argue that slots players will increase traffic on city roads significantly and that under mutual-aid agreements, the city's fire and police departments will have to respond to more emergency calls.
''Hollywood won't even have a bone thrown toward it, and our taxpayers will be forced to pick up the tab,'' said Mayor Mara Giulianti. ``This is the time to draw the line in the sand and say we need help.''
Since Broward County voters approved slot machines at four parimutuel sites in March, the venues -- Hollywood Greyhound Track and Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, and Dania Jai-Alai and Pompano Park harness track -- have been waiting for the Legislature to draft rules to govern them.
So far, that hasn't happened, and the inaction has stalled building plans at the parimutuels.
Business and city leaders say they won't spend millions to get slots up and running only to have state lawmakers craft rules that might render what they installed illegal.
''People have to know things before they can make a serious commitment,'' said Hallandale Beach Commissioner Joe Gibbons, whose city includes two of the four affected parimutuels. ``And we're talking a major commitment, a major investment.''
Pompano Park already has a development agreement with Pompano Beach and is working on getting building permits for a two-story, 157,000-square-foot building with a poker room, upgraded simulcasting and two restaurants, General Manager Dick Feinberg said.
At Hollywood Greyhound, plans include a concert arena, a small theater, restaurants and a New Orleans-themed food court.
It also plans to change its name to Hallandale Beach Greyhound Track, to reflect its actual location.
Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach is moving ahead with changes proposed before slot machines were approved. A new racing facility is scheduled to open in January, including five restaurants, a sports bar and a nightclub.
The Villages at Gulfstream proposes 1,500 condominiums, shops and a 30-screen multiplex, but that large-scale development needs approval from city, regional and state officials.
WHAT PARIMUTUELS ARE PLANNING
HOLLYWOOD GREYHOUND TRACK
Plans: Concert arena, theater, restaurants, food court; name change to Hallandale Beach Greyhound Track and Mardi Gras Gaming Center; later additions could include shops and a hotel.
Cost: $90 million.
Status: No plans yet submitted to city.
POMPANO PARK HARNESS TRACK
Plans: Two-story, 157,000-square-foot building for poker tables, upgraded simulcasting and two restaurants.
Cost: More than $100 million.
Status: Has agreement with Pompano Beach, has applied for building permits.
DANIA JAI-ALAI
Plans: Owner Steve Snyder has not revealed any plans for expansion to accommodate slot machines.
GULFSTREAM PARK
Plans: New clubhouse to include five resaturants, a sports bar and a nightclub; Villages at Gulfstream, a mixture of up to 1,500 condominiums, stores and entertainment. Opening of the first phase has been pushed back to October 2007.
Cost: Clubhouse, $150 million; First phase of Villages, including about 200 homes and 400,000 square feet of retail, about $350 million.
Status: Clubhouse scheduled to open in January; Villages in the design stage. Because of its scope, the Villages must be approved by city, regional and state officials.
