Chester's latest challenge

On our editorial page, we discuss the latest economic haymaker to rain down on the city of Chester.

Last week's court ruling that host city tax agreements that were part of the original law enabling casino gambling in the state was unconstitutional, basically because it set up a system that took a much heavier tax bite on smaller, boutique-style casinos.

Now it's up to the Pennsylvania Legislature to fix it.

If they don't and that host tax revenue disappears, it could sink the city for good.

Tax revenue from Harrah's accounts for a quarter of Chester's annual budget.

The city is already reeling from a state audit that suggested "drastic action" to avoid having the city placed into receivership. City officials are trying to dodge layoffs for police and firefighters.

This is about the last thing they needed.

You can read the edit here.

In the meantime, the city direly needed a bit of good news, and they found it - where else - along the city's riverfront.

The city's Major League Soccer franchise, the Union, yesterday announced a naming rights deal for their swanky new practice facility with Power Home Remodeling.

The complex, which will be called the Power Training Complex, sits next door to one of the city's crown redevelopment jewels, the refurbished Wharf at Rivertown complex.

Power Home Remodeling was one of the riverfront's first success stories, when they moved their business into the Wharf.

Just how much Power Home is paying the Union for the naming rights was not made public.

It was not that long ago that the city and Union were at odds over parking plans and a new tax proposal. At one point the team was threatening to look elsewhere to build the training facility.

Now cooler heads have prevailed and the complex includes a pair of practice fields, along with team offices, meeting rooms, lockers, weight rooms, a total of 16,500 square feet.

The entire facility if just a solid kick away from Talen Energy Stadium, where the Union plays its games in the shadow of the Commodore Barry Bridge.

It's good for the Union, and good for the city.

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