Poconos Resort Owner Unveils Plans for Hotel/Casino

Louis DeNaples, principal of Mount Airy Resort & Casino in Pennsylvania's Poconos region, unveiled details of his plans for a $360 million resort and casino complex. DeNaples in a statement said he wanted the new Mount Airy to complement existing Poconos attractions, "not compete with them. Done right, Mount Airy will once again be the economic engine for the entire region." The site of the former Mount Airy Lodge, which closed several years ago after being one of the region's mainstays for decades, is where the resort may be built. The first phase of plans for the new resort calls for the construction of a 200-room luxury hotel, gaming and entertainment complex housing 3,000 slot machines, two live entertainment lounges, an 18-hole championship golf course, an indoor pool, and spa and retail shops. A second phase would add 5,000 slot machines and 200 luxury hotel rooms. Earlier this month, local officials voted to recommend that Phase I of the plan be approved. The resort is expected to open in fall 2007.