Slot machines appear to be headed for Laurel Park racetrack, and residents of this quiet suburban community are beginning to discuss how this approaching rivulet of the national gambling boom may change their lives.
Slots at state racetracks have been promoted by Gov.-elect Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. as a means to pay some of Maryland's swelling education costs in the face of growing revenue shortfalls. Eyeing the projected state budget shortfall, legislators seem increasingly inclined to go along.
It's hard to predict when slot machines might arrive. Even if a vote is taken during the next session of the state legislature, the machines likely would not be swallowing the coins of eager visitors at the Laurel track until 2004 or 2005.
Still, this community, perched at the intersection of Howard, Anne Arundel and Prince George's counties between Baltimore and Washington, is weighing the pros and cons.
Members of an Anne Arundel committee that allocates community impact fees paid by the racetrack took a trip to Dover Downs in Delaware about 10 days ago to gauge how slots have changed that community.
The social costs of allowing slots into the community will be substantial, predicted Kevin McGhee, pastor of Bethany Community Church and president of the Laurel Clergy Association, in a recent interview. Members of the group unanimously opposed slots in a recent informal vote, he said, although they haven't written a formal opinion.
"It's churches that typically bear the responsibility to care for the social needs that something like this would inevitably produce," McGhee said. "For the Laurel track, they'd be trying to get our own neighbors to come [and gamble]. A lot of the problems are going to be right here."
He and other members of the clergy committee fear that allowing slots will create a slippery slope. As they see it, Delaware and West Virginia tracks that have slots will add table games and other attractions to restore their competitive advantage, and Maryland will follow.
Members of the clergy group say it is taking this stance despite public opinion that is overwhelmingly in favor of slots, because residents might have been misled by the marketing in favor of the plan. "We feel obligated to be a conscience for the community," he said.
McGhee listed family breakup, gambling and drug addictions and the need for increased police presence as problems that Laurel and surrounding communities will face.
Others played down the potential for crime. "Because of where the track is located, [I] don't think there would be a major impact in terms of crime," said Jim Collins, Laurel's public information officer.
Crofton resident John Grimsley agreed. The senior manager of the Popeyes restaurant on U.S. 1 in Laurel is a former resident of Charles Town, W.Va., home of another racetrack with slots. "The racetrack has better security. The [West Virginia] state police monitors everything going on up there because it has so much attention put on it."
Compensation required
Maryland law requires racetracks to compensate surrounding communities for any negative impact or additional traffic they experience. Different amounts are paid for live racing days than those on which the track presents simulcast betting.
Howard County receives up to $500 for every day of live racing at Laurel, while Anne Arundel receives up to $2,000 and Laurel City receives up to $300.
The money must be spent within the immediate area. Howard County earmarks its share of the funds through the capital budget for projects near the park, such as streetscape improvements along U.S. 1, said county planning director Joseph W. Rutter Jr.
A committee of residents who live within a three-mile radius of the park in Anne Arundel County allocates that county's funds - usually about $350,000 to $400,000 a year, said chairman Raymond H. Szyperski.
Because of impact fees, the Maryland City at Russett branch of the Anne Arundel library will be the only branch in the county that remains open on Sundays, he said.
The fees would have to be adjusted if slots were approved, Szyperski said.
Representatives from local chambers of commerce and the city of Laurel said they were beginning to study many elements, including traffic and the potential for economic development, which could be affected.
The city of Laurel deals with increased pedestrian and vehicular traffic on race days, said Collins. The city receives $64,000 a year but has discussed, in meetings with state and track officials, the possibility of boosting that sum to $250,000, he said. Should slots be approved, the city will ask for at least that amount, he said.
Race-goers typically use Interstate 95 or the Baltimore-Washington Parkway to get to the park's main entrance on Route 198, which runs through the city of Laurel. The track also can be reached from Howard County on U.S. 1 in North Laurel.
Proposals to put a Washington Redskins stadium in the area in 1995 met with fierce opposition from Laurel residents, who felt that it would cause traffic problems.
But many residents feel that the traffic generated by slots at the track will not be significantly greater than the current level.
"Our job is not to hassle people who are here. Our job is to try to maintain the quality of life as we have now," said William J. Ferguson, zoning officer and member of the board of directors of the West Laurel Civic Association.
A boon, some say
Slots shouldn't overload traffic at any particular time of the day, said Judy Linton of The Barbecue House on U.S. 1 in North Laurel. She said she believes that slots could be a boon for local businesses. "A lot of workers are regular customers," Linton said.
Owner Melanie Sterling agreed. "If it brings revenue, bring it on," she said.
But others doubt that increased visits to Laurel Park would affect business in Laurel, particularly along Main Street.
"I don't think there will be much of a trickle-down effect," said Pat Walsh, owner of Somethings Special Cafe. "People will go to the racetrack, eat there, drink there and drive home."
"The racetrack is pretty self-contained. That's why there is the uncertainty about what this is going to do," said Bob Burdon, president and CEO of the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce.
Businesses that could see an increase are fast-food restaurants, gas stations and motels in the area, Burdon said.
Zoning review
Howard hopes to control the number of fast-food restaurants and gas stations at its approach to the Laurel track with a zoning review of the county's U.S. Route 1 corridor next year and a fresh development plan for the area.
"We're preparing for all eventualities, to have a regulatory mechanism and zoning district to accommodate whatever is driven there without encouraging a bunch of gas stations and fast-food restaurants," said Rutter, the Howard planning director. "But it would be the kind that would be promoting more urban, pedestrian-oriented" activity than "people driving to the track and stopping for a hamburger."
A consultant for Howard County considered the racetrack when devising Howard's revitalization plan for the area, he said.
Some motel operators were optimistic. "I'm hoping [slots] come here and hope it don't take four years," said Betty Comer, manager of the Turf Motel on U.S. 1 in North Laurel.
But because Laurel is 22 miles away from Washington and Baltimore - and even closer to the densely populated suburbs in between - Bharat Patel, general manager of the Quality Inn on U.S. 1 in Laurel believes that slots wouldn't affect his business. "I say it would be more day-trippers," he said. "People are not going to stay two or three days" as they would at Atlantic City.
At the very least, slot machines at Laurel Park would provide some recreation in an area that lacks entertainment, said Annie Leal, assistant manager of the Ramada Inn on U.S. 1 in North Laurel. "Sometimes [hotel guests] come here and they ask, 'What do you have around Laurel?' I say, "Baltimore and Washington, D.C."