Paolino says "SLOTS" Sign Will be Covered by Next Week

The garish and less-than-stately ”SLOTS” sign plastered on the facade of Newport Grand will soon be hidden by a banner that Joseph Paolino Jr. of Jobs for Newport said will be put up sooner than later.

In a release, Paolino said he is honoring his campaign promise to take down the sign early in an effort to prove the commitment he and other backers of a controversial casino and entertainment center proposal have to the city and residents of Newport.

“As part of the Newport Partnership, a package of community benefits that reflects the Jobs for Newport partners’ commitment to the City, the ‘SLOTS’ sign had been scheduled for removal within 30 days of a favorable vote. To get a head start on the project, the Jobs for Newport partners elected to take early action to eliminate the eyesore,” the release stated.

The SLOTS sign should be removed by mid-week next week.

The Jobs for Newport partners have proposed the addition of table games, a concert and performance center with seating for thousands, two new restaurants, a full service European spa and fitness center, and exhibition, large meeting and banquet spaces. They claim the plan would create 350 jobs and save 175 jobs currently held by workers at Newport Grand.

Opponents of the casino proposal say it’s a bad deal for the city and would not offer substantial economic benefit for the city.

Voters must approve table games at Newport Grand for the casino proposal to go forward.