The casino took a step further Tuesday night as the Paradise Township Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a preliminary land development plan for the $360 million Phase 1 redevelopment plan.

"This move keeps us moving forward to secure gaming licenses for the area," said Louis A. DeNaples, a northeastern Pennsylvania businessman who owns Mount Airy. "We will continue to work with Paradise Township to ensure Mount Airy Resort & Casino meets the needs and complements of the community without competing with Poconos' existing businesses and attractions."

Phase one of the redevelopment plan calls for the construction of a luxury 200-room resort hotel with 3,000 slot machines, four restaurants, two live entertainment lounges, an 18-hole championship golf course, an indoor swimming pool, a spa, a retail store, and covered parking facilities.

Phase one construction is estimated at $300 million, with phase two followed by a total of 5,000 slot machines, 200 luxury hotel rooms, and an expanded casino that can accommodate additional meetings, entertainment and parking facilities. The plan also provides nearly 550 acres of green space.

Supervisors have attached multiple conditions to the vote. The conditions are to sign a developer agreement that will secure local, county, state and federal permits before construction and outline the process by which Paradise Township will acquire Woodland Road from the state.  온라인카지노

Mount Airy is expected to open in the fall of 2007 after the completion of the first phase of construction. The resort will be run by a worldwide team of gaming industry executives led by Paul Henderson, the president and chief operating officer of former Caesars Atlantic City, Atlantic City Hilton, and Trump Marina Hotel and Casino. The operating team has worked for more than 50 casinos and gaming companies around the world and has an extensive background in the development, design, opening, and operation of gaming facilities.