Miami-Dade Seeks Local Review Of Casinos

MIAMI (CBS4)- Potentially slowing down the addition of resort casinos, Miami-Dade County is calling for lengthy local reviews of casino projects that might be authorized by state lawmakers.

Miami-Dade wants lawmakers to mandate a 12- to 18-month local review process that would include looking at issues such as land use, infrastructure and economic impact, South Florida Business Journal reported.

One potential operator of a mammoth "destination" resort casino, Genting Group, has already bought land in Miami that could house such a project. The Genting Group, developers of mega-casinos around the world, has already paid $235 million for the Herald building and a surrounding ten acres.

On Tuesday, CBS4 reported that The Dade Heritage Trust(DHT), an influential historic preservation group, has voted to pursue an historic designation for the Herald building from the city of Miami.

If the city approves the designation, the building could not be razed and its exterior could not be altered.

Read more here: Downtown Casino Hits Historical Snag

Lawmakers during the upcoming 2012 session will consider bills that could allow up to three resort casinos in the state, though it remains unclear whether the controversial proposals will pass.

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