Signed agreement cause for optimism
HILLSVILLE, Pa.
The possibility that a racetrack/casino will be developed in the north part of the township “looks better than it’s looked for a long time,” said Mahoning Township Supervisor Gary Pezzuolo.
Pezzuolo, speaking after Tuesday’s supervisors’ meeting, said that the three supervisors had an informal meeting last week with several persons involved in American Harness Tracks Inc., the Pittsburgh company that submitted the winning bid in the bankruptcy sale of the Valley View Downs “racino” project, which is off U.S. Route 422. He said American Harness Tracks is moving ahead and has applied for the harness racing license held by Valley View Downs.
Once this is done, they plan to apply for the casino license, he said.
The township’s Solicitor, Louis Perrotta, displayed a sales agreement for Valley View Downs which was signed and completed June 9 by American Harness Tracks. He said the signed agreement is cause for optimism.
In addition, Greg DelPrincipe of Township Engineers RAR said that the township is waiting to hear in July whether it has received additional PennVest funding which it needs to complete a sanitary sewer system which is currently under construction.
Phase II of the system, which would take in the racetrack, is currently on hold because of the uncertainty surrounding the development.
The township has repeatedly applied for these funds and been turned down.
However, officials believe that the signed agreement may make a difference in obtaining additional funds, which are competitively awarded.
DelPrincipe said the sanitary-sewer plan could be amended quickly if the racetrack begins construction.