Real Estate & Property Law

Cordish Plans Meet Objections

By Alan Ackerman

Last year, this blogger wrote about the plans to HAVE Maryland use its power of eminent domain to acquire race tracks which would otherwise be closed.

The problem in the process is that horse racing simply must face the challenge of the much more attractive gambling casinos expanding throughout the country. For horse racing to survive, gambling casino support and casino construction nearby will be mandatory. Horse racing may become an accessory use, but at least it will still exist with gambling casino construction nearby. Further, increase of taxes to the state is so substantial, Maryland and other states would see the benefit of having gambling tied in with the horse racing facility.

Daily Record

"This is a time when Maryland horse racing could and should be flourishing," Cordish said.

But, club President Tom Chuckas said Wednesday, "The Maryland Jockey Club is not for sale." The club announced then it would seek state approval to stop live racing at Laurel Park and run only a 40-day calendar at Pimlico around the Preakness.

"These people [Jockey Club employees] are being used as pawns and it's disgusting. It's despicable," Cordish said.

He said the state should use eminent domain powers approved in 2009 to seize control of the tracks and turn them over to another operator.

Shaun Adamec, a spokesman for Gov. Martin O'Malley, called the club's plan "disappointing," but said the governor does not have plans to take control of the tracks.

Cordish said subsidies coming from slots revenues —— 7 percent of revenues will go to purses and 2.5 percent to match investments in racetrack improvements —— will make Maryland racing viable again.

Full post as published by National Eminent Domain Blog on November 17, 2010 (boomark / email).