Pimlico
Note: The following represents the Mt. Washington Improvement Association position on electronic gaming (slots) at the Pimlico Racetrack as it was expressed in a 2002 letter from the president of the Association at the time, John Mack, to the Northwest Baltimore Corporation (NWBC).
The Mount Washington Improvement Association Board of Directors has recently discussed the “position paper” NWBC has put forth. While our Board is generally in support of those issues broadly discussed and outlined within NWBC’s paper, we would like to further outline our specific points of interest and concern in regards to “Slots” at Pimlico Racetrack.
At our February 19th, 2002 Board Meeting, the Mount Washington Improvement Association chose to restate its long held position relative to Pimlico Racetrack and the idea of electronic gaming (“Slots”) being brought to the Pimlico Racetrack facility. As a community organization, we continue to oppose slots within the State of Maryland. However, should the State Legislature enable electronic gaming within Maryland, the MWIA would support “Slots at Pimlico Racetrack only if certain conditions important to our community are met”.
The MWIA represents a community of 1,700 homeowners located directly adjacent to and north of the Pimlico Racetrack facility. First and foremost, we believe strongly that the economic viability of Pimlico Racetrack must be maintained. The racing industry is of great importance to Maryland's economy and the Pimlico Racetrack facility occupies an important position in Mount Washington, a vital, yet vulnerable Baltimore City neighborhood.
The MWIA asks that the following occur prior to the issuance of any slot machine licenses at Pimlico Racetrack:
- Pimlico Racetrack must complete the existing Baltimore City Council Ordinance which sets forth the Planned Unit Development applicable to its facilities.
- Sufficient on-site parking at Pimlico must be provided to accommodate all visitors to the Racetrack, with access secured and limited, and with parking provided free of charge or included in the price of admission to the facility.
- Security plans must be designed with the endorsement and cooperation of the Baltimore City Police Department and the surrounding communities, and be implemented upon opening of any gaming facilities.
- The enabling legislation must contain express limits on the days and hours of operation of gaming facilities, including limits to the current racing hours of the Racetrack from 11 AM to 11PM.
- The Racing Commission or other State regulatory agency that would haw jurisdiction over gaming facilities such as Pimlico (or such as a newly created Gaming Commission) must have at least one member from the Pimlico/Mount Washington community.
- Neighborhood impact funds should be increased to 3% from 1% and should be allocated 40% to the communities surrounding Pimlico, 30% to the communities surrounding Laurel and 30% to the communities surrounding Rosecroft. Alternatives should be explored to determine the process to be established for the distribution and expenditure of neighborhood impact funds generated by gaming activities and reserved for use in the communities surrounding Pimlico. The impact funds should be administered by a local foundation, such as the Community Foundation.
... The MWIA looks forward to our continued working relationship with NWBC. Should you have any questions in regards to this information, please contact me.
Sincerely,
John W. Mack- President