The hearing came less than a month after developers disclosed that they now want to build the casino on the old Maryland Chemical Co. property off Russell Street, rather than on a smaller parcel on Stockholm Street. With the larger site, they said they would be prepared to open the casino with 3,750 slot machines. They also said they would be prepared to amend their application to include more machines - and pay the state $19.5 million more in application fees, for a total of $22.5 million - by the end of September.
The commission took no action Wednesday. Fry said the panel is working to decide whether to approve the application by year's end.
During an hourlong presentation, BCEG representatives also said:
* Celebration Casino would be designed to celebrate Baltimore, from the food served to the graphics on buses that shuttle patrons to and from downtown hotels.
* Besides a 200,000-square-foot casino, BCEG intends to construct a five-story, 2,500-space garage east of the casino. The garage would be also available for Ravens home games.
* For drivers, the main access to the casino and its garage from Russell Street would be from a widened Bayard Street, with possible secondary drive-in access from Worcester Street. The main pedestrian entrance to the casino would be from Warner Street, which would be closed to traffic.
* Local development team members include Kevin Johnson of Commercial Interiors in Hanover, construction; STV, engineers; James Britton, food and beverage service; and Sandy Hillman Communications, media relations.
