Danbury Business Owners + Officials Debate Benefits of Off-Track Betting Downtown
We had heard rumblings about this, but the story did not really grab my attention until I started talking to friends of mine who have businesses in Downtown Danbury.
Back in early April, the News Times did an article about a proposal to bring an O.T.B betting parlor to Danbury. Essentially, if it goes through the zoning commission, this is going to happen.
The off-track betting parlor would be in the upstairs portion of Two Steps Downtown Grille in Danbury on Ives Street. According to reports, Tom Devine, owner/operator of Two Steps would get an estimated $750,000 for the renovation.
Proponents of the O.T.B. coming to Danbury say it will bring money into the city. Opponents say it will attract unsavory characters to the downtown area. The public hearings on this matter have been rumored to be "heated."
We spoke to Danbury business owner and opponent Meagan Cann. Meagan is the owner of Workspace Collective on Main Street. This is what she had to say:
We also spoke to PJ Prunty, Executive Director of City Center Danbury who is for the O.T.B.
Then, we went right to the owner of Two Steps and spoke to Tom Devine.
I don't have a horse in this race -- get it? As long as they don't put in a Chuck E. Cheese, I don't give a damn. Thank you to all of our guests this morning. Tomorrow, we will question Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton about the issue. What do you think?