Published: January 06, 2009 09:03 pm      

NEW: DNR sets strict conditions for Rocky Gap gambling parlor

CUMBERLAND — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Maryland Economic Development Corp. have come out with a location and set of development conditions for the video lottery terminal near Rocky Gap State Park.

The new facility will be located on land currently leased by MEDCO for operation of Rocky Gap Lodge & Golf Resort. The building must be a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design gold certified green building, separate from the lodge and at least 200 feet from the shoreline. It will also be subject to specific architectural and landscaping conditions.

Bob Brennan, executive director of MEDCO, said the site was selected after analyzing what MEDCO believed a gaming company would want to use.

“We heard from gaming companies that they wanted to be as close to the front door of the lodge as possible,” Brennan said.

He said the site was validated years ago when a gaming operator came in to look at it.

“By locating near the existing lodge and requiring environmentally-friendly features such as LEED gold certification and green energy and site design, the video lottery facility will compliment the existing resort,” said Eric Schwaab, DNR deputy secretary. “With these special conditions, the new facility’s impact on the lake and outdoor recreation at Rocky Gap State Park will be minimized.”

Brennan said the solicitation of bids is occurring through the Maryland State Lottery. He said the process began in December and responses are due by Feb. 1. The slots facility location commission will then review applications.

“Whoever wins the bid will still need to negotiate with MEDCO and DNR and some other parties to be able to obtain the right to use the site,” Brennan said.

He said the additional standards for construction are there to ensure the new facility is consistent with the construction of the existing hotel as well as aesthetically pleasing.

“We’re smack-dab in the middle of a state park, we’re not going to allow 40-foot neon signs,” he said. “We need to make sure that as proposals come in the applicants understand this.”

Some of the special conditions include reforestation of the area. If any trees are removed for the facility’s construction, the licensee must replant lost forestland with American Chestnut trees to meet a “no net loss” standard.

Another special condition is a replacement aviary facility. Because the current aviary may be impacted, the licensee is required to construct a replacement aviary facility at a location determined suitable by the Maryland Park Service.

Licensees also have the optional task of including a scenario of acquiring all of the existing facilities in their proposal. These scenarios would be subject to agreement with the DNR and MEDCO and approval by the Board of Public Works.

On Nov. 4, Maryland voters approved a constitutional amendment legalizing slot machines at five locations across the state, including 1,500 machines at Rocky Gap.