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Gettysburg, Pa. - An Adams County businessman who was behind an effort to bring a slot machine casino to Gettysburg in 2005 is trying his luck for a second time.
David Levan, owner of Battlefield Harley Davidson, is seeking a Category III gaming license, which are granted to resorts and smaller casinos. Category III casinos are limited to 500 slot machines and are for resort guests.
If Levan can get a license, he has an option to buy the Eisenhower Resort and Conference Center on Business Route 15. He says he thinks the location is perfect and the time is right.
"If the critical issue from the state's standpoint is the need to raise money, we provide the greatest opportunity," Levan said. "It's back to the issue of proximity to the Baltimore-Washington population base. What makes these things successful is people."
Levan will face opposition. Susan Star Paddock is an organizer with No Casino Gettysburg, a group that fought the casino before and promises to battle it again. "Practically every historian in the United States signed a petition against it the last time," she said. "Isn't there a way to keep it as authentic as possible without messing it up?"
Levan will need a little legislative luck to get a license. Technically, he missed the deadline to apply, but because lawmakers are discussing table games right now, he's hoping they'll change the gaming language to increase the number of licenses or reopen the bidding process.
It should be noted that Levan grew up in Gettysburg, graduated from Gettysburg College and has contributed a lot of money to many historic preservation efforts in Gettysburg. He insists he appreciates the history, but thinks a casino would enhance the tourist experience.
David Levan, owner of Battlefield Harley Davidson, is seeking a Category III gaming license, which are granted to resorts and smaller casinos. Category III casinos are limited to 500 slot machines and are for resort guests.
If Levan can get a license, he has an option to buy the Eisenhower Resort and Conference Center on Business Route 15. He says he thinks the location is perfect and the time is right.
"If the critical issue from the state's standpoint is the need to raise money, we provide the greatest opportunity," Levan said. "It's back to the issue of proximity to the Baltimore-Washington population base. What makes these things successful is people."
Levan will face opposition. Susan Star Paddock is an organizer with No Casino Gettysburg, a group that fought the casino before and promises to battle it again. "Practically every historian in the United States signed a petition against it the last time," she said. "Isn't there a way to keep it as authentic as possible without messing it up?"
Levan will need a little legislative luck to get a license. Technically, he missed the deadline to apply, but because lawmakers are discussing table games right now, he's hoping they'll change the gaming language to increase the number of licenses or reopen the bidding process.
It should be noted that Levan grew up in Gettysburg, graduated from Gettysburg College and has contributed a lot of money to many historic preservation efforts in Gettysburg. He insists he appreciates the history, but thinks a casino would enhance the tourist experience.
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