Cordish Companies of Baltimore recently revised redevelopment plans for the Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park, owned by Caesars Entertainment, in Florida, adding a 1.5 million square-foot warehouse facility. Cordish officials said the facility would add 1,200 jobs. They explained, due to Covid-19, the need for office space has been reduced; therefore the proposed office component of the project has been downsized to accommodate a larger industrial facility to meet the growing demands of e-commerce companies.
Cordish announced last year it was partnering with Eldorado Resorts, now known as Caesars, to develop a “world-class, mixed-use hospitality destination” to be called Live! Resorts Pompano, on the 223-acre site of a casino and harness racetrack. The project would include upscale retail, dining, 4,100 multifamily units, 950-room hotel, movie theater and 300-seat arena. The casino would remain but the racetrack would be converted into a lake and open space, but maintain its gaming license by switching to jai-alai. The project would be built over 10 years, officials said.
The Pompano Beach City Commission approved the first reading of the amended development plan on September 8 and a second reading is scheduled for October 27. At that time, Cordish officials are expected to explain in more detail the size and scope of the proposed industrial facility and the expected increase in traffic in response to area residents’ complaints that they did not receive prior notice about the addition of the industrial park. Mayor Rex Hardin said, “I didn’t get a single positive email on this project.”
City commissioners also want Cordish to name the company that would operate the industrial facility. Developer attorney Debbie Orshefsky and Cordish Chief Executive Officer David Cordish previously said they could not identify the company due to a non-disclosure agreement. The rumor mill has named Amazon or Walmart, however, Amazon earlier asked the city for clearance to build a delivery station at a different location.
