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Opponents Leave Washington State Casino Homeless

"The company's reversal left casino developer John Vertrees of Seattle wondering what to do next. `We spent a lot of money' on the project, he said. The canceled deal also left Safeway with some `irrevocable costs' and frustrations with county officials.

"But community leaders had doubts about how a casino would affect the White Center business district, which the neighborhood is trying to revitalize. `We're not sure a casino would be a good fit for it right now,' said Russ Pritchard, president of the White Center Chamber of Commerce.

"…Vertrees wanted to redevelop the store into a restaurant with a lounge and meeting rooms; a portion of the building would also feature a so-called `minicasino' with gaming tables. The business would have employed about 170, Vertrees estimated.

"…Several community groups, including the chamber of commerce, asked King County Executive Ron Sims to delay the casino so the neighborhood would have more time to study the proposal, Pritchard said.

"Sims responded with a letter to Safeway that said `a casino would be inconsistent with your community commitment and would greatly undermine our genuine efforts to strengthen the neighborhood.'

"…Greg Sparks, president of Safeway's Seattle division, on June 6 mailed a letter to Sims, assuring him that the company did not want to jeopardize its relationship with the community and would cancel the casino proposal…"

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