New casino to preserve steel factory

2007-12-17 14:00:26

A disused steel factory, formerly belong to Bethlehem Steel - the company that helped to build the Golden Gate Bridge - is to be preserved by a new casino project, it has been reported.

The $800 million gaming location, to be built by Las Vegas Sands, could boost the economy in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and lead to the saving of numerous important buildings, according to the Associated Press.

Las Vegas Sands has already prevented 20 buildings in the area from being demolished.

A history professor from New Jersey Howard Gilette called the project "a terrific opportunity".

"Bethlehem tells the whole story of industrialization in America - and deindustrialization."

The casino operator, which owns The Venetian in Las Vegas and Sands Macao, had announced that it would be concentrating on its Chinese businesses in the future - but for Bethlehem it is clearly making an exception.

Spring 2009 is the scheduled opening date for the casino.