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FORT PIERCE — If Fort Pierce Jai-Alai & Poker gets approval to install slot machines, it would hire 500 employees and create 659 construction jobs to build a $100 million facility, according to a 29-page economic analysis released exclusively to Treasure Coast Newspapers.
Fort Pierce residents would receive hiring preference because of the city's high unemployment, said David Jonas, CEO of the fronton at 1750 S. Kings Highway.
The slots machines would be in a 55,000-square-foot casino/bar that would include a 5,000-square-foot restaurant, according to the report.
Jonas said he has talked with county officials about building a casino west of Okeechobee Road, where the county has indicated it wanted to create an entertainment district. But no decision has been made.
Lucie County Commission Chairman Kim Johnson said he supports putting the item before voters. Also in March, the Legislature considered a bill that would have grandfather-in cities and counties where voters previously approved slot machines. But no action was taken before the session ended, said Steven Vancore, project spokesman.
Before anything happens, however, jai alai owners want to gauge public opinion.
The St. Lucie County Commission is to hold a public hearing June 21, when it is to vote whether to place a slot-machine referendum on the Nov. 8 ballot.
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Even if the referendum passes, the Legislature still would need to change state law. Slots are allowed only in Broward and Miami-Dade counties and on Native American lands. Dog- and horse-racing tracks and jai alai frontons can offer poker.
In addition to new jobs, the new casino would infuse money into city and county coffers.
The jai alai owners in the first year would pay $202,101 in property taxes to Fort Pierce and $216,664 to the county under current property-tax rates. Fort Pierce and St. Lucie County also would receive impact fees — one-time charges local governments levy on new development to pay for new roads, sidewalks and libraries caused by new growth — in the amount of $180,391 for Fort Pierce and $160,620 for the county.
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While 500 new jobs would be a 'significant impact' to the community, said Pete Tesch, president of the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County, more information is needed, particularly on the type of jobs to be created.
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'We don't know a lot about the type of jobs. Will it be full-time or part-time? How many of the jobs would be minimum wage?,' Tesch asked.
For the jobs to improve the quality of life, they would have to pay more than minimum wage and offer benefits, he said.
'The higher the wages the higher the salary and the more tangible and intangible benefits we will have,' Tesch said.
About 80 percent to 90 percent of the jobs will be filled locally, Jonas said.
'The people brought from outside may be the director of security or someone who runs the day-to-day operations of the casino if we can't find someone locally with the experience we need,' Jonas said.
Fort Pierce Mayor Linda Hudson said she supports the proposition.
'The proposal sounds promising because of the substantial job creation, ' Hudson said. 'This would be a shot in the arm for the city.'
IF YOU GO
What: St. Lucie County Commission meeting
When: 6 p.m. June 21
Where: 2300 Virginia Ave., third floor commission chambers
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